Useful Tips

(I) CLIMATE AND WEATHER

The climate of South India and Pondicherry

The South Indian climate is warm and humid, with humidity levels often exceeding 80%. As a result temperatures can often feel higher than they are. The warmest period is during the month of May and June, when the climate becomes almost unbearable with temperatures reaching 42/43 °C. The coolest period is between November and February, temperature is around 24/29°C.

There is a monsoon (rainfall season) between mid-October and mid-November. In August, there is the "little monsoon" with dramatic thunderstorms, July and August are warm (around 30/35°C), the rain, relatively, cools the weather.

The best season to visit Pondicherry is between November and March. July, August and September are warmer but still pleasant. Shops, hotels, taxis often have A/C- really useful. However, one needs to be careful as going from hot to cold, rapidly, can be uncomfortable.

(II) CURRENCY CONVERTER - EURO / INDIAN RUPEE

(III) IMPORTANT DAYS

Important days gives an approximate special dates of festivals and holidays celebrated in Pondicherry and India.

JANUARY

1 : New Year
14 to 17 : Pongal - Pongal is the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu - Tamil New Year
26 : Republic Day (Republic was created in 1950)
30 : Thai Poosam, ceremony for Muruga

FEBRUARY

12 : Maha Shivaratri (Night of Shiva) is a Hindu festival
21 : The mother's birthday (Darshan day)
29 : The Supramental Manifestation day (Darshan day)

MARCH

1 : Holi - Holi, also called the Festival of Colors, is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in India
3 : Milad un Nabi, Shia - Observance of the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad
8 : Women's Day
24 : Ram Navami - Lord Rama's birthday
28 : Mahavir Jayanthi - In Jainism, Mahavir Jayanti is the most important religious holiday. It celebrates the birth of Mahavira

APRIL

2 : Good Friday - Good Friday is the day on which Jesus Christ was crucified
24 : The Mother's final arrival in Pondicherry (Darshan day)

AUGUST

11 : Ramadan Begins - Ramadan was the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.
15 : Independence Day, claimed in 1947 and Sri Aurobindo's birthday (Darshan day)
16 : Pondicherry Independence Day (1962)
23 : Onam - Onam is the biggest festival in the South Indian state of Kerala and marks the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali.

SEPTEMBER

10 : Id-Ul-Fitr, Ramadan Ends
11 : Ganesh Chaturathi - It is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi. It is the birthday of Lord Ganesh.

OCTOBER

2 : Gandhi Jayanti - Gandhi Jayanti is a National Holiday celebrated in India to mark the occasion of the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi
17 : Dussehra - A 10 day ceremony of fast, rituals, celebrations to honor the mother Goddess and triumph of Lord Rama over Demon Ravana.

NOVEMBER

5 : Diwali - In Hinduism, Diwali marks the return of Lord Raama to his kingdom Ayodhya after defeating Ravana
14 : Children's Day - As a tribute to Nehru (legendary freedom fighter and independent India's first Prime Minister) and his love for children, Children's Day is celebrated on his birth date.
17 : The Mother's Mahasamadhi (Darshan day)
24 : Siddhi day (Darshan day)

DECEMBER

5 : Sri Aurobindo's Mahasamadhi (Darshan day)
7 : Al-Hijira, Muharram Begins - Muharram (Arabic) is the first month of the Islamic calendar. Muharram is so called because it was unlawful to fight during this month; the word is derived from the word 'haram' meaning forbidden.
25 : Christmas