What to Do
For those coming to Pondicherry expecting a Goa-like place there is likely to be a great deal of disappointment. Unlike Goa, Pondicherry does not have a commercial infrastructure to entertain tourists. Pondicherry is a great place to look around, take a walk by the sea, attend a cultural program... The pace of like in Pondicherry is something that will strike a city dweller immediately. And you can't adjust to that you are going to in for a rude shock.
The Pondicherry tourism department uses the punch-line "Give time a break" for their advertisement campaign. And that is indeed one of the more attractive features of this city. So relax, put your feet up, switch off your cell phone, and forget all about returning to work on Monday morning. Enjoy a fine meal with a glass of wine, rent a bicycle and take a ride at the promenade, take a walk in the park. Do something new an interesting that you wouldn't do in the city you live in. Learn some pottery at the Golden Bridge Pottery...
You can also do some serious meditation at the Auroville, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Or you could visit Aurovilleto watch a cultural event such as a dance organized there by the Auroville Cultural Exchange. You can also go fishing in a Kattaraman- fishing raft of sorts.