Languages spoken are Tamil, Telegu, Malyalam and French. The architecture of Puducherry’s monuments, churches and temples reflect its historical past. The colonial government buildings, beautiful avenues with old cottages lining the sides of the streets provide an ambiance which sets this town apart from others in India. The main tourist places in Pondicherry are the beach, the Aurobindra Ashram,the Bharti and Bhartidasan Memorial museum, the botanical gardens and the Anglo-French textile mills. Puducherry is also famous within the country because of the large number of temples which dot the state.

Certain excavations near Pondicherry reveal that a settlement of Romans might have existed 2000 years ago. French influence came in since 1675. They fought many a battle with the British who were intent on setting up their dominance on the sub-continent. In the process, Pondicherry has in its archives several important records of the period and has thus become a centre for historical research. The persistence of the French to stay put in this coastal town thus led to the construction of roads, streets and buildings in a European style distinctively different from the British colonial structures as in the rest of India. Much earlier, the Chola kings who ruled between the 10th. and the 12th.centuries put their stamp on this territory having built 350 temples.

Amongst the tourist places in Pondicherry, the numerous temples here are worth mentioning. Within Puducherry on MG Road is the Varadaraja Perumal temple built in 600 A.D. dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Manakula Vinayagar Koil is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The Vedhapureeswara Temple, also known as Eashwaran Koil, is dedicated to Lord Siva. The Kanniga Parameswari temple dedicated to Goddess Sakthi is a blend of French and Tamil architecture. Kamatchiamman Temple is dedicated to Durga/Parvati. In contrast to the other temples, this one is rust coloured, conveying an antique look. Amongst prominent Christian centres is the Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus. Puducherry is also the birth place of the great Tamil poet Bharathy Subramanya. Interestingly, it is also the birth place of the famous movie maker, M.Night Shyamalan.

The climate ranges between temperatures of 25 to 45 degrees. Its hottest in May-June while monsoon arrives in July-August. Winters start in November which is the best time for tourists. The north eastern winds bring light showers and the temperature hovers at 25 degrees. Puducherry in a way represents the communities south of the Vindhya mountains and today, alongside its French colonial past and modern India’s English colonial past, the territory presents a very curiously mixed culture.

Foreign tourists fondly refer to the place as “Pondy” and it is a home away from home to them. Pristine beaches, superb cuisine and cheap beer make it an excellent international tourist destination.

On the subject of temples of Pondicherry it would be worth mentioning the prominent ones from ancient times. Locals say that between the 10^th. &12^th.centuries the Chola kings built about 350 temples. Within the city of Pondicherry itself one can get to see the three century old Manakula Vinayagar Koil dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The “gopuram” here is painted with bright colours. The temple also has shrines dedicated to Murugan and Goddess Laxmi. A decorated temple elephant stands to bless every visiting devotee in exchange for a small donation.

The Varadaraja Perumal temple which dates back to 600 AD, the oldest in the city, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu; there is a separate shrine also for Lord Narsimha. The Vedhapureeswara Temple also known as Eashwaran Koil is dedicated to Lord Siva. The Kanniga Parameswari temple dedicated to Goddess Sakthi is a blend of French and Tamil architecture. Kamatchiamman Temple is dedicated to Durga/Parvati. In contrast to the other temples this one is rust coloured conveying an antique look.

Out of town, about 11 km away, in a place named Villianur, built by the Cholas, is another famous temple of Sri Gokilambal Thirukameshwara which has a Sivalingam and also has shrines of Murugan and Devi.

The annual car festival is held on a full moon day between May and June. A 15m tall chariot is pulled by people in a procession on the streets. Under French rule the Governor used to actively participate in the festival of drawing the chariot. This tradition is still followed and the current Lieutenant Governor also participates in the festivities.

Situated close to the Raj Nivas and the famous Aurobindo Ashram is the Manakkula Vinayakar temple. Local legend states that a Frenchman was bent upon destroying the deity within, but the image kept reappearing. This led to the Frenchman finally becoming a staunch believer.

.Located to the West of a place by the name of Karaikal is the Thirunallar temple of Lord Shiva which features a shrine consecrated to Saturn(Saneeswaran) ie God Shani. Such a temple is a rarity in India. The locals celebrate with great enthusiasm “Shani Peyarchi” a festival to obtain God’s blessings.

Internationally, Pondicherry has acquired fame because of Auroville, a settlement of the disciples of Sri Aurobindo & Mother(who was a French Lady). The ashram in Pondicherry and the various institutions based around it form a community by themselves. To tourists, temples of Pondicherry presents a variety which possibly no other city in the world could show.

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Pondicherry is one of the finest destinations for tourists in India and abroad. Having been a French colony as well as an Indian territory, its history is rich and the several religious and philosophical centers here such as the Aurobindo Ashram evoke a spiritualism in this place like no other. There are numerous places to visit in Pondicherry. The most important ones have been listed below.

Auroville City is a place in Pondicherry where people irrespective of their caste, creed and religion reside to seek universal harmony. It was established in 1968 by Sri Aurobindo Society. Matri Mandir is the holy center of Auroville, structured like a dome shape. Sri Aurobindo Ashram is another spiritual centre in Pondicherry. It was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo. The Ashram today is an institution which performs charitable activities like free medical benefits, school for eyesight and practices of integral yoga.

Pondicherry museum situated at Bharathi Park, has an excellent gallery of various sculptures, shells of snail, sculpture of Gods and Goddesses made out of bronze, handicrafts and temple lamps. Roman potteries are also beautifully displayed in the museum. The museum is open between 10 am to 5 pm and is closed on Mondays.

Botanical garden in Pondicherry is another place which attracts tourists with its exotic species of plants. This 178 year old garden was opened in 1826 for visitors. It is located in the center of the city near the bus stand. Each and every tree and plant here have been tagged with Tamil and scientific names. It also has aquariums displaying sea living organisms like fish and flora. Techniques of fishing used in coastal areas can be seen here.

Besides sightseeing in Pondicherry, if one wants to experience sun bathing, swimming or a leisurely walk then Promenade Beach is the place. It’s a lovely beach with a 1.5 km long promenade. Statues of War Memorial and Mahatma Gandhi can be found on the sea shore of the beach. There are many other beaches as well like Serenity Beach, Paradise Beach, Mahe Beach, Karaikal Beach, Yanam River Cruise etc.

Although the most attractive spots of Pondicherry have been mentioned above, there are several other places that are worth visiting. The town has numerous religious temples like Manakula Vinayagar, Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Vedhapureeswara Temple, Sri Gokilambal Thirukameshwara Temple, Kanniga Parameswari Temple etc. Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Anglo French textile mill and The Statue of Dupleix are the other places for sightseeing in Pondicherry.

If you have a fascination for pottery, then Pondicherry is the place to be in. Artisans of Pondicherry create beautiful pottery and ceramic artifacts. Rhinestone Art and Golden Bridge are the most known places to buy these stuffs. Golden Bridge was the first studio to introduce glazed stoneware pottery made by hand in Pondicherry.

Textile is another attraction for tourists. Household linen in twill, poplin, satin, etc are produced in textile mills. There are variety of textile, apparels and garment stores like Satyam Silks, La Fiesta, Baskan Fashions, Casablanca, Mega Mart store, Cauvery silk house etc. South cotton fabrics are in high demand and they can be bought from Anglo French textile mill. The mill is hundred years old and its products are sold all over the world.

Finest leather with excellent finishing is what distinguishes the brands of Pondicherry from the other cities. Leather products are manufactured with high quality and innovation. The world famous leather brand Hidesign is based in Pondicherry. The main outlet is located at the Casablanca shopping centre. Few other outlets like New style located at J N Street and Classique leathers situated at Anna Salai are also known for good leather products.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram has a handmade paper factory, which is quite popular all over the world. Sunday market is another place which has a wide range of shopping items. You can find anything under the sun in this market. It is situated at Mahatma Gandhi Road. Exotic fruits, semi precious stones, handicraft items, clothes, scent, aromatherapy products are available here. Shops out here are open only on Sundays. It is one of the crowded shopping markets in Pondicherry.

Most of the shopping areas are located in Nehru Street and Mahatma Gandhi Street. Pondicherry also has exclusive boutiques offering designer accessories, apparels, fine silk, and candles. Other shopping centers include local items like jams, pickles, handicrafts, souvenirs etc. So if you are passionate about shopping then you must definitely visit this city. Tourists will be delighted knowing the fact that it has so much to offer to its visitors.

This city is an ultimate place for tourists as it is surrounded by culture, heritage and French connection. You will find both Indian and European cultural influences in this unique place. The official languages spoken in Pondicherry are French, Tamil, Telugu and Malayam. Pondicherry is one of the calm, quiet cities because it is not too crowded. For tourists who want to get away from their monotonous day to day routine, this is an appropriate place to be in. One of its main attractions is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It is an international institution which practices Yoga as well as the teachings and philosophy of Sri Aurobindo. Pondicherry is also known for its scenic beauty, colonial architecture as well as tourist places such as the museum, the botanical garden, beaches etc.

The weather in Pondicherry is warm especially in summer. It starts from March and goes on up to the month of July. Summers in Pondicherry are extremely humid and hot with maximum temperature going up to 40 degrees. With the surrounding seas, the summers here are humid and hot and hence, most tourists prefer to visit this place during the winter or spring time.

Monsoon starts towards end of July although rainfall can be mostly expected from November till January. But you can anticipate light rains till October. The temperature during this time is comparatively milder. You may need an umbrella to protect yourself from the frequent rains that occur. They are easily available in Pondicherry.

Winters are cooler and pleasant. This is when the city is filled with majority of tourists due to its cool and lovely weather. Temperature is around 20 degrees in winters. One can enjoy the essence of the place by exploring the streets, markets and beaches during this time.

Pondicherry weather, on an average, remains in the range of 31.5 degrees and minimum being around 23.9 degrees. The city gets completely occupied during winters as tourists visit Pondicherry to enjoy a pleasant and leisurely holiday. One can not only enjoy the French colonial flavor of this place but also the local cuisine, handicrafts, fairs and festivals. So if you are planning a holiday in Pondicherry city then the best time to visit would be during winters.

One will find it very surprising to think back about the history of Pondicherry. Presently known as Puducherry, this Indian territory was surprisingly non Indian till 1954 when the French handed back this place to the Indian Government,. Even then, it allowed many residents the choice to continue to being French nationals and hence, many locals in Pondicherry still have their French passports locked away.

This quaint place consists of four unrelated districts, known as Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam on the Bay of Bengal and Mahé on the Arabian Sea. With the two seas by its side and the French colonies residing side by side the Indian population, this unique place is a must visit for Indians and foreigners alike.

There are various means to reach Pondicherry. The most popular means is by road from Chennai since it takes les than four hours drive from Chennai. There are various frequent bus services which ply to Pondicherry regularly.

However, for people coming from other places in India, one can avail of the numerous train services available. The most frequent train services are from Chennai. From the Chennai Egmore station, the Bbs Pdy Express goes to Pondicherry only on Wednesdays and the entire train journey takes about four hours. There are other trains from Chennai and other parts of the country which go up to the Villipuram Rail Junction. From here, one can travel by road the 36 km distance to Pondicherry.

The trains from Pondicherry are few, most of which travel up to the Villipuram Rail Junction. The reason behind this is that, the 27 km narrow gauge line to Pondicherry from the Villipuram Rail Junction does not allow much train traffic to and from Pondicherry.

The Pondicherry railway station has been in the news of late due to the efforts of the Southern Railway. The Railways have invested considerable amount of money to provide a much needed facelift to the quaint Pondicherry railway station. From beautifying the platforms with kota stones, amenities for the convenience of passengers have been thought of such as providing waiting halls, air conditioned even, to modernized ticket counters, drinking water facilities, galvanized benches on platforms and so forth.

Thus, Pondicherry railway station is being given the much needed facelift to make this quant French destination in India even more attractive to tourists.

Pondicherry has developed itself into an excellent educational center in Southern India. The government has taken major steps to promote education in Pondicherry. As there is a healthy competition among Pondicherry schools and colleges, it has helped in improving the quality of teachers, infrastructure and better techniques for learning. Education plays a vital role in Pondicherry. Literacy rate of Pondicherry is 82% which is higher when compared to many other parts of the country.

Schools in Pondicherry are popular for its infrastructure and also educational amenities. There are approximately 863 schools in Pondicherry. The important medium of teaching is English and Tamil. Some of the schools teach French as well. Impressions of French culture can still be found in various places in Pondicherry. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Sri Aurobindo International Centre, Periyakalapet, Primrose, Blessed Sacrament High School are some of the renowned schools in Pondicherry.

There are several engineering, medical, education, science and arts colleges in Pondicherry. Candidates can choose amongst current subjects like Mass Communication, Hotel Management, Agriculture and Biotechnology if they intend to pursue higher education in Pondicherry. Few private colleges conduct common entrance tests for admission of candidates.

Some of the best colleges are Sri Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Bharathiyar College of Engineering & Technology, Achariya Arts and Science College, Dr. S.R.K. Government Arts College, Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College and Pondicherry Engineering College. Medical colleges in Pondicherry are Vinayaka Missions Medical College, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College & Hospital, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College etc.

Also there are universities in Pondicherry offering degree and diploma courses. Pondicherry offers distance education in addition to the regular courses. Marketing, MBA, Finance, International Business and Human Resource Management are the job oriented courses for distance education. Various courses in French, Sanskrit and English are also taught at Pondicherry University. The top most universities offering higher education are Vinayaka Mission University and Pondicherry University.

Thus, Pondicherry is not only a popular tourist destination but also an important seat of education in India. Despite its small size, the number of educational institutions here are even more than larger cities elsewhere in India.

Pondicherry property is known for the colonial architecture reminiscent of the French colonial days. In modern times, Pondicherry is developing itself in terms of infrastructure, modern commercial ventures and housing complexes. Builders are investing on the properties of Pondicherry due to its vast potential. If you are planning to buy a property in this city, whether it’s a residential or a commercial property, it is worth the investment. Property rates in Pondicherry are quite affordable and one should expect high returns with the future development of this city.

The demand for residential and commercial real estate is enormous and therefore many construction companies are working on new development projects. Pondicherry has many software development complexes which cater to the blooming IT industry. Wipro and IBM being the popular software companies are stepping into the industrial zone of Pondicherry. This has in turn resulted in an increase in service sector at the same time, demand for commercial real estate is also on the increasing trend. Towns like Yanam, Karaikal, Mahe and Kurumbapet are on higher demand as far as properties are concerned.

Properties in Pondicherry can be sold with ease as there are several real estate companies waiting to buy them. Residents of Pondicherry relocate to different cities after selling their property at attractive price. Pondicherry attracts people with its scenic beauty, distinct culture, calm beaches and delicious French cuisine. Hence, there are many who wish to invest in colonial homes here and savor the distinct architectural heritage.

There are umpteen numbers of real estate agencies who can help you get the best deals as far as buying or selling properties are concerned. The major real estate agents involved in dealing properties are SRM Real Estate, Zacharia Properties and Pawan Properties. Besides, there are many online sites that provide information about real estate companies. The main agenda of real estate companies of Pondicherry includes renting out properties, selling properties in Pondicherry, promoting properties for sale, locating properties for leasing on rent.

Hence if you are interested on investing a property in Pondicherry, then you need to ensure that you have done your basic research before consulting a professional real estate agency. For those who have businesses in nearby cities and would like to tap into the growing market of Pondicherry, now is the time to invest to take advantage of the growth and development that it will see in the coming years.

For those who are traveling to Pondicherry, road maps are a handy accessory while traveling around the place. Various online resources as well as printed road maps are available with tourist offices which can help one to reach Pondicherry from the nearby cities or for sightseeing within the territory itself. Chennai to Pondicherry is a popular route and one can avail of Pondicherry maps to get to know the various highway routes, buses as well as train routes between Chennai and Pondicherry.

If you are planning a trip to Pondicherry then you should ensure that hotel reservations are done in advance. Nothing can be worse than being stranded without an accommodation as per your choice in an unknown city. Once the reservation is done, it is best to note down the contact information of the place you will be staying as well as public transport facilities which can help you to reach your destination in Pondicherry.

Medical emergency can be a concern for most of us. An injury or illness needs to be dealt with utmost care. If you have the medical emergency number saved with you then it makes the situation less complicated. Hence it is advisable to save medical emergency number for your convenience. Please prefix the STD code 0413 before the phone numbers. Some of the emergency ambulance numbers for Pondicherry are Ashok Nursing Home, Phone: 2336567, Jipmer Ambulance Service, Phone: 2272380-89, Sedhu Nursing Home, Phone: 2336878.

While in Pondicherry, if you face a situation of assault or robbery then you should report it to the police at the earliest. This helps the police to take action and aid tourists recover their stolen properties. Contact details of Police should also be saved. Police Control Room – 2337243, 2336790, Inspector general of Police – 2334006, Traffic Police – 2336087.

Other important contact numbers to carry while traveling are your bank contact details. This will help you in scenarios like loss or misplace of your debit/credit cards, running out of funds etc. You could have your card blocked immediately to avoid any kind of misuse of cards. Also online transfer of cash can be done with the help of these important numbers.

It is very essential to carry important contact details while traveling to any destination. You must also have on you or on your luggage your home address and whom to contact in case of emergencies. One must be prepared to encounter any kind of emergency. Therefore personal safety measures need to be taken beforehand to deal with emergencies while traveling.