Before you go
The four districts are former French enclaves on three states' coasts. Auroville and Karaikal's pilgrim sites are in Tamil Nadu and are filed there.
No official lodging register could be read, so no stays are listed.
Top places to visit in Puducherry
One place from each district that our guide covers in depth.
Thirunallar Darbaranyeswarar (Saneeswaran) Temple
Temple to Shiva and Shani (Saturn) in the Thirunallar commune of Karaikal district, one of the Navagraha shrines (Wikipedia).
St. Theresa Shrine
The Shrine of St. Theresa of Avila at Mahe is one of the oldest Shrines in India and probably the oldest in Malabar. According to the historical document, “De Missione Mahinensi in Malabaribus Commentarius” by Rev. (district portal; wording is the source's own claim)
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Spiritual community founded around Sri Aurobindo in Puducherry (Incredible India).
Catholic Church
Ann's Catholic Church There was an interesting story behind this chruch that in the year 1943 a Ship named Villiam B. Augustus, was thrown to a sand island due to heavy cyclone. (district portal)
Districts of Puducherry 4
4 (former French enclaves) — Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, Yanam. Mahe and Yanam are census districts; keep all four as navigable regions. Guides live for all 4.
Puducherry
Former capital of French India.Highlights: Sri Aurobindo AshramKaraikal
Former French enclave on the Tamil Nadu coast.Highlights: Thirunallar Darbaranyeswarar (Saneeswaran) TempleMahe
Former French enclave on the Kerala coast.Highlights: St. Theresa ShrineYanam
Former French enclave on the Godavari, Andhra Pradesh.Highlights: Catholic Church
Festivals and dates to plan around
- Bastille Day celebrations — Puducherry: 14 July (estimate)
- Masi Magam — Puducherry beaches: February-March; date to confirm