Pondicherry-Harmonious Blend of the East & the West
Spiritual, Meditation
Founded in 1926, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram has grown, under the Mother's guidance, from a small group of two dozen disciples into a large and diverse community of almost 1600 members. Counting the 400 students of the Centre of Education and the hundreds of devotees who live nearby, the larger ashram community consists of more than 2000 people.
The Ashram is located in the eastern part of Pondicherry. Inmates live and work in some buildings spread throughout the area. The focus of community life is the Ashram's main building, usually called simply "the Ashram", which consists of an interconnected block of houses, including those in which Sri Aurobindo and the Mother lived for most of their lives. At its center, in a tree-shaded courtyard, lies the Samadhi, a white marble shrine where their bodies are laid to rest.
46 locals recommend
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
No. 9 Marine StreetFounded in 1926, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram has grown, under the Mother's guidance, from a small group of two dozen disciples into a large and diverse community of almost 1600 members. Counting the 400 students of the Centre of Education and the hundreds of devotees who live nearby, the larger ashram community consists of more than 2000 people.
The Ashram is located in the eastern part of Pondicherry. Inmates live and work in some buildings spread throughout the area. The focus of community life is the Ashram's main building, usually called simply "the Ashram", which consists of an interconnected block of houses, including those in which Sri Aurobindo and the Mother lived for most of their lives. At its center, in a tree-shaded courtyard, lies the Samadhi, a white marble shrine where their bodies are laid to rest.
The Matrimandir is an edifice of spiritual significance for practitioners of Integral yoga, in the centre of Auroville established by The Mother of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It is called soul of the city and is situated in a large open space called Peace. Matrimandir does not belong to any particular religion or sect. Visitors and guests should bear in mind that the Matrimandir is not a ‘tourist’ site; it is a place for individual silent concentration. A place which should be visited in a quiet physical and mental state.
Visitors and guests should bear in mind that the Matrimandir is not a ‘tourist’ site; it is a place for individual silent concentration. A place which should be visited in a quiet physical and mental state.
42 locals recommend
Matrimandir
Auroville RoadThe Matrimandir is an edifice of spiritual significance for practitioners of Integral yoga, in the centre of Auroville established by The Mother of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It is called soul of the city and is situated in a large open space called Peace. Matrimandir does not belong to any particular religion or sect. Visitors and guests should bear in mind that the Matrimandir is not a ‘tourist’ site; it is a place for individual silent concentration. A place which should be visited in a quiet physical and mental state.
Visitors and guests should bear in mind that the Matrimandir is not a ‘tourist’ site; it is a place for individual silent concentration. A place which should be visited in a quiet physical and mental state.
Exhibition
This is the Ashram information centre for visitors. It provides visitors with the following services:
It hosts a permanent exhibition introducing the life and yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother through their writings. It also offers a glimpse into the Ashram and its activities.
It conducts video programmes every day in the morning (except Sundays) and in the afternoon on Tuesdays and Fridays to help visitors understand Sri Aurobindo, the Mother, their work and the Ashram.
It has a large map of Pondicherry with relevant places marked on it.
It guides visitors in finding accommodation in the Ashram guest houses.
It provides information regarding the Ashram and its activities.
Bureau Central - Sri Aurobindo Ashram Information Centre
3 Ranga Pillai StreetThis is the Ashram information centre for visitors. It provides visitors with the following services:
It hosts a permanent exhibition introducing the life and yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother through their writings. It also offers a glimpse into the Ashram and its activities.
It conducts video programmes every day in the morning (except Sundays) and in the afternoon on Tuesdays and Fridays to help visitors understand Sri Aurobindo, the Mother, their work and the Ashram.
It has a large map of Pondicherry with relevant places marked on it.
It guides visitors in finding accommodation in the Ashram guest houses.
It provides information regarding the Ashram and its activities.
The Auroville Visitors Centre is a place where day visitors and guests can begin to discover and learn about Auroville, its ideals, history and present-day manifestation, housed in a complex of buildings that include exhibitions, information and guest reception, boutiques for Auroville products and handicrafts, a bookshop, cafes and a food court
13 locals recommend
Visitor's Centre
Auroville RoadThe Auroville Visitors Centre is a place where day visitors and guests can begin to discover and learn about Auroville, its ideals, history and present-day manifestation, housed in a complex of buildings that include exhibitions, information and guest reception, boutiques for Auroville products and handicrafts, a bookshop, cafes and a food court
Shopping
‘Senteurs’, in French, signifies ‘Fragrance’. This name was given by The Mother to the perfumery department of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, which started in 1958. Udar Pinto and Kusum worked for it. Kusum dedicated herself to this new venture, which demanded patience, hard work, knowledge and a nose to create. With Mother’s grace and guidance the department grew in time and today it is one of the most visited and appreciated boutiques in Pondicherry. Apart from the various products manufactured at Senteurs: perfumes, eau de colognes, compounds, Aloe vera products, pro-health blends, rose water etc., the boutique has a large section dedicated to essential oils for Aromatherapy.
Laboratoires Senteurs
7 St Gilles St‘Senteurs’, in French, signifies ‘Fragrance’. This name was given by The Mother to the perfumery department of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, which started in 1958. Udar Pinto and Kusum worked for it. Kusum dedicated herself to this new venture, which demanded patience, hard work, knowledge and a nose to create. With Mother’s grace and guidance the department grew in time and today it is one of the most visited and appreciated boutiques in Pondicherry. Apart from the various products manufactured at Senteurs: perfumes, eau de colognes, compounds, Aloe vera products, pro-health blends, rose water etc., the boutique has a large section dedicated to essential oils for Aromatherapy.
Cottage Industries was started in 1949, under the guidance of The Mother, to provide Sri Aurobindo Ashram with incense sticks and mats, the surplus being distributed amongst devotees. In time, demand for incense arose from devotees abroad and the first export was made in 1973.
As the name suggests, they try and maintain a natural ambience and simple style of working, avoiding as far as possible an industrialised approach to manufacturing. They utilise recycled materials and integrate nature-friendly methods where possible.
The product line has expanded to include perfumed incense sticks, perfumed and decorated candles, a line of soaps and body-care products and some ceramic, terracotta and wood artefacts, avoiding as far as possible an industrialised approach to manufacturing. They utilise recycled materials and integrate nature-friendly methods where possible.
The product line has expanded to include perfumed incense sticks, perfumed and decorated candles, a line of soaps and body-care products, and some ceramic, terracotta, and wood artefacts.
Cottage Industries
3 Ranga Pillai StCottage Industries was started in 1949, under the guidance of The Mother, to provide Sri Aurobindo Ashram with incense sticks and mats, the surplus being distributed amongst devotees. In time, demand for incense arose from devotees abroad and the first export was made in 1973.
As the name suggests, they try and maintain a natural ambience and simple style of working, avoiding as far as possible an industrialised approach to manufacturing. They utilise recycled materials and integrate nature-friendly methods where possible.
The product line has expanded to include perfumed incense sticks, perfumed and decorated candles, a line of soaps and body-care products and some ceramic, terracotta and wood artefacts, avoiding as far as possible an industrialised approach to manufacturing. They utilise recycled materials and integrate nature-friendly methods where possible.
The product line has expanded to include perfumed incense sticks, perfumed and decorated candles, a line of soaps and body-care products, and some ceramic, terracotta, and wood artefacts.
In the mid-1940s sadhaks of Sri Aurobindo Ashram prepared a handmade paper on a very small scale from waste material as creative and useful work. In 1959 larger-scale papermaking equipment was installed in a coconut garden – including a beater, lifting vats, and a calendaring machine. The coconut garden is the location of the factory today, in the heart of Pondicherry.
Sri Aurobindo Handmade Paper
50 Sardar Vallabhai Patel SalaiIn the mid-1940s sadhaks of Sri Aurobindo Ashram prepared a handmade paper on a very small scale from waste material as creative and useful work. In 1959 larger-scale papermaking equipment was installed in a coconut garden – including a beater, lifting vats, and a calendaring machine. The coconut garden is the location of the factory today, in the heart of Pondicherry.
Navavihan is a unit of Mother's Centenary Memorial Trust, Sri Aurobindo Ashram located in Puducherry.Started in 1983 with a small group of 4 we have grown into a larger team where each one is encouraged to contribute their creativity.
With that growth has come a twofold purpose:
A centre of creativity designing handcrafted items where the raw materials are mainly Handmade Paper, wood-free pulp, and some natural materials like flowers, seeds, leaves and wood, thus expressing a love for nature and appreciation of its beauty.
And a centre that produces innovative educational craft kits, games, books and videos for children of all ages to help them develop various faculties and become sensitive to deeper values
NavaVihan
23 Campagnie StreetNavavihan is a unit of Mother's Centenary Memorial Trust, Sri Aurobindo Ashram located in Puducherry.Started in 1983 with a small group of 4 we have grown into a larger team where each one is encouraged to contribute their creativity.
With that growth has come a twofold purpose:
A centre of creativity designing handcrafted items where the raw materials are mainly Handmade Paper, wood-free pulp, and some natural materials like flowers, seeds, leaves and wood, thus expressing a love for nature and appreciation of its beauty.
And a centre that produces innovative educational craft kits, games, books and videos for children of all ages to help them develop various faculties and become sensitive to deeper values
Aura was redesigned by French architect-interior designer duo Sabrina Drean-Cantereau and Thierry Cantereau. and launched on August 15th, 2017 as an initiative of the AuroService Trust, to connect people with a mindful shopping experience. The mission is to serve as a connection to Integral Yoga through beauty and with products and services with a deeper approach.
AURA Store
16 Goubert AveAura was redesigned by French architect-interior designer duo Sabrina Drean-Cantereau and Thierry Cantereau. and launched on August 15th, 2017 as an initiative of the AuroService Trust, to connect people with a mindful shopping experience. The mission is to serve as a connection to Integral Yoga through beauty and with products and services with a deeper approach.
Casablanca offers Pondy dwellers and visitors alike an international shopping experience. All the top brands are sold here.
17 locals recommend
Casablanca
165 Mission StCasablanca offers Pondy dwellers and visitors alike an international shopping experience. All the top brands are sold here.
Dilip Kapur began Hidesign in 1978 as a hobby. With a PhD in international affairs, no design background, the brand and the products were an expression of his belief in natural, sustainable materials and clean simple designs.
With their handcrafted look and unorthodox designs, the bags were radically different from anything available in Europe and the USA at the time. Hidesign was quickly adopted by alternative fashion stores in London, San Francisco and Melbourne. Now widely accepted in over 25 countries as a leader in the development of sustainable and innovative leather fashion.
HiDesign Factory Outlet
Dilip Kapur began Hidesign in 1978 as a hobby. With a PhD in international affairs, no design background, the brand and the products were an expression of his belief in natural, sustainable materials and clean simple designs.
With their handcrafted look and unorthodox designs, the bags were radically different from anything available in Europe and the USA at the time. Hidesign was quickly adopted by alternative fashion stores in London, San Francisco and Melbourne. Now widely accepted in over 25 countries as a leader in the development of sustainable and innovative leather fashion.
Sightseeing
Auroville is a universal township in the making for a population of up to 50,000 people from around the world. The concept of Auroville - an ideal township devoted to an experiment in human unity - came to the Mother as early as the 1930s. In the mid-1960s, the concept was developed and put before the Govt. of India, who gave their backing and took it to the General Assembly of UNESCO. In 1966 UNESCO passed a unanimous resolution commending it as a project of importance to the future of humanity, thereby giving their full encouragement.
The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity – in diversity. Today Auroville is recognised as the first and only internationally endorsed ongoing experiment in human unity and transformation of consciousness, also concerned with - and practically researching into - sustainable living and the future cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs of mankind.
61 locals recommend
Auroville
Auroville is a universal township in the making for a population of up to 50,000 people from around the world. The concept of Auroville - an ideal township devoted to an experiment in human unity - came to the Mother as early as the 1930s. In the mid-1960s, the concept was developed and put before the Govt. of India, who gave their backing and took it to the General Assembly of UNESCO. In 1966 UNESCO passed a unanimous resolution commending it as a project of importance to the future of humanity, thereby giving their full encouragement.
The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity – in diversity. Today Auroville is recognised as the first and only internationally endorsed ongoing experiment in human unity and transformation of consciousness, also concerned with - and practically researching into - sustainable living and the future cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs of mankind.
The Statue of Mahatma Gandhi is located on the beachfront of Pondicherry. Built by the famous sculptor Roy Choudhary from Madras School of Art and Crafts, it is one of the major landmarks in Pondicherry. It is surrounded by eight exquisitely carved monolithic granite pillars which were brought from Gingee Fort.
The statue stands 4 m (13 feet) high and is the 3rd biggest Mahatma Gandhi statue. It was inaugurated on January 26, 1965. The square in front of the statue referred to as Gandhi Thidal, plays host to various cultural and musical activities throughout the year.
Mahatma Gandhi Statue
Beach RoadThe Statue of Mahatma Gandhi is located on the beachfront of Pondicherry. Built by the famous sculptor Roy Choudhary from Madras School of Art and Crafts, it is one of the major landmarks in Pondicherry. It is surrounded by eight exquisitely carved monolithic granite pillars which were brought from Gingee Fort.
The statue stands 4 m (13 feet) high and is the 3rd biggest Mahatma Gandhi statue. It was inaugurated on January 26, 1965. The square in front of the statue referred to as Gandhi Thidal, plays host to various cultural and musical activities throughout the year.
The statue of the French governor, Joseph Francois Dupleix, has more than 150 years of history. The French recognized Dupleix's work in 1870, and his two statues were commissioned the same year. One was established in France, and the other was sent to India in Puducherry.
The Statue of Dupleix is a 2.88-meter tall statue standing on a granite column. The long statue is a significant landmark of the city and a recommended tourist spot. The children's park nearby adds to the statue's beauty.
Marquis Dupleix Statue
Beach RoadThe statue of the French governor, Joseph Francois Dupleix, has more than 150 years of history. The French recognized Dupleix's work in 1870, and his two statues were commissioned the same year. One was established in France, and the other was sent to India in Puducherry.
The Statue of Dupleix is a 2.88-meter tall statue standing on a granite column. The long statue is a significant landmark of the city and a recommended tourist spot. The children's park nearby adds to the statue's beauty.
The Pondicherry Museum is an art and history museum located in Pondicherry, India. It is especially noted for its collection of fine lost wax bronzes from the period of the Chola Empire.
The Museum's collection includes 81 Chola bronze sculptures, ranking as one of the largest collections of Chola bronzes.
Artefacts from the archaeological dig at Arikamedu, a Yavana (Greek) trading port that existed just north of modern Pondicherry in the late first century BCE to the first and second centuries CE.
21 locals recommend
Pondicherry Museum
Canteen StreetThe Pondicherry Museum is an art and history museum located in Pondicherry, India. It is especially noted for its collection of fine lost wax bronzes from the period of the Chola Empire.
The Museum's collection includes 81 Chola bronze sculptures, ranking as one of the largest collections of Chola bronzes.
Artefacts from the archaeological dig at Arikamedu, a Yavana (Greek) trading port that existed just north of modern Pondicherry in the late first century BCE to the first and second centuries CE.
Musical Experience
Initiated in 2003 as a grassroots community, rural development project in Tamil Nadu, SVARAM has been recognised by the UN Initiative “Music as a Global Resource” as one of its first 50 projects worldwide. The open association and team of over 50 local artisans, trainees, international volunteers and professionals has always retained its emphasis on the human element, its heritage and prospect of evolutionary change and positive progress.
Each of the interactive installations represents a unique source of sound, musical expression and sculptural configuration that enhances, defines and creates the character for the selected space and projected area of the institution.
SVARAM - Musical Instruments and Research
Initiated in 2003 as a grassroots community, rural development project in Tamil Nadu, SVARAM has been recognised by the UN Initiative “Music as a Global Resource” as one of its first 50 projects worldwide. The open association and team of over 50 local artisans, trainees, international volunteers and professionals has always retained its emphasis on the human element, its heritage and prospect of evolutionary change and positive progress.
Each of the interactive installations represents a unique source of sound, musical expression and sculptural configuration that enhances, defines and creates the character for the selected space and projected area of the institution.
Permaculture, Natural Farming
Solitude Farm was started in 1996 by a group of young Aurovillians. One of them, Krishna McKenzie, inspired by Masanobu Fukuoka developed the farm with the ideas of Natural farming and permaculture.
6 locals recommend
Solitude Farm of Auroville
Solitude Farm was started in 1996 by a group of young Aurovillians. One of them, Krishna McKenzie, inspired by Masanobu Fukuoka developed the farm with the ideas of Natural farming and permaculture.
War Memorial
The Kargil War Memorial was built by the Indian Army in remembrance of soldiers who fought the dreaded and unforgettable war of Kargil. It is located opposite the Chief Secretariat Office, at the northern end of the main Puducherry Beach. The main memorial has an inscription on a marble plate that says “Government of India War Memorial” with a rifle and a soldier’s cap over it. There is an array of stone pillars of variable lengths that surround the memorial
War Memorial
Goubert AvenueThe Kargil War Memorial was built by the Indian Army in remembrance of soldiers who fought the dreaded and unforgettable war of Kargil. It is located opposite the Chief Secretariat Office, at the northern end of the main Puducherry Beach. The main memorial has an inscription on a marble plate that says “Government of India War Memorial” with a rifle and a soldier’s cap over it. There is an array of stone pillars of variable lengths that surround the memorial
The French memorial is dedicated to the war heroes of World War I who sacrificed their lives to save the country. Reconstructed in 1970, it is one of the most pristine places to visit in Puducherry. Surrounded by plush green escapades and some splendid gardens, the war memorial serves as a reminder of the freedom we enjoy today.
It was originally built in 1937 and inaugurated on 3rd April 1938 by the Governor of Crocicchia. It is also known as the ”Monument aux combattants des Indes françaises morts pour la patrie” in French. Incidentally, Puducherry still has a heavy French influence visible in its vintage buildings and the colour scheme used across the UT.
War Memorial
Goubert AvenueThe French memorial is dedicated to the war heroes of World War I who sacrificed their lives to save the country. Reconstructed in 1970, it is one of the most pristine places to visit in Puducherry. Surrounded by plush green escapades and some splendid gardens, the war memorial serves as a reminder of the freedom we enjoy today.
It was originally built in 1937 and inaugurated on 3rd April 1938 by the Governor of Crocicchia. It is also known as the ”Monument aux combattants des Indes françaises morts pour la patrie” in French. Incidentally, Puducherry still has a heavy French influence visible in its vintage buildings and the colour scheme used across the UT.