If you want to have to have the INNER PEACE, and if you are planning a visit South India, then Puducherry, Sri Aurobindo Ashram will be the most important stop in your journey.
For most of the people around the world, the name Pondicherry (aka Puducherry), directly reflects on Yann Martel's "Life of Pi" novel. But one of the most important place in Puducherry, which is the major source of foreign attraction is Sri Aurobindo Ashram.
Where is Sri Aurobindo Ashram?
Country: India
State(Union Territory): Puducherry
Which Part of India?: Southern India
Reference, map is provided below, to locate Puducherry (Pondicherry) in India.It requires a 2 to 3 hours drive down south from Chennai. (150 Kms South of Chennai)
How to reach Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry?
Airways:
[Step 1] Anywhere in the world to Chennai "Anna International Airport".
[Step 2] From Airport you could either take a taxi and traveler down south to Puducherry, or can get a bus If If you have decided to travel in bus, you have 2 wonderful options becayseevery 15 mins you could get a bus from Chennai to Puducherry.
Option 1:Prefer ECR ( East Cost Road) bus, which makes you journey still more enjoyable, as you can have a beautiful sea view throughout the 3 hours travel.
i) So to get a ECR bus, you can go to Guindy, where you get buses often. Click here to see the buses which goes from Airport to Guindy. Google Map
ii) Another way to ge an ECR bus is to start from the main Chennai Bus stand, Koyambedu.For that you need to travel to Koyembedu Bus stand from airport. Click here to see the buses passe from Airport to Koyambedu.Google Map
Option 2: If you prefer to reach Puducherry, very quick rather than enjoying the sea view, you can chose byepass route. Sometimes Puucherry bye-pass buses will stop near the airport, but prefer going to Tambaram and from there you can get many buses as the frequency is very high. Click here to the see the buses from Airport to Tambaram.
[Step 3] If you chose to take a taxi, then you could directly come to Ashram. All the cab drivers will know this place. But this might cost you more bucks(+ 3000 - 4000 Rs). Rather, if you chose bus, you could end up in spending just 107 Rs. So if you are going in bus, you can get down at Puducherry bus stand. From Puducherry bus stand, you can chose Share Auto (Tempo) - {CHEAPER}, Buses (to GH), or Auto (they might ask from 80 to 100). It is around 3 Kms ( 2.7 KMs). Click here to see the Google Map.
Railways: Once you get down at Central Railway station, you need to travel less than 100 meter to Park Town local station ( cross the signal). From there you could get a ticket for Kasturibai Nagar stop ( 7/8 Rs) and take the local train which travels south. Get Down at Kasturibai Nagar stop and that place is called as "Madhya Kailash".
You could get ECR Puducherry buss for every 10 to 15 minutes. Fare will be around Rs. 95
Railways: Once you get down at Central Railway station, you need to travel less than 100 meter to Park Town local station ( cross the signal). From there you could get a ticket for Kasturibai Nagar stop ( 7/8 Rs) and take the local train which travels south. Get Down at Kasturibai Nagar stop and that place is called as "Madhya Kailash".
You could get ECR Puducherry buss for every 10 to 15 minutes. Fare will be around Rs. 95
PUDUCHERRY BUS STAND <-> AUROBINDO ASHRAM MAP
Sri Aurobindo Ashram Visiting Hours:
What activities of the Ashram can I participate in?(information Source)
Phone: +91-413-2233604
What activities of the Ashram can I participate in?(information Source)
- Visit to the Samadhi
You can go to the samadhi for pranam and meditation any time during the day. The Ashram gate opens at 4.30 in the morning and closes at 11.00 at night. There is also a meditation hall inside the main Ashram building where you can sit.
- Collective Meditations
On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday there is a collective meditation around the samadhi from 7.25 pm to 7.50 pm. This is open to everyone. No pass is required. On Thursdays and Sundays, a collective meditation is held in the Ashram Playground between 7.45 pm and 8.15 pm. This is open only to the Ashramites and the visitors staying in the Ashram guest houses who have been given Playground passes. These must be shown at the gate.
- Exhibition and Video programmes at Bureau Central
The exhibition is an introduction to the life and yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother through their own writings. It also offers a glimpse into the Ashram and its activities.
Everyday, except Sundays, there is a video presentation on one of several topics. The video programmes present the life and work of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, the Ashram, flowers and their significances, etc.
- Conducted Tours
Autocare Services operates two tours every week day: at 8.15 am, to see Ashram and Ashram-related departments and at 2.00 pm, to visit Auroville (Matrimandir). The Auroville trip does not wait for the meditation (5.00 pm to 6.00 pm) at the Matrimandir, since first-time visitors are not allowed.
Phone: +91-413-2233604
