Bahour is a town, Commune, Taluk and Assembly Constituency in the Union Territory of Puducherry, India. It consists of four non-contiguous areas, including three of the nine true enclaves of Puducherry. It is home to the second largest and perhaps the oldest irrigation lake in the region- the Bahour Eri. The lake has been in existence since the Chola period. Bahour also has reports of lignite deposits but it is not exploited due to its close proximity to the sea and the likelihood of seeping seawater, adulterating the ground water. It is a major access point for villages south of Puducherry and forms the southern border to the Union territory. The city is also known as the ‘rice bowl of Puducherry’ since the area is suitable for Paddy (rice) cultivation.