Pondicherry, Capital city Pondicherry
Area: 492 sq. km
Population: 808,000

Introduction
The union territory of Pondicherry lies on the Coromandel Coast, about 160 kms, South of Chennai. It is compassed by the Bay of Bengal on the east, and on the other three sides by the South Arcot district of Tamil Nadu.

Geography
The city centre is oval-shaped, with streets perpendicularly aligned to one another and encircled by a 5,5 km long Boulevard.

History
The history of modern Pondicherry started with the arrival of French in 1673, who ruled most part of the time except a brief period till 1954, when Pondicherry joined the Indian Union. During the British rule in India, Pondicherry used to be a hideout place for freedom fighters, since it was under French rule and that way it played a major role in Indian freedom movement

Places of Interest
Shri Aurobindo Ashram
Known as the centre of Integral Yoga, it was founded in 1920 by Aurobindo, the freedom fighter and philosopher. Today, the tombs of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother lie here and everyday thousands of people pay floral tributes to them. The spiritual ambience of Pondicherry is Internationally acknowledged with the ashram and for those tourists seeking spiritual solace. Pondicherry offers peace and tranquility.

Botanical Garden & Aquarium
Started in 1826 by C.S. Perrotet, it preserves a large variety of exotic species plants from all over India and abroad. It conducts garden fairs annually for the benefit of the public. Inside the gardens is located the well maintained 'Aquarium', a must visit place.

Auroville
Auroville - 'The 'City of Dawn', is located 10 kms north of Pondicherry town. The Mother, the Paris-born painter-musician and disciple of Sri Aurobindo started this ‘Universal town’ in 1968. At Auroville, there is no nationality, no creeds, no politics and it aims in peace and harmony. Every year, thousands of foreign people make a visit here and it is one the most popular place among Indians too.

Weather and Climate
The climate is tropical, which means hot and humid, especially between April and September. The monsoon sets in in October/ November and lasts till the end of December. In July-August Pondicherry gets a light brush from the Southwest monsoon, which rages over the western part of India. 

People
A large part of the population is native from other parts of India and a substantial number of foreign residents have taken to Pondicherry. 

Religion
The population is predominantly Tamil speaking and Hindu. However, since Pondicherry has a mixed people, the result is an exposure to different cultures has given the town a diverse religious outlook. You will find Hindu temples, Christian churches and mosques.

Festivals
Festivals of Pondicherry differ from the rest of India, for the French influence still persists prominently here. 
Masquerade
Masquerade, held in March -April, is a popular mask festival, during which brilliantly costumed and masked people of Pondicherry, dance down the streets to the music of trumpets and accordions.
Bastille Day 
During the Eve of the Bastille Day, retired soldiers parade the streets in war finery, singing the French and Indian National Anthem. 
Masimagam 
Festival is celebrated during full moon day around mid-March. That time, deities of sixty-four temples from in and around Pondicherry are brought in the 'Temple car' to the beach for sanctimonious sea bath rituals. Later, the images are once again once again fixed on the car and taken back to their respective temples.

Language
Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, English and French

Handicrafts
Pondicherry has lots of handicraft, furniture and decor shops; a special mention is the leather craft and the beautiful handmade items of the Shri Aurobindo Ashram, which includes perfumes, incense and high-quality handmade paper.