- Best time
- October to March
- French rule until
- 1954
- Nearest airport
- Chennai International, about 150 km; small domestic airport in Puducherry
- Nearest railway station
- Puducherry; Villupuram Junction
- Ideal time needed
- 2 to 3 days
About the town
The Union Territory is made up of four separate pieces, Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam and Mahe, each lying within a neighbouring state: Tamil Nadu for the first two, Andhra Pradesh for Yanam and Kerala for Mahe. In Puducherry town, a canal divides the orderly French Quarter by the sea from the livelier Tamil Quarter. The old town is small enough to explore on foot, by cycle or by rickshaw.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville
Sri Aurobindo founded the ashram in 1926 after leaving politics for a spiritual life, and the Mother, Mirra Alfassa, guided it for decades. Their samadhi under a tree in the courtyard is a quiet place where visitors leave flowers in silence. It is usually open in the morning and again in the afternoon.
Auroville, founded in 1968, is an experimental township meant to belong to no nation or religion; at its opening, people from 124 countries and 23 Indian states each placed a handful of their soil in an urn at the amphitheatre. Its centrepiece, the Matrimandir, is a golden globe covered in gilded discs. Anyone can see it from the viewing point after a short film at the Visitor Centre, but the inner meditation chamber needs a pass booked in advance, and Tuesdays are a holiday.
Other places to see
- Manakula Vinayagar Temple, a much-visited Ganesha temple near the ashram; photography is not allowed
- Immaculate Conception Cathedral (Samba Kovil), the Sacred Heart Basilica with its stained glass, and Our Lady of Angels
- Promenade Beach with the Gandhi statue, Raj Niwas and Bharathi Park with the Aayi Mandapam
- Puducherry Museum, with finds from the Roman trading site of Arikamedu and Chola and Pallava bronzes
- The Botanical Garden, laid out in 1826
- Paradise Beach, reached by boat from Chunnambar, and Ousteri Lake for birdwatching
Best time to visit
October to March is the best period, with milder weather. Weekends are crowded, so a weekday visit is calmer.
How to reach
Chennai International Airport is about 150 km away by the East Coast Road, and Puducherry also has a small domestic airport. Puducherry railway station has some direct trains, and Villupuram Junction nearby has many more. Buses run often from Chennai and Bengaluru.
Places to see in Pondicherry
SightPondicherryPondicherryAayi MandapamAayi Mandapam in Bharathi Park, Puducherry: the white monument honouring Aayi's water tank, its story, timings and nearby sights.
Best: November to MarchRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryAlliance Française de PondichéryPuducherry's Alliance Française: French classes, library and cultural events in Puducherry's French quarter, and how visitors can drop in.
PuducherryRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryAnanda Ranga Pillai HouseAnanda Ranga Pillai House in Pondicherry: the 18th-century home of Dupleix's diarist and interpreter, with carved wooden pillars and a courtyard.
PuducherryRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryArt Forms of PuducherryTraditional crafts of Puducherry, from terracotta and wood to clay, and where to watch artisans at work and buy directly from them.
PuducherryRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryArt and Craft Village, MurungapakkamThe Art and Craft Village at Murungapakkam, Puducherry: terracotta, wood and clay work by local artisans, live demos and shopping.
PuducherryRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryBussy StreetBussy Street in Puducherry: a busy central street of cafés, bakeries and shops, best explored on foot, with tips for making the most of it.
Best: Late afternoon and eveningRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryGaradi DanceGaradi is Puducherry's folk dance of the vanar army from the Ramayana, danced with sticks, iron ankle rings and big Ramadolu drums.
PuducherryRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryJoan of Arc StatueJoan of Arc Statue in Pondicherry's French Quarter: a white marble figure in a garden facing Our Lady of Angels Church, with history and tips.
PuducherryRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryKanniga Parameswari TempleKanniga Parameswari Temple on MG Road, Puducherry mixes Dravidian shrines with French-style pillars and stained glass. Timings and festivals.
PuducherryRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryLe CaféLe Café on Puducherry's seafront: an old port office turned café with sea views, coffee, snacks and a remnant of the historic pier nearby.
Best: Sunrise or eveningRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryManakula Vinayagar TempleManakula Vinayagar Temple, Puducherry's much-loved Ganesha shrine near the seafront: golden tower, golden chariot, timings and festivals.
PuducherryRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryMohiniyattam in PuducherryMohiniyattam, Kerala's graceful solo dance of Mohini, can be seen in Puducherry at temple festivals, heritage events and cultural evenings.
PuducherryRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryPanchavati Panchamukha Anjaneya TemplePanchavati temple near Puducherry has a 36-foot five-faced Hanuman on the Tindivanam road; see timings, offerings and how to get there.
PuducherryRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryParadise BeachParadise Beach near Puducherry, reached by boat from Chunnambar: clean sands, water sports, facilities and tips for planning your day.
Best: November to FebruaryRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryPromenade BeachPromenade Beach, Puducherry: the seafront walk along White Town, when to go, safety, food nearby and what else to see in the French Quarter.
Best: Early morning and eveningRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryPuducherry MuseumPuducherry Museum on Saint Louis Street: Chola and Pallava bronzes, Arikamedu finds, French furniture and a pousse-pousse, open 10 am to 5 pm.
PuducherryRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryRomain Rolland LibraryRomain Rolland Library, Puducherry: a public library founded in 1827 with a large French collection, rare books and a children's wing.
PuducherryRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherrySerenity BeachSerenity Beach near Puducherry: a quiet fishing-village beach known for surfing lessons, kayaking and fresh seafood. Tips and access.
PuducherryRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherrySri Vedapureeswarar TempleSri Vedapureeswarar Temple in central Puducherry: its swayambu lingam, carved pillars, festivals, offerings, timings and how to get there.
PuducherryRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryVaradaraja Perumal TempleVaradaraja Perumal Temple on MG Road, Puducherry: the standing Vishnu, the 108 forms display, festivals, Annaprasanam, timings and access.
PuducherryRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryVaradharaja Perumal TempleVaradharaja Perumal Temple on MG Road, Puducherry, is an old Vishnu shrine known for its 108 Divya Desam images and Purattasi Saturday worship.
PuducherryRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryVeerampattinam BeachVeerampattinam Beach near Pondicherry: a quiet fishing-village shore 7 km from town, known for its Aadi chariot festival and nearby Arikamedu.
Best: Early morning or late afternoonRead guide →
SightPondicherryPondicherryYakshaganaYakshagana explained: Karnataka's all-night dance-drama of epic stories, its costumes, music and the bhagavata, and where you might catch a show.
PuducherryRead guide →Also nearby
Plan it with us
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will build the route, book the car, driver and hotels, and send you a clear quote.
