According to the indices recorded in the Census 2001, the population of Pondicherry is estimated ti be 9,73,829. The local people converse mainly in English, French, Tamil and Telegu. In fact, Pondicherry was an erstwhile French settlement and traces of its colonial past are dispersed all over the union territory.
The principal Pondicherry town and its surrounding bucolic villages cover an area of approximately 290 sq. km. Another notable town, Karaikal lies along the Malabar Coast spans across an area of 161 sq. km while the miniscule Mahe and Yanam townships occupy 9 sq. km and 20 sq. km, respectively.
Pondicherry town, the official headquarters of the union territory is sited at about 162 km from the urban metropolis of Chennai.
The Pondicherry weather is marked by the archetypal searing hot and humid tropical summers. The winters are mild and driving monsoon downpours commence between the months of July and October. The congenial and salubrious Pondicherry winters witness a steady influx of tourists who rejoice in the colorful festive celebrations.
A visit to the coastal union territory not only enlightens tourists on the facts on Pondicherry but also transports them to an Elysium far from the claustrophobic clutches of the concrete jungles.
Capital of Pondicherry
Pondicherry town, the capital of Pondicherry is an ancient town shrouded in history and mythology. A part of an erstwhile French settlement for over 300 years, the annals of history associate Pondicherry town with the legendary ancient Indian savant Agastya. To add to the union territory's claim to fame, the quaint town also happened to be the final retreats of one of India's greatest revolutionaries, Sri Aurobindo who had played a monumental role in during India's tumultuous struggle for freedom.
Pondicherry town's long colonial years spanned from 1675 until 1954 when it finally coalesced with the newly independent Indian Union. Once upon a town, the tiny and inconspicuous villages that constitute the present Pondicherry witnessed a drastic change of fate when it suddenly burgeoned in a bustling hub of trade and commerce as well as a center of academic excellence where droves of erudite luminaries would flock to quench their intellectual appetite.
The town lies close to the beach and the sun kissed beaches and the exotic combination of white sands, emerald green sea and plenty of bright sunshine is a major draw. Another talking point of the capital of Pondicherry are the quaint colonial houses, police stations and occasional statuettes of Joan of Arc that are a hallmark of the French connection. The world famous Aurobindo Ashram and its offshoot, Auroville are also housed in this town.
Pondicherry town that serves as the capital of its namesake, the union territory of Pondicherry is endowed with an excellent network of arterial roads that facilitate road transport as well as a railway network. The Vayudoot services permit people to arrive by air in the tropical paradise.
Weather in Pondicherry
The tropical paradise of the union territory of Pondicherry with its exotic cocktail of the sun kissed white sands and the emerald green seas and plenty of bright sunshine is an irresistible attraction for tourists all across the world. The salubrious Pondicherry weather undoubtedly augments the tourism potential of the union territory.
The archetypal tropical climate characterizes the Pondicherry weather. Searing hot summers and mild winters define the weather of the coastal union territory. Driving monsoon downpours when the overlooming nimbus clouds unfold to unveil a rich blue skies are also typical of Pondicherry. The months spanning between January to July are usually dry while October, November and December witness pouring rains that nearly wash away the coastal villages. Often, it also rains cats and dogs in the stretch extending from July to September. Seasonal showers brought forth by the northeast monsoon are also not an unusual affair.
April is supposedly the hottest month of Pondicherry recorded by the barometer when the mercury soars to sweltering degrees. However the mild and bracing winters are rather pleasant. They offer a welcome break from the scorching heat of the summer, yet are not too cold. The average temperature of Pondicherry varies between 24° Celsius to 30° Celsius. The maximum temperature to be recorded by the barometer happens to be 43° Celsius. The blistering summers are often painful when the temperature exceeds the 40°Celsius.
The salubrious and congenial Pondicherry climate makes winter the ideal time to visit the union territory that is all dressed up in the colors of the season to celebrate the annual festival.
Pondicherry Population
Pondicherry's Population presents a fair picture of the comparative growth in the total population, rate of increase in population between zero to six years of age and ratio of literate people to the total inhabitants of the Union Territory.