Puducherry

The French Riviera of the East” Pondicherry with its hotels, restaurants and shops sells a seductive vision of the French continental aesthetic enhanced by its Indian artists and designers.

Streets that jostle with festivities and the petite cafes that spot the bougainvillaea-d boulevards come together to create an enthralling ambience. Pondicherry's calm has resonated with legions of tourists. Much of its quietude is foretold by Auroville and The Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Not far behind are its beaches and the plethora of monuments with a French sheen which isn't just a peel-away layer. Pondy has evolved with the epoch but has acquiesced with its past most faithfully. You can enjoy fabulous shopping, French food, beer, plenty of yoga and meditation while you're here and experience the lifestyle of the natives.

Must Visit

Auroville tops the list of must-visits. Explore the White Town on foot and see Goubert Avenue and Rock Beach. Try scuba diving at The Chunnambar Boat House and The Karaikal Beach. Visit La Boutique d' Auroville, Mirra Boutique, and Kalki Boutique to pick up some home décor items and feast on a French breakfast followed by a hearty south Indian lunch.

Best time to visit

December to March is an ideal time to visit Pondicherry because of all the festivities, including Christmas and New Year. The Aurobindo Ashram celebrates the birthday of Mirra Alfassa, the foundress of Auroville, and the International Yoga Festival is observed from the 4th of January to the 7th. The vibrancy of Pongal, celebrated during winter is a brilliant treat to the senses.

Trivia

The Governor of the French East India Company established a commercial centre in Pondicherry in 1674, making it the principal French base in India.

Interest

French colonial heritage and a unique blend of Indian and European influences make Puducherry a vibrant display of culture. It features charming French-style architecture, colourful streets, and landmarks like the Sri Aurobindo Ashram along with a lively local art scene.

Puducherry is a wellness sanctuary. Aurobindo Ashram's Integral Yoga Center, various Ayurvedic spas, holistic treatments, and wellness-focused resorts ensure a relaxing experience while providing the rejuvenation your body needs in a serene coastal setting.

Destination at a glance

PUDUCHERRY WEATHER
The stay at Puducherry is as exciting as all that encompasses this abode of nature. From luxurious resorts to more rustic settlements where the experience of the jungle life is most conspicuous, Puducherry is ready to welcome you to witness the bounty of nature complete with its scintillating flora and fauna while also allowing you a respite from your tedious unadventurous everyday life.

Premium

Accord Puducherry

Hotel | Premium | 1 TN Main Rd

pool spa restaurant room_service wifi local_parking

Starts @ ₹ 7,500/-

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Bonjour Ocean Spray

Hotel | Premium | Majakuppam

pool spa restaurant room_service wifi local_parking

Starts @ ₹ 9,000/-

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La Villa

Boutique | Premium | 11 Surcouf St

pool restaurant room_service wifi local_parking

Starts @ ₹ 15,000/-

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Le Pondy

Resort | Premium | Pudukuppam

pool restaurant room_service wifi local_parking

Starts @ ₹ 11,500/-

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The Promenade

Hotel | Premium | 23 Goubert

pool restaurant room_service wifi local_parking

Starts @ ₹ 8,800/-

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Standard

Mahindra Puducherry

Resort | Standard | Manapattu

pool restaurant room_service wifi local_parking

Starts @ ₹ 11,500/-

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Dune de l'Orient

Boutique | Standard | 17 RRR St

pool restaurant room_service wifi local_parking

Starts @ ₹ 4,500/-

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Dune Eco Village & Spa

Resort | Standard | 70 ECR

pool spa restaurant room_service wifi local_parking

Starts @ ₹ 6,500/-

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Le Dupleix ~ Sarovar

Boutique | Standard | 5 RDC St

pool restaurant room_service wifi local_parking

Starts @ ₹ 9,500/-

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Palais De Mahe

Hotel | Standard | 4 Rue Bussy

pool restaurant room_service wifi local_parking

Starts @ ₹ 13,967/-

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RKN Beach Resort

Resort | Standard | Pudukuppam

pool restaurant room_service wifi local_parking

Starts @ ₹ 8,000/-

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Pondicherry Bay

Resort | Standard | Ariyankuppam

pool restaurant room_service wifi local_parking

Starts @ ₹ 14,500/-

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A retreat to the arms of nature is the perfect antidote to the unending hustle and bustle of city life. Digha is a nature lover’s paradise, with its stunning beaches and peaceful environment. Sitting on the beach, a young coconut in hand, as the undulating waves brush past your feet intermittently - this serenity is the coastal town’s defining experience. Take your pick of the New Digha or the Old Digha beaches or the neighbouring Udaipur, Shankarpur, Chandpur or Talasari beaches for a memorable day by the sea.

New Digha Beach Water Sports

Digha, Purba Medinipur, Kolkata, West Bengal 721428

Digha is a small coastal hamlet, covered by the sands of the shore almost completely. The New Digha beach is one of its attractions, found after a quick stroll through the town. Enjoy the large waves rushing past each other on the water on their way to meet the powdery sands.

Good To Know: Often reached after traversing over the eroded rocks stacked on the edge of the sands, the beach is a stunning spot for bathing under the sun or in the sea.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

Chandpur Beach Water Sports

Chandpur Sea Beach, Chandapur, West Bengal 721423

While the traditional beach invokes the image of blue waves on ochre sands, Chandpur Beach creates an illustration of the passage of time. It invites all those looking to spend quiet moments amidst the myriad shades of nature.

Good To Know: Often reached after traversing over the eroded rocks stacked on the edge of the sands, the beach is a stunning spot for bathing under the sun or in the sea.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days
A retreat to the arms of nature is the perfect antidote to the unending hustle and bustle of city life. Digha is a nature lover’s paradise, with its stunning beaches and peaceful environment. Sitting on the beach, a young coconut in hand, as the undulating waves brush past your feet intermittently - this serenity is the coastal town’s defining experience. Take your pick of the New Digha or the Old Digha beaches or the neighbouring Udaipur, Shankarpur, Chandpur or Talasari beaches for a memorable day by the sea.

New Digha Beach Water Sports

Digha, Purba Medinipur, Kolkata, West Bengal 721428

Digha is a small coastal hamlet, covered by the sands of the shore almost completely. The New Digha beach is one of its attractions, found after a quick stroll through the town. Enjoy the large waves rushing past each other on the water on their way to meet the powdery sands.

Good To Know: Often reached after traversing over the eroded rocks stacked on the edge of the sands, the beach is a stunning spot for bathing under the sun or in the sea.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

Chandpur Beach Water Sports

Chandpur Sea Beach, Chandapur, West Bengal 721423

While the traditional beach invokes the image of blue waves on ochre sands, Chandpur Beach creates an illustration of the passage of time. It invites all those looking to spend quiet moments amidst the myriad shades of nature.

Good To Know: Often reached after traversing over the eroded rocks stacked on the edge of the sands, the beach is a stunning spot for bathing under the sun or in the sea.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days
A retreat to the arms of nature is the perfect antidote to the unending hustle and bustle of city life. Digha is a nature lover’s paradise, with its stunning beaches and peaceful environment. Sitting on the beach, a young coconut in hand, as the undulating waves brush past your feet intermittently - this serenity is the coastal town’s defining experience. Take your pick of the New Digha or the Old Digha beaches or the neighbouring Udaipur, Shankarpur, Chandpur or Talasari beaches for a memorable day by the sea.

New Digha Beach Water Sports

Digha, Purba Medinipur, Kolkata, West Bengal 721428

Digha is a small coastal hamlet, covered by the sands of the shore almost completely. The New Digha beach is one of its attractions, found after a quick stroll through the town. Enjoy the large waves rushing past each other on the water on their way to meet the powdery sands.

Good To Know: Often reached after traversing over the eroded rocks stacked on the edge of the sands, the beach is a stunning spot for bathing under the sun or in the sea.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

Chandpur Beach Water Sports

Chandpur Sea Beach, Chandapur, West Bengal 721423

While the traditional beach invokes the image of blue waves on ochre sands, Chandpur Beach creates an illustration of the passage of time. It invites all those looking to spend quiet moments amidst the myriad shades of nature.

Good To Know: Often reached after traversing over the eroded rocks stacked on the edge of the sands, the beach is a stunning spot for bathing under the sun or in the sea.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days
A retreat to the arms of nature is the perfect antidote to the unending hustle and bustle of city life. Digha is a nature lover’s paradise, with its stunning beaches and peaceful environment. Sitting on the beach, a young coconut in hand, as the undulating waves brush past your feet intermittently - this serenity is the coastal town’s defining experience. Take your pick of the New Digha or the Old Digha beaches or the neighbouring Udaipur, Shankarpur, Chandpur or Talasari beaches for a memorable day by the sea.

New Digha Beach Water Sports

Digha, Purba Medinipur, Kolkata, West Bengal 721428

Digha is a small coastal hamlet, covered by the sands of the shore almost completely. The New Digha beach is one of its attractions, found after a quick stroll through the town. Enjoy the large waves rushing past each other on the water on their way to meet the powdery sands.

Good To Know: Often reached after traversing over the eroded rocks stacked on the edge of the sands, the beach is a stunning spot for bathing under the sun or in the sea.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

Chandpur Beach Water Sports

Chandpur Sea Beach, Chandapur, West Bengal 721423

While the traditional beach invokes the image of blue waves on ochre sands, Chandpur Beach creates an illustration of the passage of time. It invites all those looking to spend quiet moments amidst the myriad shades of nature.

Good To Know: Often reached after traversing over the eroded rocks stacked on the edge of the sands, the beach is a stunning spot for bathing under the sun or in the sea.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days
A retreat to the arms of nature is the perfect antidote to the unending hustle and bustle of city life. Digha is a nature lover’s paradise, with its stunning beaches and peaceful environment. Sitting on the beach, a young coconut in hand, as the undulating waves brush past your feet intermittently - this serenity is the coastal town’s defining experience. Take your pick of the New Digha or the Old Digha beaches or the neighbouring Udaipur, Shankarpur, Chandpur or Talasari beaches for a memorable day by the sea.

New Digha Beach Water Sports

Digha, Purba Medinipur, Kolkata, West Bengal 721428

Digha is a small coastal hamlet, covered by the sands of the shore almost completely. The New Digha beach is one of its attractions, found after a quick stroll through the town. Enjoy the large waves rushing past each other on the water on their way to meet the powdery sands.

Good To Know: Often reached after traversing over the eroded rocks stacked on the edge of the sands, the beach is a stunning spot for bathing under the sun or in the sea.
Meals
Time
Buffet
Breakfast
7.30 - 2.30 pm
₹ 150/- + GST
Lunch
3.00 - 6.00 pm
₹ 150/- + GST
Dinner
-
-

Chandpur Beach Water Sports

Chandpur Sea Beach, Chandapur, West Bengal 721423

While the traditional beach invokes the image of blue waves on ochre sands, Chandpur Beach creates an illustration of the passage of time. It invites all those looking to spend quiet moments amidst the myriad shades of nature.

Good To Know: Often reached after traversing over the eroded rocks stacked on the edge of the sands, the beach is a stunning spot for bathing under the sun or in the sea.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days
A retreat to the arms of nature is the perfect antidote to the unending hustle and bustle of city life. Digha is a nature lover’s paradise, with its stunning beaches and peaceful environment. Sitting on the beach, a young coconut in hand, as the undulating waves brush past your feet intermittently - this serenity is the coastal town’s defining experience. Take your pick of the New Digha or the Old Digha beaches or the neighbouring Udaipur, Shankarpur, Chandpur or Talasari beaches for a memorable day by the sea.

New Digha Beach Water Sports

Digha, Purba Medinipur, Kolkata, West Bengal 721428

Digha is a small coastal hamlet, covered by the sands of the shore almost completely. The New Digha beach is one of its attractions, found after a quick stroll through the town. Enjoy the large waves rushing past each other on the water on their way to meet the powdery sands.

Good To Know: Often reached after traversing over the eroded rocks stacked on the edge of the sands, the beach is a stunning spot for bathing under the sun or in the sea.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

Chandpur Beach Water Sports

Chandpur Sea Beach, Chandapur, West Bengal 721423

While the traditional beach invokes the image of blue waves on ochre sands, Chandpur Beach creates an illustration of the passage of time. It invites all those looking to spend quiet moments amidst the myriad shades of nature.

Good To Know: Often reached after traversing over the eroded rocks stacked on the edge of the sands, the beach is a stunning spot for bathing under the sun or in the sea.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days
A retreat to the arms of nature is the perfect antidote to the unending hustle and bustle of city life. Digha is a nature lover’s paradise, with its stunning beaches and peaceful environment. Sitting on the beach, a young coconut in hand, as the undulating waves brush past your feet intermittently - this serenity is the coastal town’s defining experience. Take your pick of the New Digha or the Old Digha beaches or the neighbouring Udaipur, Shankarpur, Chandpur or Talasari beaches for a memorable day by the sea.

New Digha Beach Water Sports

Digha, Purba Medinipur, Kolkata, West Bengal 721428

Digha is a small coastal hamlet, covered by the sands of the shore almost completely. The New Digha beach is one of its attractions, found after a quick stroll through the town. Enjoy the large waves rushing past each other on the water on their way to meet the powdery sands.

Good To Know: Often reached after traversing over the eroded rocks stacked on the edge of the sands, the beach is a stunning spot for bathing under the sun or in the sea.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

Chandpur Beach Water Sports

Chandpur Sea Beach, Chandapur, West Bengal 721423

While the traditional beach invokes the image of blue waves on ochre sands, Chandpur Beach creates an illustration of the passage of time. It invites all those looking to spend quiet moments amidst the myriad shades of nature.

Good To Know: Often reached after traversing over the eroded rocks stacked on the edge of the sands, the beach is a stunning spot for bathing under the sun or in the sea.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days
Embroidered in the fabric of Pondicherry are sights, places, feelings, and songs each as good as the rest. Auroville's verdant streets, cafes, restaurants, and endless shopping destinations ensure a most gratifying experience. Explore the nooks and crannies of White Town's French roads that abound in bougainvillea-d corners and manicured gardens. A must is to try out water-sports at the Chunnambar Boat House for the much-desired thrill.

Pondicherry Beach

White Town, Pondicherry 605001

Hailed for its naturally occurring promenades, the shoreline of Rock Beach is nothing less than a majestic accouterment. The cyanic waves, the clear blue skies and the darkening rocks paint a picture as exquisite as the Promised Land. It is the perfect destination for walking along at dusk with the sun setting over you gently.

Good To Know: This is easily one of the most stunning parts of Pondicherry’s White Town, neighbouring the famous landmarks of Dupleix Park and The War Memorial.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

Paradise Beach

Manaveli Rd, Chinna Veerampattinam, Pudukuppam, Puducherry 605007

Chunnambar Beach is now popularly known as Paradise Beach for its beauty is nothing less than paradisiacal. The beach is away from the mainland and the only way to access it is via the ferry from the Chunnambar Boat House. This journey is speckled by palm trees and luxuriant mangroves. The beach and its concomitant journey is a treasure trove of delights much unlike anything in Pondicherry.

Good To Know: You can even find dolphins in the water. Many rare species of birds frequent this stretch as well.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

Ousteri Wetland & National Park

Pondicherry Villupuram Road, Pondicherry Ho, Pondicherry 605001

Colloquially called Osudu Lake, the national park was built around a century ago. Together they sustain avifauna and house numerous species of plants and trees. Due to its diverse flora and fauna, Osudu Lake is reckoned one of the most important wetlands in Asia. The atmosphere of the place is still and soft. You feel closest to its nature when you venture around it on a boat.

Good To Know: This expansive park stretching over 390 acres is rich in aquatic life and attracts scores of migratory birds.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

Seaside Promenade

Beach Road, Puducherry, 605001

You can easily perceive the unmistakable French influence on this promenade as you wander along the impeccably clean beach. Whether it is a cloud-covered overhead sky or a beautiful starry night that reminds you of the painting and the song, you can enjoy the beach regardless of all impediments. It is perfect for a romantic night out.

Good To Know: A series of café line the seashore convenient for grabbing a bite or even fine dining.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

French War Memorial

Mahe de Labourdonnais St, White Town, Puducherry, 605001

Located close to the Pondicherry beach, the French War Memorial is dedicated to the soldiers who were martyred during World War One and belongs to the French government. A plaque commemorating their names rests above it. The monument comprises four pillars enclosing the statue of a soldier poised with his gun. Situated behind the memorial, is a bronze structure marking Joseph Francois Dupleix’s (a former Governor General of Dutch India) arrival in Pondicherry.

Good To Know: On Bastille Day (14th July), it is illuminated in honour of the martyred soldiers.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

The Statue of Dupleix

Beach Road, Pondicherry Ho, Pondicherry 605001 (Goubert Avenue)

In 1742, Joseph François Dupleix became the Governor General of all the French colonies in India. In recognition of his contributions, a statue in his honour was commissioned in 1870. You will come across this statue at Place du Republique, Goubert Avenue. It is not far away from the Rock Beach and overlooks a children’s park on one end. The 3m high statue stands atop a skilfully carved granite column with admirable geometric specificity.

Good To Know: This is one of the most popular attractions here and often covered as a part of the Rock beach trail
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Door No, 132, South Boulevard, near Railway Station, MG Road Area, Puducherry, 605001

The grotto of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the church premises leads one into the church. A total of 24 columns support the interior of the church that presents an extraordinary blend of typical French and generic south-Indian architecture. The stained-glass panels within illustrate significant events from Jesus’ life and the patron saints associated with the Sacred Heart. Chandeliers light up the inside of this spacious church with an ethereal glow.

Good To Know: Built in 1902, this basilica is a prime example of neo-gothic architecture.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

Church of Our Lady of Angels

Rue, Dumas St, White Town, Puducherry, 605001

This church is more than its opulent white and golden interiors. The Capuchins of the Franciscan order established three churches within the same area since 1674 as all the extinct edifices were wrecked by decay or British extremism. Architecturally, the church blends harmoniously with its landscape. The front façade is a salmon/yellow affair, the polygonal dome and the two bell towers appear as a triangle atop the church- corpus.

Good To Know: Inside the premises you can also find the stupendous Joan of Arc statue and the Old Capuchin Cemetery.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

204, Mission St, MG Road Area, Puducherry, 605001

The accents of blue and gold on the Herrerian style, white edifice is a reminder of Pondicherry’s colonial past. Established by the Jesuits, this church has had its fair share of desecration in the hands of contending colonial powers- the Dutch and the British. Today the church stands in unabashed glory. The verdure, the statuettes, grottos, murals etcetera herald the most peaceful ambience.

Good To Know: On 8th December, the church community celebrates the Immaculate Conception’s feast day which is preceded by a novena.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

Aurobindo Ashram

No. 9, White Town, Puducherry, Marine Street, White Town, Pondicherry 605001

In 1926 with the help of his spiritual mentor, MirraAlfassa, better known as The Mother, Sri Aurobindo established the ashram that would become the epicentre of spirituality in Pondicherry. The ashram and the legions of followers affirm the beliefs of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. The ashram also houses their samadhis. The Aurobindo ashram is a tight-knit community that is welcoming to all who wish to learn their theories and practices.

Good To Know: Here he practiced and preached Integral Yoga, a discipline he devised for achieving inner peace and moksha.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

Auroville

Auroville Rd, Auroville, Puducherry, 605101

The “City of Dawn” was inaugurated by The Mother in 1968 to foster spirituality, sustainability and self-sufficiency. At the centre of this township of 3930 acres is the Matrimandir, an ornate geodesic dorm and an architectural masterpiece that honour the universal mother figure. Auroville’s magnitude and magnanimity can be felt in its verdure, hotels, restaurants and cafes. The services offered by this community include workshops, retreats and even internships.

Good To Know: It is recognised by UNESCO as “a project of importance to the future of humanity”.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

La Boutique D Auroville

No. 38, Jawaharlal Nehru St, MG Road Area, Puducherry, 605001

Here, you will find kurtis, scarves, stoles, an expansive collection of handbags and purses and childrens' clothes. You’ll come across some exciting home décor and kitchen essentials- like spices, jams and pickles and even crockery. Handmade notebooks, candles and perfumes on display are the perfect memorabilia. The most interesting finds are various musical instruments that you may have encountered in the galleries of Auroville.

Good To Know: Kurtis, stoles, handbags, spices, pickles, crockery, handmade notebooks, candles, perfumes & musical instruments.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

Chunnambar Boat House

Chunnambar River, Nonankuppam, Puducherry 605007

The Chunnambar Beach and Backwater Resort, an undertaking of The Pondicherry government, offers an experience like no other tourist destination in Pondicherry. The cruise leads to Paradise Beach where there is a multiplicity of water-sports to enthral you. The cruise to PlageParadiso is enticing to all the nature and wildlife aficionados as one can spot exotic birds, and even dolphins.

Good To Know: From picnicking, cruising, to camping overnight in one of their tree-houses, this tropical heaven offers such amusement that you simply have to visit it.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days

Raj Niwas

4, St Martin St, White Town, Puducherry, 605001

Raj Niwas presents a fascinating conglomeration of Indian and French architecture. It is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry. This heritage building has become accessible to tourists only recently. The police with their red kepis on stand their guard outside the grandiloquent structure making it a peculiar yet captivating sight to behold.

Good To Know: The most outstanding feature of architectural interest is the monolithic pillars that were disassembled from the Gingee Fort when the French occupied it in 1751.
Timing
Entry
Duration
Open On
Sunrise - Sunset
No Fee
1 - 2 hours
All Days
Pondicherry blooms and shrivels with its changing seasons. The summers are relentless, the monsoons- green and gray. The winters on the other hand are pleasant and refreshing. The lanes and by-lanes seep into the rain clouds or awake from a slumber as November approaches. May with its un-passionate heat and acrid days weakens a tiring spirit. The cantankerous outpourings of the monsoon months revitalise all that had slivered in the summer heat. Pondy's festivals, culture and food progress apace with these changing months.

Spring March

Spring is a blend of the cool and the warm and therefore presents a pleasant weather to enjoy the beaches and all its shenanigans. There’s greenery all around to complement the blue waters and the flowers are in bloom.

Good To Know: Often reached after traversing over the eroded rocks stacked on the edge of the sands, the beach is a stunning spot for bathing under the sun or in the sea.
Temperature
Humidity
Precipitation
18° C - 31° C
68%
22 mm

Summer April - June

Scorched by the intractable sun rays, the Pondy summer days experience temperatures as high as 41°C. The lowest the temperatures dip to is 26°C and the humidity sometimes hovers at 93%. You might have to calm yourself with curd rice and coconut water while exploring.

Good To Know: It is a good time to try out water-sport as there are hardly any tourists during this time. The Masquerade Festival, the Tamil New Year, and Easter are all celebrated during this time. So, summer is not without its share of extravagance and grandeur.
Temperature
Humidity
Precipitation
24° C - 34° C
80%
310 mm

Monsoon July - September

Pondicherry in view of its coastal location is among the first places in India to receive rainfall. The billowing clouds and the leaden skies precipitate into a weather with high humidity and an average temperature of 30°C. Tickets and accommodation tend to be cheaper as the monsoons are off-season.

Good To Know: A host of festivals are celebrated during this time, the most illustrious being Bastille Day (14th July) and Sri Aurobindo's Birth anniversary (15th August). Besides, the French and Tamil quarters with their picturesque house and lanes look absolutely divine in the monsoon rains.
Temperature
Humidity
Precipitation
28° C - 32° C
88%
415 mm

Autumn October - November

Autumn feels the impact of the heavy monsoons and the oncoming chilly winds of winter positing the perfect weather to revel in the beachfront and relish the water sports while also going around discovering all the nearby attractions.

Good To Know: Often reached after traversing over the eroded rocks stacked on the edge of the sands, the beach is a stunning spot for bathing under the sun or in the sea.
Temperature
Humidity
Precipitation
21° C - 30° C
81%
221 mm

Winter December - February

Imbued by the warmth and vitality of the winter sun, Pondicherry is absolutely ethereal during these months. The average daily temperature of 24°C is conducive to vacationing. All the seasonal gardens bloom and the seas rest calmly.

Good To Know: The radiance of the Kandoori festival and Karthikai deepam enliven all souls while illuminating the night skies. The churches celebrating Christmas are aglow in festive lights and effervescent with the spirit of love and life. The harvest festival of Pongal with its sweet smiling fragrance lets you drink life to the lees.
Temperature
Humidity
Precipitation
16° C - 26° C
66%
12 mm
Pondicherry is well connected to the rest of India and the world via flight and trains. Busses plying in and around Pondy are ideal if you're planning a budget trip. Within the union territory, you have auto-rickshaws, taxis, cycles, buses, private cars and scooters for hire that are convenient modes of transportation for sightseeing. However, to fathom certain parts of Pondicherry like the White Town, you have to walk out of hotel rooms and into the varying lanes and streets.

Airway Chennai Intl Airport

Pondicherry can be accessed from other parts of India and of the world via the airport at Chennai. The Union territory's Lawspet airport only provides chartered flights. Spicejet has a daily flight plying between Hyderabad and Pondicherry under the Regional Connectivity scheme. Other distinguished airlines operating in Pondy include Air India, Jet Airways, and Indigo. International airways connecting Pondy to places like Dubai, London, and New York include Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airways.

Distance
Road - 192 km
Driving - 4 hours 40 mins
Routes
Via NH16 & NH 116B - Esplanade - Howrah - Panchla - Bagnan - Kolaghat - Nandakumar - Bajkul - Henria - Marishda - Kanthi - Mandarmani - Digha

Railway Pondicherry Railway Station

The Pondicherry railway station is one of the oldest in India and part of the Tiruchirapalli railway division. Lying very close to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the Lawspet airport, the railways take on a bulk of transportation. Consequently, Pondicherry is well connected to the metropolitan cities via the railway station at Villupuram. This is the busiest station in all of Pondicherry with tourists and locals plying in and out constantly. Daily trains link this union territory to the neighbouring city of Chennai besides facilitating inter-city travel.

Distance
Road - 179 Kms
Driving - 4 hours 40 mins
Routes
Howrah - Panchla - Bagnan - Kolaghat - Nandakumar - Bajkul - Henria - Marishda - Kanthi - Mandarmani - Digha

Roadway State Owned Buses

Two national highways run through this union territory connecting its co-terminus capital with the southern parts of India. NH-45A links it to Villupuram, Cuddalore, Chidambaram and Nagapattinam while Nh-66 connects it to Tindivanam, Gingee, Thiruvannamalai and Krishnagiri. The ECR (East Coast Road) running through Pondy links Chennai with Cuddalore. All these roads with their perfect sceneries and motorable convenience are ideal for road-tripping. Besides there are buses provided by the Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu governments that ply between neighbouring cities and other destinations. This is a great option if you're on a tighter budget. These buses are safe, punctual and comfortable.

Distance
182 Kms
Driving - 4 hours 40 mins
Esplanade - Howrah - Panchla - Bagnan - Kolaghat - Nandakumar - Bajkul - Henria - Marishda - Kanthi - Mandarmani - Digha

Local Transport Rental

While in Pondy, you can avail of taxis, auto-rickshaws or rent cars from travel agencies to cover the tourist destinations. The local buses and the ones provided by the Pondicherry Tourism Development Corporation are also quite popular for their relative ease and connectivity. You can also rent scooters, bikes and cycles to explore the place on your own. These are usually available at cheap rates and are very pocket-friendly. However, the best way to navigate the French or Tamil quarters is on foot. The pastel houses with pretty overhanging flowers, cafes and restaurants are a becoming sight.

Mode
Van, Auto Rickshaw, Cycle rickshaw, Motor Bike

FAQs

Pondicherry’s weather is mostly warm throughout the year. The summer months are tedious while the winters are comfortable and pleasant. The monsoon rains are quite the transitional period between these two prominent seasons. You don’t have to carry any warm clothes as such except for the stray stole or light cardigan. Keep your wardrobe cotton, light and breathable; and your sunscreens, sunglasses handy.

It all depends on how much you want to spend. Pondicherry can be as expensive or as cheap as you will it to be. Accommodation, food and travel are available at various price points. You can splurge or restrain yourself as much as you want.

Well, if you’re just going to hit the tourist destinations, 4 days should be enough. If you’re pressed for time, go to Auroville- an international township and the microcosm of Pondy. If you spare a week, you can wander off into the expanse of the land and traverse to quaint towns and villages.

The food in Pondy is delightful. You will come across an abundance of Tamil and French foods being sold at posh restaurants and street-side stalls. North Indian cuisine is also available in the cafes and other eateries that intersperse the expanse.

In Pondy you can stay at one of the French houses that have been converted hotels. Besides, there are hostels at comparatively lower prices perfect for a budget trip.

Yes! And at very cheap rates. Puducherry, being a union territory doesn’t levy GST on alcoholic beverages. However, drinking is not permissible in public places.

Pondicherry is safe for travellers and has great couple-friendly accommodations. Whether you’re a girl sauntering along the lanes or a family with kids, you can be at relative ease while touring. The local residents are accustomed to seeing tourists of all kinds. So, chances are nobody is going to bat an eyelid irrespective of how conventional or offbeat you are in your approach to Pondy.

Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. Carry linen and cotton clothes because of the temperature. However, wear something ethnic or traditionally Indian when you visit the mosques or temples.

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