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THE ASHRAM PRESENCE
The ashram culture is all pervading in Pondicherry, within homes and
shops and all over. Largely, through the everywhereness of two charismatic
portraits. One of Sri Aurobindo sometimes pictured as an earnest young man
and more often as a serene sage. The other, of his spiritual companion is
the Mother - sometimes a smiling young woman, and sometimes a
distinguished octogenarian. Moreover, yoga masters and yoga enthusiasts
from across the globe descend onto Pondicherry for the international Yoga
Festival, held here every year from 4th through 7th January.
SRI
AUROBINDO ASHRAM
Sri Aurobindo began the practice of yoga in 1905 and 5 years later moved
to Pondy from Bengal. And during his 40 years here, he worked out a new
system of mind development, which he called "Integral Yoga".
Madame Mirra Richard, a French painter-sculptor who had followed the same
path on her own, joined him later. She is now known as the Mother.
Together, in 1926, they founded an ashram where his belief - "All
life is Yoga" - could be put into practice.
The Ashram's buildings are painted no-nonsense pearl grey with white trim.
Most are of French inspiration. Some are exceptionally handsome.
A Place Of Solace
At nighttime, Pondicherrians who believe in Sri Aurobindo's way of life,
wind their way ashramward. Inside, the lights throw a welcome radiance.
Tranquility prevails and over it all, the flower-decked 'samadhi'
presides. Men and women meditate with their eyes fixed on the marble
samadhi. Here silence is peach, and flowers and incense are ways to lead
the mind away from workaday shackles.
But during daytime, the ashram bustles with silent queues to see
Aurobindo's room for meditation or blessings. In fact, the ashram has now
become a mini-township. With a sprawling estate of 120 buildings, actively
involved in education and industry. It even provides guest house
accommodation within the premises.
Some Ashram facilities are not open to visitors. These include the Sri
Aurobindo International Center For Education (with its four buildings from
pre-school to secondary level), the Playground, the Tennis Ground and the
residential apartments including the architecturally interesting Golconde.
Aurobindo Ashram Facilities:
The Library and the Main Building during collective meditation are
accessible to those who have a gate pass obtained from the Bureau Central
and those who are staying in the Ashram's guesthouses. Just inside the
Library's gate is an old statue of Shiva.
There are also production and related sales departments that are open to
the public both in the Ashram and French quarters. Many of them may be
visited by bus tour or individually during their working hours.