Introduction
Puducherry is one of the Union Territories in India, formed out of four enclaves of former French India and named for the largest, Pondicherry. It's also the name of the capital and largest agglomeration. Both were named Pondicherry until 2006. The total territory has around 1 million inhabitants, of which approximately one third lives in Pondicherry City.
Geography
Pondicherry consists of four small unconnected districts: Pondicherry, Karaikal and Yanam on the Bay of Bengal and Mahé on the Arabian Sea. Pondicherry and Karaikal are by far the larger ones and are both enclaves of Tamil Nadu. Yanam and Mahé are enclaves of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala respectively. The territory has a total area of 492 km²: Pondicherry 293 km², Karaikal 160 km², Mahé 9 km² and Yanam 30 km².
Neighbourhoods
- Mamallapuram - 7th century port city
- Chidambaram - temple with golden roof
- Pichavaram - Asia's second largest mangrove forest
- Thiruvannamalai - Temple city
- Kanchipuram - city of 1,000 temples and famous for Silk saris
Sights and Activities
- Aurobindo Ashram
- Manakula Vinayagar (Ganesh) Temple
- Beach Promenade
- Museums
- Churches
- Colonial buildings
- Chunnambar back waters
- Aurovile
- Fossil woods park
Weather
Generally warm and humid, with monsoon season from June to October and drier weather from December to March, the best time for a visit.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Max | 29.7 °C | 30.8 °C | 32.3 °C | 34.2 °C | 37.1 °C | 36.9 °C | 36 °C | 35.5 °C | 34.4 °C | 32.2 °C | 30.2 °C | 29.5 °C |
| Avg Min | 20.5 °C | 21.3 °C | 23.3 °C | 25.9 °C | 26.8 °C | 26.5 °C | 26.1 °C | 25.5 °C | 25 °C | 24.2 °C | 22.8 °C | 21.2 °C |
| Rainfall | 15.5 mm | 30.8 mm | 25.7 mm | 28.8 mm | 64.9 mm | 55.7 mm | 57.8 mm | 118.4 mm | 128.2 mm | 252.3 mm | 356.6 mm | 292.7 mm |
| Rain Days | 1.5 | 1 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.9 | 7.4 | 8.7 | 7.8 | 10.8 | 12.1 | 7.9 |
Getting There
By Plane
Chennai has the nearest airport, about 150 kilometres away.
By Train
Pondicherry is connected to major cities in India via Villupuram (closest railway junction located 40 kilometres away).
By Car
Pondicherry is well connected by road to all the cities.
Sleep
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Coramandal Pondicherry | 36,Rue Nidarajapayer | Hotel | 79 |
| Lotus Comfort Hotel | No. 72-A, S.V. Patel Road Puducherry-1 | Hotel | - |
| Rosema Ayurveda Resort | 209, Lal Bahadur St | Guesthouse | - |
| World Guest House | 82, Chellan nagar pondicherry puducherry | Guesthouse | - |
| L'escale Guest House | 31 Dumas Street | GUESTHOUSE | 78 |
| La Maison Natura | 62,64 Bajanai Madam Street, Manjini Nagar, Muthialpet | HOSTEL | 79 |
| Raj Lodge | 57,Rue Rangapillai Street | HOTEL | - |
| Anantha Heritage | 96,Perumal Koil Street | HOTEL | - |
Budget
Fullmoon Guest house (in between Pondicherry Town & Auroville) - Phone 96 00 21 00 94
Keep Connected
Phone
See also International Telephone Calls
Post
India Post is the national postal service of India, and on their website you find details about prices to send postcards, letters and parcels, both domestically and internationally. For most postcards to send internationally, it is better to visit the post office before writing on the card as you may need quite a few stamps. Parcels must be taken to a tailor, he will then sew it up in white linen. Make sure he seals it with red wax, otherwise the post office may refuse to send it or try to get you to pay them to do it. Sewing up a parcel should only cost 50rs to 200rs. In general, post offices are open from 10:00am to 1:00pm and 1:30pm to 4:30pm in most bigger towns and cities, though there are regional variations and some might keep longer hours or be open during (part of) the weekend as well. Ask around.
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