Visit to Pondicherry and Auroville

Pondicherry (Puducherry)

When my wife and I thought of organizing a family get together trip to Pondicherry, wasn’t sure how pleasant it would be, but at the end, turned out to be a memorable one. The plan was to organize a one day trip to Pondicherry which includes visit to Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville and Mudaliarkuppam.

Family @ Auroville

On Sep 18, 2010, we hired an 8 seater cab and set out early morning around 7 A.M from Chennai. We decided to drive through East Coast Road, (commonly called ECR) a scenic highway. Pondicherry is about 160 KM and normal journey would take about three hours. We stopped for our breakfast at Motel Mamalla on the ECR near Mahabalipuram (60 KM from Chennai). I would recommend this place for anyone who loves authentic South Indian breakfast.

Ready to go in high-speed aqua scooter

Our first official stop was at Mudaliarkuppam (35 KM from Mahabalipuram). This place has a beautiful backwater area - a 4 km stretch, where Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has its boat bay. They offer row boats, pedal boats, kayak and motor boats for rent. We hired the eight seater motor boat for our backwater ride. The rides took us to through the canal to a white sandy Island where we could see both sea shore and the backwater. It is an ideal place for hangouts and for outdoor games.  Once back at boat bay, my son wants to try the recently launched water sport bike. TTDC charges 460 rupees (little pricey in my opinion) for 5 minutes ride, but it was unforgettable experience for him.

Our next stop, 60 KM drive from Mudaliarkuppam, was at Auroville, a universal township near Pondicherry.  Founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa (spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo) and designed by architect Roger Anger. It is meant to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, politics, religion and nationalities. The purpose of Auroville is to realize human unity.

At Auroville's Visitors' Centre we obtained our free passes to Matrimandir Viewing Point and watched a short introductory video about Auroville (http://www.auroville.org/). The Visitors Centre also has a small exhibit about Auroville and a number of stores that sell craft, handmade items like 100% natural soaps, perfumes, candles, books, clothes etc. It also has an excellent vegetarian restaurant.

Auroville Charter

A shaded footpath, about 1km long, leads us from the Visitors' Centre to the Viewing Point. An electric shuttle service is also available for those who may find it difficult to walk.  The walk to the Matrimandir is worth as it took us to through nice shady trees to the awesome architectural structure.  I am told, inside the Matrimandir a spiraling ramp leads upwards to an air-conditioned chamber of polished white marble.  At its centre, a 70 cm crystal ball glow with a single ray of sunlight that is directed on it from the top of structure. A perfect ambience to find one's consciousness; Matrimandir is a must see place for anyone who plans to visit Auroville.

Auroville Charter: Auroville belongs to nobody in particular. Auroville belongs to humanity as a whole ...

Auroville

Auroville Visitor Centre



Sri Aurobindo Ashram



6 KM drive from Auroville took us to our final destination Pondicherry; former French colony with a remarkable degree of French influence to this date.  The best way to move around in Pondicherry is by walk or by bicycle. You can even hire geared motorbike or no geared scooters.  There are quite a few motorcycle rent shop and the most of hotels also facilitate motorbike rent arrangements. All that is required is some form of identification document and advance for collateral. We decided to walk around Pondicherry after our lunch at Hotel Surguru (http://www.hotelsurguru.com/).  A good value for money hotel, which features an impressive selection of multi-cuisine fare.  Our trip came to fine conclusion after our visit to Sri Aurobindo Ashram, (http://www.sriaurobindoashram.org/) Manakula Vinayagar Temple and the beach. At 10:30 P.M, we were all back in Chennai with lot of memorable moments which we would cherish forever.

Matrimandir @ Auroville

Manakula Vinayagar Temple

Hotel Surguru near Aurobindo Ashram

If you prefer to stay in a place which closely resembles gracious old Tamil home(one with thinnai, open to sky mutram and oonjal) than in a boutique hotel, check out the Maison Perumal at No. 44 (old No 58) Perumal Koil Street, Puducherry. www.cghearth.com/maison_perumal . Cost around Rupees 6500 per night.