Overview

On the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal lies Pondicherry or Puducherry, as it is now called. Pondicherry offers remnants of the glorious French culture in India. The place boasts of a history that predates the Colonial influences in India. The distinction between basil and curry leaves is marked through a local canal that separates the still French Pondicherry and the local Puducherry. Quite beaches with white sand and the opulent boulevard is a soothing sight and attract a lot of foreign tourists. This tiny town is a perfect amalgamation of Indo-French that shows in its food and culture. Any connoisseur of the French food can swear by the Baguettes, pastries and brioches served in its many bakeries. The Aurobindo Ashram known as Auroville, is a favorite destination for those seeking peace through yoga and meditation. A 300 year old church Notre Dame de la Conception is a fascinating sight. The International Yoga Festival and the Villianur Car Festival attract tourists each year. For shoppers there are a variety of items produced and sold at the Auroville ashram. Aroma candles, incense sticks and paper products make for great souvenirs to tourist while returing from Inda day tour of Pondicherry.

How to visit:

By road: Pondicherry has a good network of roads, which connects it with most of South India. There are frequent buses, almost every 15 minutes in the day from Chennai’s new bus stand in Koyembedu.

By rail: Pondicherry is connected with a meter gauge by the nearest railway station - Villupuram junction (VM) which is 36 kms from the city.

By air: Nearest airport is situated at Chennai, which is at a distance of 135-km from the city. Trichy airport is 220 kms and Bangalore is 320 kms. Chennai has excellent connections with almost all cities in India and direction connection to Europe, USA, Middle East and South East Asia.

Fast Facts

Location - Union Territory, South India

Places of Interest - Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Botanical Garden, Mankula Vinayaka, Sri Vedapuriswar, and Kamatchiamman temples, Auroville, Ousteri lake, Promenade, Gandhi Statue, Panjavadi Temple, Chunnambar Boating.

Best time to visit - October to April

Language - Hindi, English, Tamil

Festivals - Pongal, Masi Magam, Chitrai kalai Vizha (Summer Festival), Villianur Temple Car Festival, Bastille Day, French Food Festival , Navaratri, Deepawali

Pondicherry Location Map