Introduction:

The Union Territory of Pondicherry (recently renamed as Puducherry) comprises of 4 coastal regions viz. - Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. The area of Pondicherry is scattered over three different states in the country – Pondicherry, the capital of the UT is in Tamil Nadu, Karaikal region is embedded in the Nagappattinam and Tiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu, Mahe in the west coast of Kerala and Yanam is in Andhra Pradesh. The origin of Pondicherry is buried in legends. According to one view, the town was once called Vedapuri and was a seat of Vedic culture, and the abode of Sage Agastya. Prof. Jonvean Dubrouil, the French archeologist believes that the Ashram of Agastya was on the very spot where the main building of Sri Aurobindo Ashram stands today. The geographic area of Pondicherry is 49,300 ha. The Union Territory, is scattered over four locations, each having the status of a district ; Pondicherry (Tamil Nadu), Karaikal (Tamil Nadu), Yanam (Andhra Pradesh) and Mahe (Kerala). The main territory of Pondicherry lies on the east coast, about 180 km south of Chennai. Karaikal is about 150 km south of Pondicherry on the east coast, Yanam on the east coast adjoining Godavari district and Mahe on the Malabar coast on the Western Ghats. Physiography is almost plain and climate is tropical. Pondicherry and its surrounding enclaves lie on the drainage basin of the Gingee river.

There are many sightseeing places like :- Bharati Museum, Bharatidasan Museum, Arikamedhu, Auroville, Boat House, Botanical Garden, Eglise De Sacre Coeur De Jesus, Government Square, Pondicherry Museum, Promenade, Raj Niwas, Shri Aurobindo Ashram, Thiruvakkarai, Pondicherry Beach.

Fairs & Festivals :
Fire Walking Festival
Three of four times in a year, local temples conclude their annual festivals with hundreds of men, women and children walking on fire for fulfilment of their vows.

Veerampattinam Car Festival
It is about 6 km South of Pondicherry. The Chengazhunir Amman Temple in the coastal village of Veerampattinam, is the venue for the annual Car Festival which takes place on the fifth Friday of the Tamil month of Adi or in the following month of Avani (July-August).

Masi Magam
This annual festival takes place on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Masi (February-March). Deities from as many as 38 temples in and around Pondicherry are brought in ceremonial processions to the seashore fro a symbolic immersion ceremony. Thousands of people go to the seashore to have a dip in the sea which is said to wash away one's sins..

Villianur Car Festival
It is about 10 km from Pondicherry (Pondy-Villupuram route). The Car Festival is celebrated at Lord Thirukameeswarar Temple in Villianur.