I left the city of pondicherry with a promise to return soon...
Puducherry is a union territory which is geographically located in Tamil Nadu, India. A scenic three hours drive from Chennai brings you to this coastal town bordered by tranquil beaches, provides impressions of a French Colony and houses the Auroville. Not only is it a depository of healing and meditation centers it houses eating places which serves the finest European food, you can dream of finding in India.
If you plan to visit Puducherry which you must, the following should be a part of your itinerary
Mamallapuram
Its about an hour's drive from Chennai, it comes in your route when you are driving towards Puducherry from Chennai. This place flourished under the Pallavas rule who developed it as a sea-port. Its rock-cut architecture is a marvel and places of interests are all close by providing you strong culture shots in the little time that you spend there.
Its about an hour's drive from Chennai, it comes in your route when you are driving towards Puducherry from Chennai. This place flourished under the Pallavas rule who developed it as a sea-port. Its rock-cut architecture is a marvel and places of interests are all close by providing you strong culture shots in the little time that you spend there.
AUROVILLE
What is Auroville...sounds famaliar...but not so sure you know about It
Auroville is located 8 km north of Puducherry, the present community consists of more than 100 settlements spread over 20 square kilometers. The 1900 residents are from some 40 nations. The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity. Beautiful isn't it?
The divine souls behind Auroville
Sri Aurobindo Ghosh
Born in Kolkata in 1872, he was sent to England at the age of 7, he graduated from Cambridge University and returned back to India at the age of 20. In India, he studied the vedic culture and involved himself in political work aimed at India's liberation from the British. In 1908, he was sent to jail, there he read The Bhagavad Gita and The Upanishads, he did intense meditation. In 1910, he arrived in Pondicherry, withdrew from active politics and began to explore a new path of yoga which he called, 'internal yoga'. In 1926, he withdrew to his room to devote himself to bringing down a higher consciousness and left the reins of the ashram with The Mother.
Born in Kolkata in 1872, he was sent to England at the age of 7, he graduated from Cambridge University and returned back to India at the age of 20. In India, he studied the vedic culture and involved himself in political work aimed at India's liberation from the British. In 1908, he was sent to jail, there he read The Bhagavad Gita and The Upanishads, he did intense meditation. In 1910, he arrived in Pondicherry, withdrew from active politics and began to explore a new path of yoga which he called, 'internal yoga'. In 1926, he withdrew to his room to devote himself to bringing down a higher consciousness and left the reins of the ashram with The Mother.
The Mother
Mirra Alfassa was born on 21st Feb, 1878 in Paris. At the age of 5 she had her first spiritual experience. In 1914, she met Sri aurobindo in Pondicherry and decided to work with him to persue her spiritual dream. She became his spiritual collabarator and was the master mind behind the concept of 'Auroville'.
Mirra Alfassa was born on 21st Feb, 1878 in Paris. At the age of 5 she had her first spiritual experience. In 1914, she met Sri aurobindo in Pondicherry and decided to work with him to persue her spiritual dream. She became his spiritual collabarator and was the master mind behind the concept of 'Auroville'.
The Concept Of Human Unity
Sri Aurobindo defines human unity as a secret spirit, a divine reality in which all beings are one. It is not to be misunderstood by global trade, advancement in technological communication etc. Its a unique feeling that comes from within. Auroville aspires to be something that has not existed before, its a patch of land where people have come together to achieve their widest and highest dreams.
Sri Aurobindo defines human unity as a secret spirit, a divine reality in which all beings are one. It is not to be misunderstood by global trade, advancement in technological communication etc. Its a unique feeling that comes from within. Auroville aspires to be something that has not existed before, its a patch of land where people have come together to achieve their widest and highest dreams.
Matrimnadir
The Mother describes it as the soul of Auroville. For many Aurovilians it is a sense of stability at the centre of a storm. Life in Auroville is challenging, lack of traditional support systems make life unorganised. It is by going within, by finding another deeper and higher source of knowledge that enables its inhabitants to surrive.
The Mother describes it as the soul of Auroville. For many Aurovilians it is a sense of stability at the centre of a storm. Life in Auroville is challenging, lack of traditional support systems make life unorganised. It is by going within, by finding another deeper and higher source of knowledge that enables its inhabitants to surrive.
What you must keep in mind when you plan a visit to Auroville?
Firstly, you can't do a day visit to Auroville if you are a first time visitor. There should be a sincere intent and committment in you to see a place which is so deeply spiritually rooted. Its not like vising any other tourist site. To keep that in control, The Matrimandir can be visited only with a pass within a stipulated time. The pass is issued a day or two before your visit. You have to follow strict timing for issuance of the pass and the timing of your visit.
Firstly, you can't do a day visit to Auroville if you are a first time visitor. There should be a sincere intent and committment in you to see a place which is so deeply spiritually rooted. Its not like vising any other tourist site. To keep that in control, The Matrimandir can be visited only with a pass within a stipulated time. The pass is issued a day or two before your visit. You have to follow strict timing for issuance of the pass and the timing of your visit.
Auroville attracts you like a magnet
I would like to stay at Auroville for an extended period to experience its virtues of simple self- sustainable living with a hetrogenous group. Once, you have visited the Matrimandir you do not need a pass for your next visit. You can book a slot through a phone call or on the website. I want to take advantage of that and feel at home there unlike my first visit which was like the first flight of a newly hatched bird. I expericed peace and joy there like never before and promise to go back again.
The French Part of Puducherry
This part of Puducherry is definitely cleaner than the other parts of the city whether it looks French or not it is highly controversial. Sri Aurobindo Ashram located here is a must visit, While it is possible to enter the main Ashram buiding freely during visiting hours, some sections of the Ashram require that you obtain a pass from the Bureau Central. There is also a guest house at the Ashram which needs advance booking. The bookshop at the Ashram is stimulating instead of intimidating, it made me richer by four books.
Healing and Meditation Centers
Quite Healing Center
This is Auroville's health spa and welness center which uses natural healing techniques to rejuvenate you. Its strength increases by heaps and bounds due to its serene location. The expanse of the sea and sky renders your mind the freedom to fly and the therapies here recharge you to find inner joy. Here is the link to the various therapies offered by them quiethealingcenter.info/index.php/therapies
I took Aquatic Body Work and Sound Healing and can go back again for the same.
This is Auroville's health spa and welness center which uses natural healing techniques to rejuvenate you. Its strength increases by heaps and bounds due to its serene location. The expanse of the sea and sky renders your mind the freedom to fly and the therapies here recharge you to find inner joy. Here is the link to the various therapies offered by them quiethealingcenter.info/index.php/therapies
I took Aquatic Body Work and Sound Healing and can go back again for the same.
Verite- A center for integral learning, living and yoga
Located in the heart of Auroville this place is your solution for a high life condition. Check the weekly schedule for events, workshops and classes on yoga and meditation. Check their website for details www.verite.in/
Located in the heart of Auroville this place is your solution for a high life condition. Check the weekly schedule for events, workshops and classes on yoga and meditation. Check their website for details www.verite.in/
Beaches
Puducherry has beautiful beaches which are not comercially exploited which means there are no shacks offering food and drinks, nor are there any deck chairs or restaurants around. You just have sand and water for company. Some of the beaches are great for surfing and my kids were more than happy to go for a lesson at the surfing school.
Kallialay Surf School located near the Serenity Beach was very professional in its service. My kids went for the group lesson which ended up being exclusive for them as there were no other participants in the beginner's batch. Check their website for more information www.surfschoolindia.com/
Kallialay Surf School located near the Serenity Beach was very professional in its service. My kids went for the group lesson which ended up being exclusive for them as there were no other participants in the beginner's batch. Check their website for more information www.surfschoolindia.com/
Paradise Beach
This beach is an island beach, it takes about half an hour in the ferry to reach it. The ferry service is available from Chudambaram Boat House. The beach was as empty as a bald man's head, it was crying for some life, music and food. There was a single restaurant there that served dishes that you could count on your one hand's fingers. No alcohol is served not even beer.
This beach is an island beach, it takes about half an hour in the ferry to reach it. The ferry service is available from Chudambaram Boat House. The beach was as empty as a bald man's head, it was crying for some life, music and food. There was a single restaurant there that served dishes that you could count on your one hand's fingers. No alcohol is served not even beer.
Diving
Temple Adventures
They are situated very close to Sri Aurobindo Ashram, they are a PADI authorised center which also happens to be the only one in East India. The instructors and trainers went out of the way to make us feel comfortable and I highly recommend them.
Check their website for more information www.templeadventures.com/
They are situated very close to Sri Aurobindo Ashram, they are a PADI authorised center which also happens to be the only one in East India. The instructors and trainers went out of the way to make us feel comfortable and I highly recommend them.
Check their website for more information www.templeadventures.com/