Pondicherry in April: Stay COOL with these Things To Do & See

I’ve been traveling through Pondicherry recently, and it made such an impression on me that I’ll probably go back when my family comes to visit me in India in April…

Pondicherry in April, what is there to do and see? The weather is hot, but you can explore in the morning and evening. Things to do: Promenade Beach, Sri Aurobindo’s Ashram, Ganesh Temple, Basilica Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Things to do to stay cool: Paradise Island Beach, Serenity Beach, Surfing Lessons, Pogo Land Water Park, Cafes with A/C. Hotels with A/C and a pool: Hotel Atithi, La Villa, The Promenade, and more.

–>I wrote a post about Pondicherry in August that is +5,000 words about what to do in this city when it’s hot or rainy. Check that out for more details.

Weather in Pondicherry in April

It will be hot in Pondicherry in April. Maybe I’m just used to hot weather after living in Texas and now India, but a high of 92 °F doesn’t sound too bad.

Let’s compare that with some other cities around the world for comparison.

I’ve looked at the hottest summer months in these cities:

	Temp [Min]	Temp [Avg]	Temp [Max]	Rainfall (mm)
Austin, TX [August]	73 °F (23 °C)	85 °F (29 °C)	96 °F (32 °C)	51
NYC, NY [July]	68 °F (20 °C)	76 °F (25 °C)	85 °F (29 °C)	106
LA, CA [August]	64 °F (18 °C)	75 °F (24 °C)	85 °F (30 °C)	4
Miami, FL [August]	77 °F (25 °C)	83 °F (28 °C)	88 °F (32 °C)	138
London [July]	57 °F (14 °C)	66 °F (19 °C)	75 °F (24 °C)	48
Moscow [July]	57 °F (14 °C)	65 °F (18 °C)	74 °F (23 °C)	89
Berlin [July]	56 °F (13 °C)	66 °F (19 °C)	75 °F (23 °C)	57
Shanghai [July]	76 °F (25 °C)	82 °F (28 °C)	89 °F (32 °C)	138
Tokyo [August]	75 °F (24 °C)	81 °F (27 °C)	87 °F (31 °C)	148
Sydney [February]	65 °F (18 °C)	72 °F (22 °C)	79 °F (26 °C)	147

As you can see it’s cooler in Pondicherry that in the hottest month in Austin, Texas.

Shanghai, Tokyo, and Miami have temperatures that are similar during their hottest month. Everywhere else is significantly cooler though.

Therefore, if you’re NOT used to hot weather, visiting Pondicherry in April may NOT be for you.

I’ll show you some ways you can see enjoy yourself though and stay cool.

You can explore in the mornings before 9 or 10 am. I was in Pondicherry in August, and it was hotter than the April temperatures. But it was nice to explore in the morning.

You can also explore in the evenings after 4 or 5 pm. Whether you want to go out for a nice dinner or go see the beach, the temperatures should drop enough for many people to enjoy themselves outdoors.

There’s not much rain in April. The monsoon season really gets going in October and November. You probably won’t see much or any rain in April.

It’s a little cooler by the ocean. There will be a breeze to bring the temperature down some.

It’s a little cooler in the shade. Not far from Pondicherry is the town of Auroville, which the residents turned into a lush forest over the last 50 years. There are so many large trees that it’s always a few degrees cooler there.

The benefit of going to Pondicherry in April is that you will not face as many crowds as if you went in January or February.

Things To Do Pondicherry in April: Popular Attractions

There are some things to do in Pondicherry that you can do anytime. Then below I’ll share some things you can do when it’s hot.

Promenade Beach (Also known as Rock Beach or Gandhi Beach)

I would head out to this beach to walk every morning. They close the road to cars before 9 am, so you can walk along the beach in peace.

You can also see a number of noteworthy sights as you walk. I liked:

• The Old Pier: It heads out into the water, so if you walk all the way out, you can get some good photos of the coast.
• Sandy beach: Near the Old Pier there’s a sandy beach. Most of the beach is black rocks, which is why it’s called Rock Beach. But here you can see people wading in. Most people go wading in their clothes 😁
• French Governor-General Statue: Joseph Francois Dupleix’s statue is on the south end of the beach.
• Joan of Arc Statue: Another ode to the French occupation here, as you can see a small park with a stone statue of Joan of Arc. The park was always closed but it looks nice and quiet with shady trees.
• Le Cafe: You can get a cappuccino or cafe au lait on the beach. I had breakfast here. Beware of the seagulls though, when I went to pick up my coffee they were quick to head towards my idly. There’s a waiter that can guard for you though!
• French Soldiers Memorial: Dedicated to Indian soldiers who fought for France in WWI.
• Gandhi Statue: This is the main attraction, and the reason the beach is called Gandhi Beach. The 13-foot tall statue is flanked by 8 granite pillars, and he’s impressive looking with the ocean behind him.
• Kargil War Memorial: A tribute to the Indian soldiers who died in the Kargil war against Pakistan.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

Sri Aurobindo was a political activist, who was once thrown in jail in charges about a bombing. He was released when the witness testifying against him was murdered… Eek!

He did serve some time in jail, where he had some spiritual visions.

After he was released, he moved to Pondicherry and focused on his inner life. He spent some years in seclusion. Then he started writing about his thoughts and experiences. He was one of the only Indian authors writing in English at that time and influenced Indian figures like Nehru, the first prime minister.

He started with a very small following for many years, but they grew and grew, especially as Mirra Alfassa joined his following. She was gifted spiritually and also very driven to work hard alongside him.

The Sri Aurobindo Ashram was built in 1926.

Now it’s a popular tourist destination and when I went early in the morning, seekers were already lining up.

You can see a number of things at the ashram:

• Sri Aurobindo and Mira Alfassa’s Tomb
• An art gallery with 2500 works
• A Library
• Group meditations

If you’re interested in more, you can check out Auroville, the town named after him.

As the Ashram grew and more and more followers joined, they decided to found their own “experimental town.” Today it has more than 3000 residents in 84 square kilometers, and they turned the desert area into a thick jungle. There are lots of delicious cafes near there too.

Basilica Sacred Heart of Jesus Church

It’s right across the street from the train station, and looms over the area like a scary scene out of a Dracula movie.

The architecture is neo-Gothic and one of the finest examples throughout India.

It was built in 1902, and the first mass was held in 1907.

The stained glass is striking. One of the pieces has 28 saints and it’s beautiful to see the colors fall on the churchgoers as they pray.

• Hours: Monday through Saturday – Masses are at 5:30 AM, 12:30 PM, & 6 PM
• Sunday Masses are 5:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 12 PM, 5 PM
• There’s a Tamil mass on Sundays at 6:15 PM

Elephant Temple

It’s called the Manakula Vinayagar Temple, and it’s devoted to Ganesh… the Hindu god with the elephant head.

Some times the temple elephant comes to bless the devotees. [I hope the elephant is treated nicely!]

I liked the mural on the ceiling of the entrance. It’s got a little Last Supper-like composition with the upside-down-ceiling-presentation of the Sistine Chapel.

• Hours: 5:45 AM – 10 PM
• Dharshanams: 6 AM – 11 AM; 4:30 PM – 9 PM
• Afternoon pujas (Friday, Saturday, Sunday): 12 PM – 1 PM

Things To Do in Pondicherry When It’s Hot

Head to the Beach

Rock Beach is the main beach along the city, but you aren’t able to swim there and there isn’t any shade.

There are some beaches nearby that you can swim at though, and they would be a nice place to spend some time.

• Paradise Island Beach: It’s a short ferry ride from Pondicherry, but has the cleanest nicest beaches in the area.
• Serenity Beach: You can surf here and there’s some shade and people swim. Do read about the tides before proceeding.
• Karaikal Beach: It’s a quieter beach than the other two, but nice and you can swim here.
• Mahe Beach
• Quiet Beach
• Reppo Beach

Sampourna Amusement Park: Pogo Land

If you have kids, or just are a big kid, and you want to cool down, there is a water park in Pondicherry. Apparently it’s “India’s only Amusement Park” (although this reminds me of Dev Patel’s character in the Best Marigold Hotel movie selling his hotel, haha).

The Sampourna Amusement Park- Pogo Land has +40 rides like:

• Water slide
• Wave Pool
• Swimming pools

Cost: 400 RS for Adults. 300 RS for kids.

Shopping

You can check out some air-conditioned shops in Pondicherry:

• Providence Mall: Levis, Skechers, a cinema, McDonald’s, KFC, and more
• MA PONDY CHERIE: Clothing, souvenirs, books, gifts, lights, beauty products
• Casablanca: Department store. One of the most famous stores in Pondy.
• Indian Handcrafts
• Goubert Market
• Cluny Embroidery Center
• Muthu Silk Plaza
• Janaki: Saris and skirts made by fisherwomen
• La Boutique in Auroville
• Kalki: High-quality clothes, jewelry and fragrances
• Geethanjali: Known for good furniture and art by locals

Air-Conditioned Cafes

Go grab some espresso, a big chocolate croissant or your pastry of choice and waste the day away with a good book and cool A/C.

• Bon Bakes: Great coffee and Irish coffee cake.
• Mission Cafe
• Bakers Street
• PY Cafe
• Cafe Ole

Police Museum in Pondicherry

Hey, if you’re into a man in uniform, you can learn about the history of the police force in India and Pondicherry.

Four important words: They also have A/C.

Romain Rolland Library

If you love books like me, then you may want to check out the local library.

NOTE: The Reading Room has air-conditioning.

It’s named after Romain Rolland, a close friend of Mahatma Gandhi.

It has a museum. There are ~25,000 books. It has ~45,000 members. They loan almost 200,000 books each year.

There’s a substantial kids section, and local schools come often to book groups.

There are about 15,000 rare books. They also loan 8,000 books to nearby villages and deliver them by bus.

Hours: 9 AM – 12:30 PM; 4 PM – 7 PM

Places To Stay in Pondicherry: Pool + Air Conditioning

If you’re wanting a chill place to rest your head or lay out by the pool here are some options for good hotels with a pool + air conditioning.

There are 15 hotels in the Pondicherry area on Booking.com with a swimming pool and air conditioning. Here were some of my favorites.

• Hotel Atithi: Has a pool on the roof. +$70 USD a night for 2 people at this time.
• Villa Du Ocean: Has a pool on the roof too, but it’s a bit smaller than the Hotel Atithi. It is next to a beautiful church though. +$65 USD a night for 2 people at this time.
• The Promenade: The pool will make you feel like an Italian prince, it has a veranda and pillars surrounding it. +$105 a night for 2 people.
• Palais De Mahe – CGH Earth: Beautiful pool in a courtyard. +$200 a night for 2 people.
• K Resort: Pool is huge. +$75 a night for 2 people.
• La Villa: Pool’s nice, but it’s kinda skinny. +$145 a night for 2 people.

You can check the updated prices on Booking.com here.

Festivals and Events in Pondicherry in April

Indians love to celebrate! You can find some celebrations in Pondicherry in April:

• Good Friday: April 10-11
• Easter Festival: 3% of Pondicherry is Christian, so there is a celebration for Easter. The Immaculate Conception Church has a large crowd. At midnight, candles are lit and lights are shut off to honor when Jesus arose from the dead. The bakeries serve Easter eggs and hot cross buns.
• Tamil New Year: April 14. Families get together, prayers are held, and homes are decorated. Trays with fruits are placed out: jackfruit, banana, and mango. The trays also have expensive jewelry, areca nuts and betel leaves as a token and prayer for good fortune for the year.
• Akshaya Tritiya: A festival where people buy gold and pray to have good luck with material possessions and finances.

Related Questions:

What is the Best Time To Visit Pondicherry?

• I recommend visiting in January.
• Most people visit between October and February
• February and March are also good.
• October and November are the heaviest monsoon months.
• May and June are the hottest months in Pondicherry

What is the Best Time to Visit Auroville?

• I recommend visiting January.
• Most people visit between October and February
• February and March are also good.
• October and November are the heaviest monsoon months.
• May and June are the hottest months in Pondicherry

Check when they have workshops that you may like. I was there in August and they had workshops about building with bamboo and sustainable gardening.