Park Monument (Aayi Mandapam) in the Government Park of Puducherry, India. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The baptismal font at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Puducherry (Pondicherry), India. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pondicherry is spread across the 3 South Indian states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. It is affectionately called Pondy and officially called Puducherry. Pondicherry, the French Colony in India, is four small pieces of land spread across 3 Indian states.

Pondicherry (Alias Pondy Alias Puducherry) and Karaikal are the other two parts of Pondicherry within Tamilnadu state.

Karaikal is at a distance of 114 kilometers South of Pondicherry within Tamilnadu on the Bay of Bengal Coast.

Mahe is one part of Pondy in northern Kerala on the Arabian Sea coast at a distance of around 625 kilometers West of Pondy.

Yenam Alias Yanaon in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh near the Bay of Bengal coast at 870 kilometers northeast of Pondy is the other part of Pondy.

Pondicherry, a Union Territory, is tax heaven; buying high-cost items is economical in Pondy.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram is famous among tourists to Pondy. Auroville is a city developed near Pondicherry in the neighboring Villupuram district of Tamilnadu, on the vision of Rishi Aurobindo (Rishi means Hindu saint) and the mother, dedicated to human unity where people of all countries can live in peace and harmony. The golden metallic crystal sphere in the town is the largest of such kind in the world.

Pondicherry has a lot of French citizens, and many Pondy residents live and work in France. Many, including locals, are getting a French pension in India.

What are the Places to Visit in Pondicherry?

Puducherry has many beautiful colonial buildings, temples, churches, statues, beaches, etc., making it an ideal tourist location. Streets are well-planned French-style avenues, making them look beautiful.

War memorial, Old Lighthouse, Museum exhibiting the city’s French connection,   beach opposite the secretariat, etc, are the places commonly visited by tourists.  Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a Gothic architecturally styled church, which is 110 years old.

Promenade Beach is a 1.2-kilometer-long beautiful beach starting near the War Memorial and ending at Dupleix Park.  The War Memorial is on the beach road. Dupleix Park is also on the beach road. It has the statue of the erstwhile French ruler, Dupleix.

Are There Any Good Hotels in Pondy?

There are many good hotels in Pondy. Palais de Mahe, Villa Shanti, Pondicherry Executive Inn Pvt Ltd, Hotel Tamizh Park, Le Pondy, Club Mahindra Puducherry, The Promenade, Windflower Resort, etc, are to name a few good hotels in Pondicherry. You can find a lot of budget hotels near the Government Bus station and in the nearby areas.