With a coastline of 32 kms, well-planned French boulevard town, palm-fringed beaches, backwaters, water sports centre, harbour, the famous Aurobindo Ashram, the International city of Auroville and other attractions, Pondicherry is the ideal place to enjoy the holidays. Also known as Pondy, this beautiful place has for long been a symbol of French rule in India. What we see today is what the French had made of Pondy, during their stay of nearly two and a half centuries here. The colonial buildings here are a witness to the bygone era. However excavations in the south of Pondicherry have also shown Roman settlement during the second century B.C. and second century A.D.
How to reach
Air: The Chennai airport is 135 kms from Pondicherry and flights connect to major cities in India and directly to destinations in Europe, Asian, Middle East and the US.Rail: the nearest rail junction is Villupuram.
Rail: Pondicherry is connected by rail to Villupuram (36 kms), which connects to Chennai and Madurai/Trivandrum. The trains to and from Pondy are slow and few.
Road: The best choice for getting to Pondy from Chennai (150 km) and Bangalore (320 km) is by taxi or bus. Buses depart from Chennai at the Tamil Nadu State Express Bus Stand (also known as the Thiruvalluvur Bus Stand) at Parry's Corner on a regular basis and take about four hours to reach Pondy's bus stand. If you have a choice of buses, the East Coast Road is more scenic than National Highway 45 through Tindivanam.
Rail: Pondicherry is connected by rail to Villupuram (36 kms), which connects to Chennai and Madurai/Trivandrum. The trains to and from Pondy are slow and few.
Road: The best choice for getting to Pondy from Chennai (150 km) and Bangalore (320 km) is by taxi or bus. Buses depart from Chennai at the Tamil Nadu State Express Bus Stand (also known as the Thiruvalluvur Bus Stand) at Parry's Corner on a regular basis and take about four hours to reach Pondy's bus stand. If you have a choice of buses, the East Coast Road is more scenic than National Highway 45 through Tindivanam.
Weather
Pondicherry has a hot and humid climate with temperatures ranging between 26 and 38°C. During this time it is mostly dry with a blue sky. The main rainy season is in November-January and the 'small' monsoon in July-September relieves Pondy from the summer heat with light showers.
Best Seasons
The best visiting to visit is between September and March.
Near By Places
from Pondicherry
Mahabalipuram ( 85.47 Kms )
Chennai ( 133.24 Kms )
Kumbakonam ( 118.95 Kms )
Velankanni ( 139.33 Kms )
Swamimalai ( 121.75 Kms )
Thiruvannamalai ( 88.07 Kms )
Thanjavur ( 148.13 Kms )
Tirupathi ( 195.84 Kms )
Pondicherry - Destinations