Climate: It is warm and humid. In summer, max temp can hit 40 degrees C and the min around
28. It rains during July to August and again from October to December. April-June is summer. Best time to
visit: December to March. Winter is warm with a high of 30 deg C and min at 18. Light jackets in winter.
People: Most people are educated. There are several excellent educational institutions. The
famous Sri Aurobindo International Center of Education and Aurbindo Ashram are located here. The influence
of French culture and character is very much seen although most people are Dravidian. It's definitely a a
multi-national, multi-cultural town and therefore cosmopolitan in nature. There is a community of French
people and there are quite a few French institutions.
Language: Most people speak Tamil and other south Indian languages. However, English and
French coexist. English is the official language.
Economy: Agriculture, dairy and fishing are the mainstay.
Transport: There is a good network of roads and railways. Good bus service. Puducherry has a
domestic airport. Nearby other airports are Trichy airport and Madurai airport, both in Tamil Nadu. The
nearest international airports are in Chennai (135 km), the Capital of Tamil Nadu, and Bengaluru (320 km),
Capital of nearby Karnataka.
Tourist interests: Beaches ( Promenade Beach, Paradise Beach, The Auroville Beach and
Serenity Beach ); monuments like churches (Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Church of the Capuchins ),
colonial buildings and temples (Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple-Ganapathi, Thirukaameeswarar
Temple-Periya Koil-Lord Siva, Varadaraja Perumal Temple onMG Road) built during the ancient times; the
world famous Aurobindo Ashram; Auroville (City of Dawn of 'Mother'), an experimental township 8 km
north-west of Pondicherry; French style avenues; One can definitely experience a spiritual ambience in
Puducherry; French War Memorial; Romain Rolland Library; Governor's Palace; Bharati Park (Government
Park); Light House; Pondicherry Municipality French-style building; Public Works Department in Bussy
Street - French-style; Romain Rolland library; Lycee Francais imparts French education-no entry;
Chunnambar Beach and Backwater Resort have backwater boat tours
Accommodation: All types of accommodation are availbale. Most hotels have AC ac the climate
is by and large hot and humid.
Tip: Service guys everywhere expect a tip.
Food: South Indian and French dishes are common; To avoid dehydration and also to prevent
contamination, carry a bottle of mineral or boiled water; salt-sugar mix in water averts dehydration.
Precaution: Pickpockets, taxi/rickshaw drivers; follow customs; shoes, belts, handbags, camera
cases etc. are prohibited in temples.
Festivals: International Yoga Festival - 4th to 7th January every year - brings in participants from
all over the world; 13th to 16th January - Pongal festival, the harvest festival; Navaratri; Deepavali.
Shopping: Anna Salai; Nehru Street (J.N.Street); Mahatma Gandhi Street (M.G.Street);
Cathedral Street (Mission Street); Romain Rolland Street (Sunday closed); octroi-free and low tax on all
goods; buy perfumes, handicrafts, fashionable garments, marbled silks, leather, ceramics; quality non-toxic
incense sticks, cones, scented candles, perfumed oils, sachets, incense holders, ceramic holders and diffusers;
French mustard and bakery; Pondicherry Mineral Water
STD Codes: Puducherry 0413; Yanam 08863; Karaikal 04368; Mahe 04983
CONTACT (for Govt
accommodation):-
Managing Director,
Puducherry Tourism Development Corporation(PDTC),
21, St. Vincent de Paul Street,
Colas Nagar, Pondicherry 605 001.
Ph: +91 413 2353532
Fax: +91 413 2356444
Email: wowpondy@gmail.com
CONTACT (for tourist
info):-
Director of Tourism,
Dr.Ambedkar Salai,
Opp : Indira Gandhi Sports Complex
Pondicherry 605 001.
Ph: +91 413 2358570,73,76
Fax: +91 413 2358572
Email: tourism.pon@nic.in, pondytourism@gmail.com
http://tourism.pondicherry.gov.in/
CONTACT-2 (for tourist info):-
Tourism Information Centre ,
40,Goubert Avenue
Pondicherry-605 001, India
Tel: +91 413 2339497
Email: tourism.pon@nic.in
Hotels @ Resorts in Puducherry
Puducherry - Travel Info
