Puducherry in Feb,2012

Hi!Everybody......
I am going to Puducherry on Feb,2011 for 2-3 days from Kolkata.Please suggest me the best way to reach there economically and comfortably but not by air.
Please suggest me good place to stay and sight seeing places in those 2 days.
What are the descent options for eateries?
Are the autorickshaws best means of cheaper transport for moving around the city??

There is a weekly direct train from Howrah to Pondicherry.

Take a train to Chennai and then a bus to Pondicherry.

There are quite a few staying options mentioned here

I have stayed at Seaside Guest House. It is run by the Arobindo Ashram and very clean and food is good as well. But no alcohol is permitted inside the guesthouse! check my travelogue for what to see http://www.greatholidayideas.net/her...ndicherry.html

For sightseeing I suggest the guided city tour arranged by the tourist board (only drawback is food/lunch is crap).

Autos usually try and charge a minimum of Rs40.

there is a hotel jus near paradise beach.. i cant recall the name.. it was quite good... google for the info.. ul get al u need..

I have checked the useful links you all have mentioned.They were of great help.Actually I knew of the train directly from Kolkata but the problem was that it leaves Kolkata on Sundays.It would have been better if it had started on a Friday/Saturday.Are the Auroville guest houses good option?? What may be their cost?If I don't stay there what is the next best option??

The cyclone has taken a heavy toll of the coastal areas of Tamilnadu.Puduchry have not been spared.
I would request my friends to please update on the condition of Puduchery if it would be safe for visiting during April,2012.

Hi

i too was thinking of visiting pondicherry, balaji and thiruvannmalai. Can some one from pondicheryy plz update on the conditions there after the cyclone. Is it advisable to visit in te next 2 weeks ?

Hi Friends,

After seeing the thread I felt the urgency to update on the ground situtation in Pondicherry.

As you all know the deadly cyclone "Thane" devastated Pondicherry and Cuddalore on 30th Dec 2011 to its fullest and it is rated as one of the worst cyclone that Pondicherry has experienced in the past 30 years. It was all over within 24 hrs with heavy damage to property, places of interest,flora & fauna, infrastructure and last but not the least it claimed 10 human lifes.

Thanks to Government machinery and the local people, the city has restored to its normalcy. Thousand of trees that were uprooted blocked the road traffic and within 24 hrs the same was cleared and eased road traffic for thousands of stranded tourists to move back.

Right now the sad story is that Pondicherry has lost its old charm but as a localite i am sure the peaceful pondicherry will attract tourists and visitors in the coming days.

In the Tourism perspective the Chunnambar backwater resort is the worst affected and it will take time to resume boating operations otherwise hotels and other attractions are back to normalcy.

Life is normal in Pondicherry and u can start visiting us to bring back the charm of Pondicherry.

Bienvenue.....Welcome to Pondicherry.

Hello,

I guess you had an wonderfull journey.

Would request if you can share us your travel report as i was planning a trip to Puducherry this november.

Thanks and Regards