Sita Cultural Center
Sita Cultural Center
Sita Cultural Center
4.5
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Sunday
6:45 AM - 9:30 AM
About
Sita Cultural centre welcomes you in Pondicherry to discover Indian and western traditions. We're glad to offer you various activities: Yoga and dance, Pondy Cycle Tour, Indian cooking class, Kolam and Mehendi, Pilates, massages… Our teachers are able to give class in French or in English. Come, discover and practice Arts! INDIAN TOURISTS Sita Cultural centre welcomes you in Pondicherry to discover Indian and western traditions. If you’re here for a short stay, we have a large range of activities available: our best seller, the Pondy Cycle Tour is made for you. For information on the dedicated TripAdvisor page of the PCT. Also you can have a Cheese cooking class: an experience of the occidental cheese making methods, with a French professional. We offer western massages too: Thai and foot reflexology. Our teachers are both Indian and French, they would be able to give class in English. Come, discover and practice Arts!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
223 reviews
Excellent
183
Very good
25
Average
7
Poor
4
Terrible
4
Road41058559831
2 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
Went for the saree draping workshop and had such a lovely time with Mrs. Lakshmi. She's very passionate about her work and an enthusiastic teacher. We started off with some history about sarees, and what to look out for when shopping for one. Then we moved on to actually draping sarees from her collection. She explained everything step-by-step, demonstrating different styles. You can also pick some accessories to complement your look, and finally get some nice pictures clicked!
Written 29 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
veronique B
Paris, France56 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
I spent two weeks in pondi and enjoyed many activities at the Sita Center. I took Bollywood classes, Yoga classes, ballet classes and the traditional Indian dance Baratha Natyam. I can't say enough about this incredible place! All of the teachers were AWESOME, especially Fleur, the ballet and traditional dance teacher - she was patient, kind, had a wealth of knowledge about Indian dance and more specifically the dances of Southern India, and she is a beautiful dancer so it was really lovely to see her demonstrate these difficult dances. if you feel like you need to move or you want to discover something culturally different, you should definitely try this traditional dance! About the Yoga class : there's something pretty incredible about lying on a yoga mat on a rooftop in India and hearing the call to the Mosque, followed by the Church bells of the nearby Cathedral... How incredible is that?? These classes were just awesome, a great experience, a good workout and lots of fun!
ALSO : The Pondy Wake-Up Cycle Tour was INCREDIBLE!!!! This was so much fun!! I admit I didn't really want to go because it was so early and we had already been in town for a while... but this experience was priceless!! The lovely lady giving the tour speaks perfect English and French, she was super sweet and funny, super knowledgeable, and we got to see some really interesting things we would have never seen otherwise and even talk to people, buy food at the market and find out about certain customs, find out more about the different churches/religions in Pondi and how the people interact. It was really, really interesting AND fun! And it ended with a beautiful breakfast in Sita's courtyard! I highly recommend this to couples, friends and families!! And don't worry, the biking isn't too scary and it's super safe... we were not great bikers and we were totally fine!! And those beautiful vintage bikes are awesome!!
Lastly my friend had a massage there and she said it was wonderful... so this place has it all! My only warning would be to take A LOT of mosquito repellent with you because you will get bitten during the classes - but this is a problem in the entire city, so beware of those mosquitoes wherever you go, especially when you dine out at night!
Sita was our regular hangout during our whole stay, I can't recommend it enough, the whole staff is awesome, super friendly, super sweet and welcoming.... you must go!!
Désolée je n'ai pas le courage de tout traduire, mais pour résumer : les cours de Sita sont super, les profs sont excellents (et particulièrement Fleur, qui donne les cours de ballet et les cours de danse indienne traditionnelle!), l'endroit est accueillant, sympa, tout le personnel est adorable... Bref, il faut absolument y aller et découvrir cet endroit génial!! Que ce soit pour un cours de yoga ou de Baratha Natyam (à découvrir absolument!), ou pour un massage, ou pour faire la visite guidée à vélo (absolument génial, n'hésitez pas une seconde, OUI ÇA VAUT LE COUP!!! vous ne regretterez pas!)... n'hésitez pas une seconde, ce sera une expérience formidable, dans un lieu sympa, et vous serez bien encadré par des gens professionnels, gentils et bien renseignés.... Bref, gros coup de coeur pour ce centre culturel qui est devenu notre QG pendant nos semaines à Pondi. Il faut absolument participer aux activités offertes et faire la visite à vélo!!!
Merci à toute l'équipe de Sita pour leur accueil, leur bonne humeur et les bons moments passés sur leur toit!! :)
ALSO : The Pondy Wake-Up Cycle Tour was INCREDIBLE!!!! This was so much fun!! I admit I didn't really want to go because it was so early and we had already been in town for a while... but this experience was priceless!! The lovely lady giving the tour speaks perfect English and French, she was super sweet and funny, super knowledgeable, and we got to see some really interesting things we would have never seen otherwise and even talk to people, buy food at the market and find out about certain customs, find out more about the different churches/religions in Pondi and how the people interact. It was really, really interesting AND fun! And it ended with a beautiful breakfast in Sita's courtyard! I highly recommend this to couples, friends and families!! And don't worry, the biking isn't too scary and it's super safe... we were not great bikers and we were totally fine!! And those beautiful vintage bikes are awesome!!
Lastly my friend had a massage there and she said it was wonderful... so this place has it all! My only warning would be to take A LOT of mosquito repellent with you because you will get bitten during the classes - but this is a problem in the entire city, so beware of those mosquitoes wherever you go, especially when you dine out at night!
Sita was our regular hangout during our whole stay, I can't recommend it enough, the whole staff is awesome, super friendly, super sweet and welcoming.... you must go!!
Désolée je n'ai pas le courage de tout traduire, mais pour résumer : les cours de Sita sont super, les profs sont excellents (et particulièrement Fleur, qui donne les cours de ballet et les cours de danse indienne traditionnelle!), l'endroit est accueillant, sympa, tout le personnel est adorable... Bref, il faut absolument y aller et découvrir cet endroit génial!! Que ce soit pour un cours de yoga ou de Baratha Natyam (à découvrir absolument!), ou pour un massage, ou pour faire la visite guidée à vélo (absolument génial, n'hésitez pas une seconde, OUI ÇA VAUT LE COUP!!! vous ne regretterez pas!)... n'hésitez pas une seconde, ce sera une expérience formidable, dans un lieu sympa, et vous serez bien encadré par des gens professionnels, gentils et bien renseignés.... Bref, gros coup de coeur pour ce centre culturel qui est devenu notre QG pendant nos semaines à Pondi. Il faut absolument participer aux activités offertes et faire la visite à vélo!!!
Merci à toute l'équipe de Sita pour leur accueil, leur bonne humeur et les bons moments passés sur leur toit!! :)
Written 8 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Well! thanks you so much Veronique for your such enthusiastic review!
We were blessed to have you and are really glad that you enjoyed your experience so much!
I personnally hope you will find great Indian dance class back home!
Written 10 February 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Keith
Sydney, Australia5 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
Great place for learning Southern Indian cooking. Our group of four joined one of the cooking classes that was half a day long. It involved going to the local market, learning about the various essential spices and staples used in Indian cooking, deciding and buying our ingredients and cooking a main and dessert, all under the tutelage of a very friendly multi-lingual guide and a great home-cooked meal to boot.
Can't recommend enough.
Can't recommend enough.
Written 23 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Varonjy
32 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
Class started at 10am. Instead of a welcoming and short introduction we suddenly were asked to enter two rickshaws that were standing in front of the building. After a short ride we got out at the local market. After the explanation of a few spices we began talking about the menu. From six people it was clear, that 3 only would eat vegetarian. My friend and me stated we were not vegetarians but would prefer veg (as we knew, meat would be bought at the market). However, the teacher (whos name has never been revealed to us) decided to cook one veg and one non-veg course. For sure, seeing how a chicken on the market is being bought, may be nothing for animal-lovers, as it is being prepared without any cooling, but that's okay, as we took it very freshly. Best thing about the market: it really is no alibi - you buy mostly everything you need to cook there.
Cooking existed mostly in chopping and washing foods, what is okay too, as this is more or less what I expect from a cooking class that lasts only half a day. But for me it was VERY disturbing, that all the food was washed in the same water, in which the teacher washed her hands after touching the rare chicken - whithout the water being changed.
Eating was outside under an old tree, which is a nice place... but it still was dirty even if there was someone who cleaned the ground, left out the table and chairs.
And than the food... it was not especially bad, but tasted like not that much. Maybe the teacher was afraid of putting in more spices.
So as we were 6 persons for 1000 rupees per person, I think it was heavily overpriced.
Cooking existed mostly in chopping and washing foods, what is okay too, as this is more or less what I expect from a cooking class that lasts only half a day. But for me it was VERY disturbing, that all the food was washed in the same water, in which the teacher washed her hands after touching the rare chicken - whithout the water being changed.
Eating was outside under an old tree, which is a nice place... but it still was dirty even if there was someone who cleaned the ground, left out the table and chairs.
And than the food... it was not especially bad, but tasted like not that much. Maybe the teacher was afraid of putting in more spices.
So as we were 6 persons for 1000 rupees per person, I think it was heavily overpriced.
Written 21 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,
We appreciate your opinion as we did not receive so many negative reviews. So yours will help us to improve ourselves and give better service to the guests coming to our association.
Written 26 February 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
malt
paris, france86 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
we took an indian cooking class (but the group of 17 was too large for it to be really effective) and a koram drawing class. good place to get info about pondicherry. french management
Written 6 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shashank
Bengaluru, India9 contributions
This tour takes you around the four quarters of the old town and also a few interesting spots. Our guide Manisha was really well informed about the history and took us to see some delightful parts of the city which a common traveller would not see. I really liked and enjoyed riding a bicycle around town because for at least some time it made me feel like a local.
Written 2 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you shashank for your wonderful words, its our pleasure and please keep supporting us!
Written 29 March 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
OneChatto
Melbourne, Australia75 contributions
If your visiting Pondicherry and you don't do the cycle tour , then you have missed one of the best things out here and your trip ain't complete.
The trip is only for two hours 7 am to 9 am (Yes! You gotta get up early on your vacation) and you get to choose one of the funky colorful nostalgic cycles (as kids we used to see the doodhwala's (milkmen) use this cycle).
Manisha our guide is a charm to be with and knows Pondicherry on her fingertips.
The trip covers all the heritage sites like the Muslim quarters, french quarters, Aurobindo Ashram, Governor House, Sacred Heart Church, Markets of Pondicherry and many more while you tring-tring away on your cycle....
Finally you end back at the cultural centre and are treated with a sumptuous South Indian or French breakfast... where Laxmi - the receptionist takes good care of you.
A must do and a must go when you visit Pondicherry.
Three cheers to Sita Cultural Heritage Centre for adding the extra glamour to our trip.
The trip is only for two hours 7 am to 9 am (Yes! You gotta get up early on your vacation) and you get to choose one of the funky colorful nostalgic cycles (as kids we used to see the doodhwala's (milkmen) use this cycle).
Manisha our guide is a charm to be with and knows Pondicherry on her fingertips.
The trip covers all the heritage sites like the Muslim quarters, french quarters, Aurobindo Ashram, Governor House, Sacred Heart Church, Markets of Pondicherry and many more while you tring-tring away on your cycle....
Finally you end back at the cultural centre and are treated with a sumptuous South Indian or French breakfast... where Laxmi - the receptionist takes good care of you.
A must do and a must go when you visit Pondicherry.
Three cheers to Sita Cultural Heritage Centre for adding the extra glamour to our trip.
Written 24 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for the wonderful words!!!
Its our pleasure that you had good experience with us...
Written 29 March 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ys132
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India2 contributions
Nov 2014
Really loved the kolom class . Not expensive but giving full attention
As soon as you get to pondi, chack their schedule and enjoy this opportunity
As soon as you get to pondi, chack their schedule and enjoy this opportunity
Written 15 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mary78yram
Paris, France2 contributions
Sept 2013 • Solo
I took some lessons of bharatanatyam and I also tried tai chi in SITA. Both were different experiences, both were better than one can expect.
The place is welcoming, it feels like home! you learn a lot and you can meet new and interesting people. I loved the atmosphere and I really loved the courses. Fleur is a very good and dedicated teacher while being fun at the same time. As for Khartik he is very wise and generous as well, and he took time to introduce us all to tai chi. I wish I could go back there. If I go to Pondicherry again, this is the place I'm sure to drop by ! Thanks SITA for the amazing experience :)
The place is welcoming, it feels like home! you learn a lot and you can meet new and interesting people. I loved the atmosphere and I really loved the courses. Fleur is a very good and dedicated teacher while being fun at the same time. As for Khartik he is very wise and generous as well, and he took time to introduce us all to tai chi. I wish I could go back there. If I go to Pondicherry again, this is the place I'm sure to drop by ! Thanks SITA for the amazing experience :)
Written 24 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vanessa M
Chenna58 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
We took the Pondy cycle tour, it was great! Would like to take one of their classes the next time we are in Pondicherry!
Written 24 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, we are 4 adults and 2 children. The children are 13 and 9 years old. Do you have a small bike for a 9 year old?
Written 22 December 2021
tweety212018
Cotignac, France
Bonjour,
Je suis prof de yoga en France et avec mes élèves nous aimerions venir à Pondichéry fin janvier ou début fevrier
Est ce qu’il est possible d’être héberger dans votre centre ?
Avez vous un lieu où je puisse donner mes cours à mes élèves ?
Est il possible de prendre des cours avec vos professeurs de yoga ?
Quels sont vos tarifs ?
Merci pour votre réponse
Belle journée
Inés
Written 16 July 2018
Coco6515
Volvic, France
Bonjour,
Venant passer 2 semaines de vacances à Pondichery, je suis très intéressée par votre cours de cuisine indienne. Je voudrai savoir si le cours est dispensé en français ou en anglais? Merci pour votre réponse.
Corinne
Written 1 January 2018
Bonjour
Je souhaiterais savoir si il est possible de prendre des cours de yoga en français ainsi que des massages ayurvedique
Merci
Written 22 November 2017
Bonjour Monia,
nous cours de yoga sont en anglais uniquement mais nos professeurs ont l'experience d'avoir des élèves de toute horizon et dans les cours, des francophones seront présents et pourront vous aider si nécessaire.
Pour recevoir un massage, contactez nous au téléphone ou par email pour prendre rendez-vous.
bien cordialement,
Fleur
Written 29 November 2017
Bonjour
Une amie m'a parlé de votre centre pour soulager des douleurs d'arthroses dqns les cervicales et le bras.Jaurais aimé avoir plus d'information si possible (les techniques, le tarif ) .
Merci pour les renseignements que vous m'apporterez
Written 28 August 2017
Bonjour Astrid,
vous pouvez venir nous voir pour recevoir un massage ayurvédique qui pourras vous soulager. Par contre avec de l'arthrose je ne vous conseille pas le massage thai.
Enfin, nous pourrons vous donner le contact d'osthéopathe sur Pondichéry avec qui vous pourriez consulter.
Written 29 August 2017
claudine c
Saint-Pierre, Reunion Island
hi, I'll come next january to pondi and i am an ayurvedic therapist. is it possible to have lessons in panchakarma in this centre ? Is there an ayurvedic doctor to study with him ? Thanks
Written 8 November 2015
Hi Claudine!
We would like to apologize for the really long delay but we didn't see your comment.
To answer your questions, we have courses for Abhyanga Ayurvedic massages taught by Fleur who has been given them for 5 years here in Pondy.
We hope you had an amazing stay in Pondicherry and found what you were looking for. Hopefully we will see you soon on your next trip to Pondy.
Written 3 June 2016
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