Hidden Gems & Offbeat Destinations

• Alamparai Fort (near Kadappakkam, Tamil Nadu, approx. 50 km from Pondicherry):

• • Significance: Though technically in Tamil Nadu, it's a popular offbeat day trip from Pondicherry. This ruined fort, built in the late 17th century by the Mughals, overlooks the Bay of Bengal.
  • What to See: The crumbling walls, remnants of a dockyard that once stretched into the sea (used for exporting salt, ghee, and zari cloth), and watchtowers. The fort offers panoramic views of the backwaters and the sea.
  • Experience: It's a picturesque spot, especially at sunrise or sunset, ideal for photography and quiet contemplation away from crowds. Boating in the surrounding backwaters is also possible.