Pondicherry or Puducherry is a union territory located along the Coromandel Coast of Bay of Bengal located about 160 kms south of Chennai. Pondicherry is the capital of the Union Territory of Pondicherry which comprises of four coastal regions - Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. Pondicherry and Karaikal are situated on the East Coasts in Tamilnadu while Yanam is in Andhra Pradesh and Mahe is on the West Coast in Kerala.
Pondicherry offers an amazing blend of spiritual aura, French colonial heritage and modern advancement. This picture perfect town is known for its palm-fringed beaches, backwaters, fishing villages, beach resorts, elegant houses, ornamental gardens, boulevards and neat broad roads. The French ruled this territory for 300 years. This coastal town was a French colony till 1954 and it still retains a distinctly French culture. The French influence is clearly visible in the well-laid gardens, magnificent mansions and the wide roads which still carry French names.
Pondicherry experiences a hot and humid weather during summer with temperatures ranging between 26°C and 38°C. During March, April, May and June which are the hottest months the temperatures touch 40° C. The best time to visit Pondicherry is between the months of October to March.
Top Tourist Places in Pondicherry
There are many places of tourist interest in Pondicherry
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a major tourist attraction in Pondicherry. This ashram is dedicated to Shri Aurobindo. He was a great revolutionary and spiritualist. Sri Aurobindo who was also a greatly respected freedom fighter established this Ashrama in 1920. The ashram is also known for the Samadhi (memorial) of Sri Aurobindo and Sri Ma (mother). It is a centre for the practice of internal yoga and a place of learning.
Auroville
Auroville or the City of Dawn was established in 1968. It is a universal township that is meant to be a place where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and harmony. People from many parts of the world have settled down here. In the centre is a meditation room with a glass globe that focuses suns radiant energy on it. There are about 40 odd settlements in Auroville.
Arikamedu
This place is located at a distance of 6 km from Pondicherry. Arikamedu is an archaeological site situated at the estuary of the River Ariyankuppam. This had been the trading centre of the Romans in the past.
Pondicherry Museum
The most interesting exhibits in this museum are the Roman articles discovered at Arikamedu. It has an art collection, handicraft, weaponry, archaeology, geology and the old French Governor Dupleix’s bed among many other unique items. The sculpture gallery displays some of the Pallava and Chola art from the Pondicherry and Karaikal area. The French gallery has collections like horse-drawn carriage, colonial furniture, an antique grandfather clock etc. The bronze gallery has a wide collection of beautiful temple lamps and some majestic images of Gods and Goddesses.
Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden is worth a visit. This place has many varieties of plants and trees. This is a perfect place for a pleasant walk and the aquarium here has a collection of amazing ornamental fish.
Promenade
Promenade is one of the most visited places in Pondicherry. The Promenade is a 1.5Km long walk built along the beach. The statue of Mahatma Gandhi Joan of Arc and Dupleix, and a War memorial are the main attraction here.
Chunnambar Resort
Located along the banks of Ariyankkupam River this place is known for beach sports, cruising and boat tours along the picturesque river.
Pondicherry Beach
Promenade beach is the most important beach ideal for a leisurely stroll. The Paradise Beach is a serene and calm spot and is located 8 kilometres away. Auroville Beach which is 12kms away is ideal beach for swimming because of its shallow and clear water.
Thiruvakkarai
This place has the first wood fossil park of the country.Thiruvakkarai is located at a distance of 30kms from Pondicherry.
The Churches of Pondicherry
Eglise de Sacre Coeur de Jesus dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is situated on south boulevard. The Church is known for its stained glass panels that has the life of Jesus painted on it . This church is also known for its magnificent gothic architecture. The church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception or Notre Dame de la Conception is almost 300 years old and is also worth a visit.. Another church worth visiting is the Our Lady of Angels which is known for an oil painting that was gifted by Napoleon III.
Temples in Pondicheerry
Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswara Temple is located 10kms from Pondicherry. There is Ousteri Lake nearby which spread over 10 hectares and offers a spectacular sight. This temple is well known for its 10-day annual Brahmotsavam festival. Apart from this there are many other temples worth visiting like The Varadaraja Temple which is the most important Vishnu temple in town and Manakkula Vinayakar Temple which is dedicated to lord Ganesh and also Karaikal Ammaiyur Temple.
How to reach Pondicherry
The nearest airport is in Chennai which is 160 kms from Pondicherry. The closest railway station is at Villupuram at a distance of 36kms which is linked to Chennai, Madurai, and Trivandrum. Pondicherry is connected with good network of roads to major cities in Tamilnadu. There are direct buses available from Pondicherry to all-important cities of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation, Pondicherry Tourism and many private owners operate regular buses that connect Pondicherry to all cities of Tamil Nadu and of the neighbouring states.
Accommodation
Pondicherry has a wide choice of hotels to suit every pocket. Accommodation is available at the luxurious, middle class and small budgeted hotels and lodges in Pondicherry.