Pondicherry was a French colony until 1954, it has number of colonial buildings, churches, statues, and systematic town planning, as well as urban architecture of the local Tamil style. As such the town was also called as "The Europe of India". It preserves the little remains of the ambiance once created by this unique mix of cultural heritage. Lot of tourists from around the world and from across India visits Puducherry. Pondicherry is also a popular weekend destination, which can be reached easily from the nearby cities such as Chennai and Bangalore.
Some important questions arise when we choose a destination.
Most important places to Visit in PondicherryPuducherry. / Sightseeing places in Pondicherry
Which all places I can visit along with Pondicherry/ Puducherry ?
Tour Itineries along with Pondicherry/ Puducherry
Best time to visit Pondicherry/ Puducherry
How to reach Pondicherry/ Puducherry ?
Most important places to Visit in Pondicherry / Puducherry. / Sightseeing places in Pondicherry/ Puducherry
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
This Ashram was founded by Sri Aurobindo, who in the early ages was a revolutionist and then turned poet. His was jointly helped by The Mother, who was a Paris born painter. The Ashram is a centre for the practice of integral yoga, meditation, and of inner development.
Aayimandapam and Bhartipark
This monument is the emblem of the Government of Pondicherry, previously called as La Place du Panthéon and later on changed into Aayimandapam. This monument is surrounded by five parks, and is maintained to remind us the beauty of French architecture.
The Pondicherry Botanical Garden
The Botanical garden was created 1826 and was then called "The Colonial Park". The renowned botanist Perottet brought many rare species of plants, about 1500 of them, from places like Madras, Calcutta, Ceylon and Reunion
Pondicherry Temples
There are about 15 Temples out of which MankulaVinayaka, Sri Vedapuriswar, and Kamatchiamman are the most famous temples in Pondicherry.
A Walk around Pondicherry
As a traveller it is very nice to take a walk around the Boulevards of Pondicherry and you feel the heritage look of this town , which presents to you with three different kinds of architecture, The white town or the French area, the Tamil square, and the Muslim square.
Pondicherry Churches
Pondicherry had been under the French which have built many splendid churches, some which even have rare staingalss panels depicting saints and events form the life of Christ. The Immaculate Conception Cathedral, on Cathedral Street, was first built in1692. It took its present shape in 1791.
Auroville
Auroville visitor’s center Ph :2622239
Auroville was inaugurated on 28th Feb. 1968 with representation from 124 countries.
Auroville was envisioned as a Universal Town, where people from different nationalities, faiths and beliefs, can live in peace and harmony. It is an attempt to realize a new society as envisioned by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Nearly people from 35 countries are living here to realize on human unity and transformation of consciousness.
Chunnambar water sport centre
(9am- 6pm, all days) Ph: 2600816 / 2600194
Facilities for boating are available at the Boat House on the River Chunnambar, 8 km from Pondicherry. The backwater and the lush greenery on both sides of Chunnambar provide an ideal setting.
Ousterilake
Ousteri Lake is one of the biggest lake and major supplier ofdrinking water in those days. Now it is opened for thetourists for boat ride and to watch the birds. During theseason, this lake acts as dwelling place for many migratingbirds.
Arikamedu
Arikamedu has a long history dating back to 2nd century B.C. It was used as a port for trade with the Romans and Greco-Romans. Wine, garum sauce and olive oil, were imported and the exports must have included textile, beads, semiprecious gems, glass and shell bangles.
The Pondicherry Museum
(10.00 am to 5.00 pm closed on Mondays and government holidays)
The museum brings back memories of the glorious past of Pondicherry, from the days of the Greco-Roman era down to the present days, providing glimpses of the art and culture of the people of this region during the pallava, a Chola and Vijayanagar days. Artifacts from the excavations at Arikamedu are preserved here.
Promenade - The Pondicherry Beach
The 1.5 km long promenade running along the beach is the pride of Pondicherry. Most of the landmarks are on the sea front: the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Jeanne d'Arc, Duplex, the elegant War Memorial raised be the French, the heritage building "Mairie", the 27m tall old lighthouse, the circular shaped customs house and Gandhi Thidal.
Ashrams in Pondicherry
Nearly 18 saints or siddhas had made there base in Pondicherry. It is interesting to know their history and to visit their ashrams. Many local people make it as a practice to visit such ashrams / temples like Siddanandha, Kambli, ashram, Akka swami, Bade Shaeib, Yogi Ram Paradesi and many more.
Churches in Pondicherry
French missionary zeal in the 17th and 18th saw a number of imposing churches built here.
"The Sacred-Heart Church", situated on the south boulevard, stands out as an oriental specimen of gothic splendour. It contains rare and beautiful stained glass panels depicting saints and events from the life of Christ.
"The Immaculate Conception Cathedral", on the Cathedral Street, was first built in 1692. It took its present shape in 1791.
"Our Lady of Angels Church" is notable for its masonry and prayer mass are done in French, which makes this church quite unique.
Tour Itineries along with Pondicherry/Puducherry
Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mamallapooram - Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry
Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Thanjavur - Trichy
Chennai – Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Thanjavur - Trichy - Madurai - Rameshwaram - Madurai - Chennai
Chennai- Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Thanjavur - Trichy - Chennai - Port Blair - Ross Island-North Bay Island - Harbour Cruise - Port Blair - Havelock Island -Port Blair - Mount Harriet - Port Blair - Chennai
Pondicherry - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Trivandrum - Kanyakumari
Chennai - Covelong - Pondicherry
Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Sawamimalai - Tanjore
Chennai- Tirupati- Pondicherry-Chennai
Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (Puducherry)-Thanjavur (Tanjore) – Trichy (Tiruchirappalli) - Madurai - Rameshwaram - Madurai - Chennai
Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – Chennai
Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – Trichy - Madurai
Best time to visit Pondicherry/ Puducherry
October to February is the best time to visit for Pondicherry. October is beautiful just before the heaven’s open up in November when there are heavy rains. December and January are important months for the locals who celebrate Christmas and New Year with aplomb. These are also the months when activity at the Ashram increases because of the birth and death anniversaries of Shree Aurobindo and The Mother. Weather wise it is pleasant until March after which it gets hot.
Climate
Pondicherry is hot and humid all year round with temperatures ranging between 26°C and 38°C. March, April, May and June are the hottest months with temperatures touching 40° C; humidity levels remain high despite hot winds blowing seawards from the mainland.
Rains arrives soon after; July, August and September are pleasant mainly because the heat and humidity are relieved by the showers of the southwest monsoons. The arrival of the northeast monsoon coincides with the winter months of November, December, January and February - this the best season to visit Pondicherry with day temperatures around 30° C and pleasant cool evenings
How to reach Pondicherry / Puducherry?
How to get there by Air
The nearest airport is at Chennai which is a good 3-4 hours away by road. From there it is possible (and most convenient) to hire a taxi. To catch a bus to Pondicherry you will have to first get to Chennai city, which is 16 km from the airport.
How to get there by Rail
Pondicherry is connected by rail to Chennai, Trichy and Villupuram.
How to get there by Road
Pondicherry has direct bus links to many places in the state and also to Bangalore in Karnataka. The road trip from chennai takes about four hours.