History of Puducherry

Situated on the Coromandel coast, about 160 kms south of Chennai, lies the Union Territory of Puducherry. The French ruled this territory for 300 years, and today, it stands as a living monument of the French culture in India. It is bound on the east by the Bay of Bengal and on the other three sides by the South Arcot District of Tamil Nadu. About 150 kilometres south of Puducherry, on the east coast, lies Karaikal, while Mahe is situated on the Malabar coast. Yanam is situated in the adjoining East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.

Puducherry traces its origin to Saint Agasthya, the revered sage of the south. The excavations near Puducherry reveal, that a Roman settlement existed here, 2000 years ago. It was also the site of many a battle between the British and the French, and was the capital of French India, before it attained its independence.

This restored, attractive, former French colony, exudes a Mediterranean aura with its chic streets, elegant houses, ornamental gardens and the Hotel de Ville. Being a small and quiet enclave of Tamil Nadu, it has imbibed the Tamilian culture. Apart from the charming atmosphere, excellent restaurants and cheap beer, what attracts most travellers to Puducherry is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and its offshoot, Auroville, 10 km outside town. The ashram, founded by Sri Aurobindo in the year 1926, has brought international reputation to this coastal town. The ashram, the spiritual tenets of which combine yoga and modern science is quite popular within India and abroad.

Festivals of Puducherry differ from the rest of India, for the French influence still persists prominently here. Masquerade, held in March - April, is a popular mask festival, during which brilliantly costumed and masked people of Puducherry, dance down the streets to the music of trumpets and accordions. During the Eve of the Bastille Day, retired soldiers parade the streets in war finery, singing the French and Indian National Anthem. French is still widely spoken, and the seaside villas and the cobbled streets are more reminiscent of the south of France than the south of India.

How to Reach Puducherry

The Union Territory of Puducherry is easily accessible through air, road and rail from the other major Indian cities and states.

By Air
Nearest International airport is Chennai,162 km from Puducherry. One can take flights for most of the important Indian cities as well as abroad.

By Rail
Puducherry is connected through a meter gauge (being converted to broad gauge) railway line with Villupuram. There is only one railway station between Puducherry and Villupuram i.e. Villianur.

By Road
Puducherry is well connected to most of the major towns of southern India by road. Puducherry and Chennai are well linked through picturesque East Coast Road (ECR) road.

Best Season, Climate, and Clothing
The climate of Puducherry is warm-humid with mean temperature 28-30o C in the summer and winters. Monsoon is prevalent from October to March. Cotton clothing is apt all through the year.

Temperature and Rain Fall Details