Friday, November 2, 2018

Vannara Paradesi Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi Temple, Odiyampattu, Villianur, Puducherry

Vannara Paradesi Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi Temple, Odiyampattu, Villianur, Puducherry
Vannara Paradesi Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi Temple is a Hindu Burial Shrine of Siddhar Vannara Paradesi Swamigal located at Odiyampattu Village near Villianur Town in Union Territory of Puducherry, India. This Jeeva Samadhi Temple is situated on the Northern bank of Sankaraparani River (Varaga Nadhi). The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Villianur Bus Stop, 8 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 8 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 11 Kms from Puducherry Airport, 3 Kms from Villianur Railway Station, 33 Kms from Villupuram, 32 Kms from Villupuram Railway Station, 151 Kms from Chennai Airport and 160 Kms from Chennai.




The temple is situated at about 2 Kms to the east from Villianur on Puducherry-Villupuram road. Bus facilities are available from both ends. Buses are available for every 10 minutes from Puducherry Main Bus Stand and Villupuram Bus Stand. From Pondicherry, take the Villupuram bound Bus or Villianur Bus and get down at Villianur Bus Stop. Share Autos are available from Villianur Bus Stop to reach this Temple. Nearest Railway Station is located at Villianur and Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.
Location

Anjaneya Temple, Vadanur, Puducherry

Anjaneya Temple, Vadanur, Puducherry
Anjaneya Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman located at Vadanur Village near Thirukkanur in Union Territory of Puducherry, India. It is not a typical Temple, it houses only Hanuman Statue. The Anjaneya Statue here is the biggest Hanuman statue in Pondicherry. Panchavadi Hanuman is biggest but geographically, the temple is located in Tamilnadu.

The Temple is located at about 4 Kms from Pidaripattu Bus Stop, 5 Kms from Thirukkanur, 8 Kms from Thiruvakkarai, 8 Kms from Thirubhuvanai, 17 Kms from Vikravandi, 21 Kms from Vikravandi Railway Station, 23 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 24 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 24 Kms from Puducherry Airport, 23 Kms from Villupuram, 22 Kms from Villupuram Railway Junction and 143 Kms from Chennai Airport.
The Temple is situated on Puducherry to Thirukkanur Road. Regular buses are plying between Puducherry and Thirukkanur. Devotees has to get down at Pidaripattu Bus Stop and take an auto to reach this Temple. Nearest Railway Stations are located at Puducherry, Vikravandi and Villupuram. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.
Location

Marine Beach, Puducherry

Marine Beach, Puducherry
Marine Beach is another unknown beach located near Uppalam Harbour in Puducherry Town in in Union Territory of Puducherry. This beach is secluded and strictly for bachelors. If families want to visit, go in groups. This beach is also called as Uppalam Harbour Beach. This beach is scarcely crowded and has an open pier and usually during the day you won't find anyone.




The Beach is located at about 4 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 2.5 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 9 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 150 Kms from Chennai Airport. This Beach is not connected by Bus. Tourists must take auto from Puducherry Railway Station or Bus Stand or by own vehicle should visit this beach. This beach is located very near to Puducherry New Light House. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.



Location

Thenkalai Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Muthialpet, Puducherry

Thenkalai Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Muthialpet, Puducherry
Thenkalai Srinivasa Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Muthialpet in Puducherry Town in Union Territory of Puducherry. This Temple is one of the oldest and prestigious temples in Pondicherry situated in Mahatma Gandhi Road in Muthialpet, about 2 Kms from the shore of the Bay of Bengal.


History
This temple was constructed in early 1800 A.D. This temple came under the control of Hindu Religious Act in 1966. The last Balalayam was held in 1982 and Kumbabishekam was held on 08-02-1985. The Temple has been renovated recently and the Mahakumbabishekam was held on 12/02/2016 in a grand scale under the auspices of Thirukovilur Jeer and Singa Perumal Kovil Mudaliyandan Swamigal and with the blessing of the Sri Srirangam Jeer.


The Temple
This temple faces east with 5 tier Rajagopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Thenkalai Srinivasa Perumal and is facing east. All the three postures of Lord Vishnu can be seen in this Temple. Presiding Deity, Thenkalai Srinivasa Perumal can be seen in standing posture, Lakshmi Narasimhar can be seen in sitting posture and Ranganathar can be seen in reclining posture.


Mother is called as Padmavathi Thayar and she is housed in a separate shrine facing east. There are shrines for Ranganathar (facing west), Lakshmi Narasimhar (facing west), Lord Rama, Krishna, Andal, Alwars, Manavala Mamunigal and Varashakthi Anjaneyar (facing north) in the Temple premises.


Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 06.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 04.00 PM to 09.00 PM.
Pooja Timings
S. No
Poojas
Timings
1
Kala Santhi Pooja
8:00 AM
2
Uchikala Pooja
12:00 PM
3
Sayaratchai Pooja
06.00 PM
4
Arthajama Pooja
9:10 PM
Festivals
Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Brahmotsavam, Vasantha Utsavam, Thayar Utsavam and Hanuman Jayanthi are the festivals celebrated here with much fanfare.
Contact
Thenkalai Srinivasa Perumal Temple,
Muthialpet, Puducherry – 605 003
Phone: +91 413 653 6537
Mobile: +91 94430 76487
Connectivity
The Temple is situated in Mahatma Gandhi Road (MG Road) in Muthialpet Area of Puducherry. The Temple is located at about 100 meters Ezhai Mariamman Koil Bus Stop, 4 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 3 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 4 Kms from Puducherry Airport, 10 Kms from Auroville and 146 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Temple is situated on Pondicherry Bus Stand to JIPMER (Gorimedu) Bus Route. Devotee can get down at Ezhai Mariamman Koil Bus Stop. The Temple is located at a walkable distance from this Bus Stop. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this temple from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.
Location

St. Theresa of Avila Church, Osudu, Puducherry

St. Theresa of Avila Church, Osudu, Puducherry
St. Theresa of Avila Church is located at Osudu Village near famous Ousteri Lake in Puducherry Town in Union Territory of Puducherry. The Church is located at about 500 meters from Osudu Eri Bus Stop, 3.5 kms from Pathukkannu Bus Stop, 9 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 10 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 150 Kms from Chennai Airport.



The Church is situated on Pondicherry Bus Stand to Pathukkannu Bus Route. Tourists can get down at Osudu Eri Bus Stop. The Church is located at a walkable distance from this Bus Stop. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this Church from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.



Location

St. Andrew's Church, Reddiarpalayam, Puducherry

St. Andrew's Church, Reddiarpalayam, Puducherry
St. Andrew's Church is one of the oldest churches in Reddiarpalayam area of Puducherry, a Union territory in South India. The original structure was built in Gothic architecture in 1745 by Kanakaraya Mudali, the longest serving dubash of the French East India Company. During the opening of the Church, Mudali hosted a feast that included all castes and religions, the first of its kind that is recorded in the history of South India. It is believed that the Church was destroyed by the British in 1761 and was later rebuilt in 1830. It is the first Church in South India to have inscriptions made in Tamil during the times.


St. Andrew's Church is a working church with hourly prayer and daily services and follows Roman Catholic sect of Christianity. The chapel was controlled by Capuchin priests initially and then changed hands to Petite Seminaire School Fathers up to 1860. In modern times, it is under the dominion of Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore. It is one of the most prominent landmarks in Puducherry.


History
The details of the church are found in the inscriptions made in the temple in Tamil, the first one of its kind in South India. Pondicherry was originally founded by 1674 by Francois Martin, while the French East Indian Company by Thaniappa Mudaliar in 1691 CE. The colony passed hands between the French and British colonial Empire till 1816 when it became a permanent colony of the French. Some accounts place that the church was built in 1675 by Capuchins following the Apostle St. Andrew. Other accounts place that the church was built in the fort by Father Ephraim de Nevers in 1642 as a temporary structure, which would go on to be modified as a permanent structure in 1675. 


As per other accounts and also the official history of the Church, it was built by Kanakaraya Mudali (1696- 1746), the grandson of Thaniyappa Mudaliyar and the longest serving dubash for the French Colonial Empire in 1745. He hosted a multi caste religious feast in the region subsequently attended by people across different castes and religions in the region. It is believed that the Church was destroyed by the British in 1761 and was later rebuilt in 1830.


Life History of Kanakaraya Mudali:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Architecture
The church is built in Gothic architecture. The altar has conventional Catholic images in the altar and a vestry for the devotees. The bust size statue of Kanakaraya Mudali is housed over his tomb in the precincts of the church. The plaques of Our Lady and St. Andrew are housed in glass chambers in standing posture on either side of the altar in the walls facing the devotees. A grotto of St. Andrews is located outside the entrance of the vestry near the entrance.


Worship Practices
St. Andrews Church was originally under the dominions of the Cathedral and later changed hands to Petite Seminaire School Fathers up to 1860. The priests in the church were originally only French, but during modern times, Tamil people were also allowed. In modern times, the Church is administered by the Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore. The religious activities are performed by an archbishop and two Parish priests.
Mass Timings
Mass is performed in the church from Monday to Friday on 5 a.m., 6.am. and 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 5 a.m., 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sundays. 
Feast
The feast of the church is celebrated during the Christmas times for eight days, starting with flag hoisting on 24 January and ending on 2 January. 
Connectivity
The Church is located at about 100 meters from Kamban Nagar Bus Stop, 1.5 Kms from Indira Gandhi Square Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 4 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 6 Kms from Villianur, 7 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 148 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Church is situated on Pondicherry to Villupuram Route. Take any Villupuram Bound Bus and get down at Kamban Nagar Bus Stop to reach this Church. Buses, Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this place from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Kanakaraya Mudali – Life History

Kanakaraya Mudali – Life History
Pedro Kanakaraya Mudaliar was the chief Dubash and a broker for the French East India Company. He remained in service for the longest period of 24 years between 1722 and 1746, especially during the early period of Joseph François Dupleix. He was succeeded by Ananda Ranga Pillai. Everything known about his life comes from the private diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai and the inscriptions found in the walls of St. Andrews church, which he built in the memory of his dead son.
In the diary, he is portrayed as being jealous and the chief rival of Ranga Pillai. Thus, the accuracy of the description is questionable. As a broker, his roles were to act as an intermediary, supervising the manufacture of clothes, warehousing, and export of merchandise. Although the role of the broker was not to supply the French company with manufactured goods, he did so. He was a great merchant.
Early Life
Nothing is known about the early life of Pedro Kanakaraya Mudaliar. All converted Christians were poor except the family of Kanakaraya Mudaliar and his brothers. It was only of late years that a few had been able to keep themselves in comfort as European’s dubashes or in other employment. His grandfather Thanappa Mudaliar was the first chief Dubash of the French East India Company. Thanappa played an important role in creating and instituting the French colony in Pondicherry.
Thanappa Mudaliar, a native of Poonamallee, embraced Christianity with his son on 20 March 1671 and took the name Lazaro de Mota. He did business in rice with French starting from 1672. The French kept him as their consultant in trade and commerce. It was by his suggestion that the French officials reached Pondicherry by sea on 15 January 1674 with 150 migrants. Thanappa Mudaliar was appointed as the chief agent of the East India Company in 1674.
He was appointed as the head of the Tamil merchants in 1686. He was thus given the full control over the entire business of the company with the native merchants. He was the one to fix the prices of all commodities made available to the French in Pondicherry. Thanappa Mudaliar invited weavers from neighboring places and made them settle down in areas with a view to procuring sufficient volumes of textiles for export.
He got constructed storehouses for the commodities so textiles, saltpeter, camphor, ivory, precious stones, and spices from other regions were brought to Pondicherry for export to France. His son Andre Muthappa Mudaliar discharged the duties of the courtier from 1699 onward. On his demise Nainiyappa was asked to take charge in 1708. He held an important position in French Pondicherry.
As a dubash
After Nainiappa, Pedro Kanakaraya Mudaliar, the grandson of Thanappa Mudaliar entered the service of the French Company as courier between 1716 and 1743. It seems that he got the position because the Chief Ecclesiastes of the Colony strongly desired that the holders of the office needed to be a Christian.
He supplied commodities to the French. He used to get the Indian merchants contracts for the supply of commodities. In 1739 when the French were in financial difficulties, he advanced money to them even without interest thus gaining their trust. He engaged himself in the supply of cloth to the French for export in 1743.
Selling his ship
It is recorded by Ananda Ranga Pillai that Kanakaraya Mudaliar sold his ship. The sale of the ship was documented in the presence of the notary. Kanakaraya Mudaliar seems to be the first Tamil, who owned a ship during the French rule in India. A certificate of sale of The Soucourarna was issued in June 1730. The sale was made for the value of 2800 pagodas. Dupleix remitted the amount to him in the form of cargo of gold of the voyage to Bengal and Surat.
Death of his son
On 22 October 1739, his only son Velavendra Mudali (birth: 12 September 1718) died at age of 21. Even though the circumstances and the cause of death are not recorded, Ananda Ranga pillai being a well-versed astrologist, suggests in his diary that this is due to a bad turn in Kanagaraya Mudaliyar's astrology. He also records that Velavendra was buried the next day at 3:00 PM with silk attire and pearl earrings and ring to his finger.
Kanagaraya was very much disturbed as his son was very helpful to him in all aspects. When they returned from the cemetery, Ananda Ranga pillai records that Kanagaraya wife's sari was set ablaze in an accident and one his Kanagaraya house was destroyed in fire costing him around 100 varagans. All of this are considered by Ananda Ranga pillai as astrological misfortunes.
Feast for building St. Andrews Church
Ananda Ranga Pillai records in his diary the erection of a new church on 30 November 1745 by Kanagaraya. On this day, he invited everyone without distinction of caste or religion. This is the first recorded equality meal in Tamil Nadu. He invited all the Brahmans, Vellazhas, Komuttis, Chettis, goldsmiths, weavers, oil-mongers, and people of other castes along all Europeans and Christians.
Ranga pillai notes that Kanagaraya made elaborate arrangements for preparation of food. Different caste people were prepared food in places of Pondicherry as per their tradition. Ranga Pillai states that the feast started at 1:00 PM. The Governor Dupleix, his consort, in company with all the members of Council partook of the banquet. He remained until 5 in the evening, and then returned to Mortancli Chavadi. They only problem was that each caste people were forced to partake in the banquet as per his caste traditions alone.
Death
On the afternoon of 11 February 1746, Kanagaraya Mudali fell ill and almost unconscious. His wife Nachathiram sent word to the wife of the governor, Jeanne Dupleix. She came and consoled Kanagaraya Mudaliar. Nachathiram requested Jeanne Dupleix to seal her husband's house, in case of his passing away, so that his brother wouldn't claim his property. On February 12, 1746, at 05:00 AM, Kanagaraya Mudaliar died. He left behind his wife and his childless, widowed daughter-in-law. The house was sealed as requested by Nachathiram. A grand state funeral was arranged.
It is described by Ananda Ranga Pillai in his diary as follows: The Mudali's body, handsomely dressed, girt with the laced sash which M. Dumas had sent from Europe, and adorned in many other ways — exactly as a king when coming out of his palace — was then put in a coffin; and the corpse was brought out at 7 in the evening. A stately horse, followed by forty soldiers, bearing arms, was led in front of the procession; the drums beat a funeral march; forty European boys studying in the mission college marched along in two lines, on either side of the cortege; and the priests of the church of the Capuchins and that of St. Paul went along reciting prayers, according to the rites prescribed by their religion.
Then the Councilors and the ladies of their families, numbers of the European gentry of both sexes, natives, Muhammadans, and other people, including women, came out to look at the procession. There was no one in the crowd who did not feel sorry for this death. As the corpse was in this wise being borne along from the house to the burial ground, amidst general mourning, the Governor, his lady, and some of the Councilors, came, and waited near the Kalatti Eswaran Temple. When the coffin approached, the Governor and those with him stood up, holding candles in their hands, according to the rites of the Christian religion; and after it had passed them, they gave these away, entered their palanquins, and went home.
When the corpse reached the cemetery, the coffin was lowered into the vault wherein the body of the Mudali's son was buried; the soldiers then discharged eleven guns were fired from the fort. After the deceased had been thus interred, the people departed. The Mudali entered on his duties on Friday 10 September 1724. He served twenty-one years, five months, and a few days. Scarcely has it been the lot of anyone else to live without interruption in the same style, for so long a period.
Problem of inheritance
When the question of deciding who should inherit Kanakaraya property came up in 1748, a committee of 20 officials were appointed to arbitrate. Ananda Ranga Pillai led the committee. The committee decided that Chinna Mudali, the brother of the deceased Kanakaraya Mudali was the rightful heir to his estate. However, Chinna Mudali was not satisfied and the matter dragged on till April 1746, when Dupleix decided the case combining Mitakshara law and the concept of legitim from French jurisprudence. Balancing the interests of the two women was what Dupleix had to achieve. The women were given life interest in the property and, after their lifetime, the properties were to go to Kanakaraya's brother Tanappa Mudaliar.
Namesakes
A street near Gopal Pillaiyar Temple in Tiruvannamalai (former French colony) is named after him as Kanakaraya Mudali Street.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry

Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry
Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a spiritual organization located in White Town Area of Puducherry Town in Union Territory of Puducherry. The Sri Aurobindo Ashram located on Rue de la Marine, is one of the most well-known and wealthiest ashrams in India, with devotees from India and all over the world flocking towards it for spiritual salvation. Its spiritual tenets represent a synthesis of yoga and modern science. Children below 3 years of age are not allowed into the Ashram and photography is allowed only with permission of the Ashram authorities. The ashram grew out of a small community of disciples who had gathered around Sri Aurobindo after he retired from politics and settled in Pondicherry in 1910.

On 24 November 1926, after a major spiritual realization, Sri Aurobindo withdrew from public view in order to continue his spiritual work. At this time, he handed over the full responsibility for the inner and outer lives of the sadhaks (spiritual aspirants) and the ashram to his spiritual collaborator, "the Mother", earlier known as Mirra Alfassa. This date is therefore generally known as the founding-day of the ashram, though, as Sri Aurobindo himself wrote, it had less been created than grown around him as its centre.

Related Organizations
Sri Aurobindo Ashram has only one location. It does not have any branches. (Sri Aurobindo Ashram – Delhi Branch is a separate organization, with its own administration.) Many other organizations in Pondicherry and elsewhere include “Sri Aurobindo” in their name, but they are not part of Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The most important organization also inspired by the vision of Sri Aurobindo is Auroville, an international township founded by the Mother and dedicated to human unity.

Early History
Life in the community that preceded the ashram was informal. Sri Aurobindo spent most of his time in writing and meditation. The three or four young men who had followed him to Pondicherry in 1910 lived with him and looked after the household. Otherwise they were free to do as they wished. The Mother and French writer Paul Richard met Sri Aurobindo in 1914 and proposed that they bring out a monthly review; but after the outbreak of World War I, they were obliged to leave India, and Sri Aurobindo had to do almost all of the work on the review himself, helped a little by the young men who were living with him.

In April 1920 the Mother returned to Pondicherry, and soon the community began to take the form of an ashram, more because the sadhaks desired to entrust their whole inner and outer life to the Mother than from any intention or plan of hers or of Sri Aurobindo. After the ashram was given formal shape in 1926, it experienced a period of rapid growth, increasing from around 24 in the beginning of 1927 to more than 150 in 1934. The membership leveled off in 1934 owing to a lack of suitable housing. During these years there was a regular routine.

At 6:00 every morning the Mother appeared on the ashram balcony to initiate the day with her blessings. Sadhaks would have woken very early and completed a good portion of the day’s work including meditation and then assembled under the balcony to receive her blessings. As the ashram grew, many departments came up and were looked after by the sadhaks as part of their sadhana: the offices, library, dining room, book/photograph printing, workshops, sports / playground, art gallery, dispensary/nursing home, farms, dairies, flower gardens, guest houses, laundry, bakery, etc.

The heads of the departments met the Mother in the morning and took her blessings and orders. She would meet the sadhaks individually again at 10 am and, in the evening at 5:30 pm, she would conduct meditation and meet the sadhaks. In addition, four times a year Sri Aurobindo and the Mother used to give public Darshans (spiritual gatherings where the guru bestows blessings) to thousands of devotees gathered to receive grace.

Present Status
Once confined to a few buildings in one corner of Pondicherry, the Ashram’s growth has caused it to expand physically in all directions. Today Ashramites live and work in more than 400 buildings spread throughout the town. The central focus of the community is one group of houses including those in which Sri Aurobindo and the Mother dwelt for most of their lives in Pondicherry. This interconnected block of houses — called “the Ashram main-building”, or more usually just “the Ashram” — surrounds a tree-shaded courtyard, at the centre of which lies the flower-covered “Samadhi”.

This white marble shrine holds, in two separate chambers, the physical remains of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Today, Pondicherry has become an important destination for spiritual seekers as well as tourists. Thousands of visitors from all over the world come to the ashram. The visiting hours for the visitors are from 8 am to 12 noon and then again from 2 pm to 6 pm.

Aims & Ideals
The Ashram, according to Sri Aurobindo, has been created with another object than that ordinarily common to such institutions, not for the renunciation of the world but as a centre and a field of practice for the evolution of another kind and form of life which would in the final end be moved by a higher spiritual consciousness and embody a greater life of the spirit. The practice of Integral Yoga, Sri Aurobindo explained, does not proceed through any set mental teaching or prescribed forms of meditation, mantras or others, but by aspiration, by a self-concentration inwards or upwards, by self-opening to an Influence, to the Divine Power above us and its workings, to the Divine Presence in the heart, and by the rejection of all that is foreign to these things.

There are many things belonging to older systems that are necessary on the way — an opening of the mind to a greater wideness and to the sense of the Self and the Infinite, an emergence into what has been called the cosmic consciousness, mastery over the desires and passions; an outward asceticism is not essential, but the conquest of desire and attachment and a control over the body and its needs, greeds and instincts are indispensable. There is a combination of the principles of the old systems, the way of knowledge through the mind’s discernment between Reality and the appearance, the heart’s way of devotion, love and surrender and the way of works turning the will away from motives of self-interest to the Truth and the service of a greater Reality than the ego.

For the whole being has to be trained so that it can respond and be transformed when it is possible for that greater Light and Force to work in the nature. The complete method of Integral Yoga aims to transform human life into a divine life. In Sri Aurobindo's yoga, the highest aim is the state of being one with the Divine, without the renunciation of life in the world. For such a fulfillment of the consciousness, the urge for perfection must not be confined to a few individuals. There must be a general spiritual awakening and aspiration in mankind as well as a dynamic re-creating of individual manhood in the spiritual type. This would lead eventually to the emergence of a new type of being, the gnostic being, which would be the hope of a more harmonious evolutionary order in terrestrial Nature.
Publications
Sri Aurobindo Ashram is the primary publisher of the works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. As of January 2015, it keeps some 200 publications in English in print, of which 78 are books by Sri Aurobindo, 44 books by the Mother, 27 compilations from their works, and 47 books by other authors. These books are printed at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Press, which has been in operation since the 1940s. They are distributed by SABDA, the Ashram’s book distribution service, which has been in operation since the 1950s.
SABDA also carries books relating to Sri Aurobindo, the Mother, and their yoga brought out by other publishers, making the number of English books on their list more than 600. The Ashram also publishes books in 17 other European and Indian languages, for a total of more than 550 publications. SABDA carries these and other non-English titles: in all there are 1678 titles in 23 languages. The photographs of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother are printed in house and is available from Ashram reception service. Sizes are available to suit table top to large wall frames.
Collected Works
The Complete Works of Sri Aurobindo are being issued in 37 volumes, of which 34 have been published. The Collected Works of the Mother have been issued in 17 volumes.
Periodicals
The Ashram publishes a number of journals relating to the philosophy and yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. These are currently printed at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Press, though several were earlier brought out in other cities. Some of Sri Aurobindo’s works first appeared in these and other journals, among them The Advent, a quarterly, which has recently ceased publication.
The most important journals in English are:
1. Bulletin of Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education (English-French, formerly Bulletin of Physical Education), quarterly, Pondicherry, since 1949
2. Mother India (English), monthly, Pondicherry, since 1949
The Ashram press also prints several journals published by other organizations. These include:
·        All India Magazine (English and other languages), monthly, Pondicherry
·        Bartika (Bengali), quarterly, Calcutta, since 1942
·        Srinvantu, quarterly, Calcutta, since 1956
·        World Union (English), monthly, Pondicherry
Rules, Governance & Relations with Local Community
During the early years of the community Sri Aurobindo and the Mother imposed very few rules on the sadhaks, because they wished them to learn to direct their lives by looking for the divine guidance within. After 1926, written rules were circulated. The main rules were an absolute prohibition of alcohol, drugs, sex and politics. There were also a number of guidelines for the smooth functioning of the collective life of the community. These rules were collected in Rules and Regulations of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, copies of which are given to all members.
The Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust was established in 1955 to administer the community and its assets. The trust board consists of five Trustees, the first of whom were chosen by the Mother herself. After her passing in 1973, the trustees have chosen replacements by consensus. The main ashram departments are overseen by department heads who report to the Trustees.
The Ashram, a public charitable trust, is open to all. No distinctions of nationality, religion, caste, gender, or age are observed. Members come from every part of India and many foreign countries. A large number of devotees from Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu visit the Ashram every day, and support the activities of the Ashram in various ways. Many say that they have benefited from the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. However, some feel that there is little mingling of ashramites and local people. According to a senior Ashram official, the practice of silence observed by the Ashramites may have been misunderstood as rude behavior.
Sexual Harassment Policy and Allegations
In compliance with the Central Government's Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust constituted an Internal Complaints Committee in April 2014. In 2001, a female member was expelled from the ashram for violating a mandatory rule. Thereafter she filed charges of sexual harassment against various members. These charges were dismissed by committees and government agencies, all of which found the charges false. The then chairperson of the National Commission for Women added that there appeared to be malicious planning behind the complaints.
Visit to the Samadhi
You can go to the Samadhi for pranam and meditation from 8.00 a.m. to noon and from 2.00 to 6.00 p.m. After 6.00 p.m. a visitor’s pass is required to enter. Passes can be issued if you are staying in an Ashram Guest House or by Bureau Central.
Collective Meditations
On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday there is a collective meditation around the samadhi from 7.25 to 7.50 p.m. All those with a visitor pass are welcome to join. On Thursday and Sunday, a collective meditation is held in the Ashram Playground between 7.45 and 8.15 p.m. This is open only to members of the Ashram and those 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. Every day, 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 spiritual significances, etc.
Conducted Tours
Autocare Services operates two tours every weekday: at 8.15 a.m., to see the Ashram and some of its departments, and at 1.30 p.m., to visit Auroville (Matrimandir Viewing Point).
Ashram Bookstores
Visitors can purchase the works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, books written about them or their vision, philosophy, and system of yoga, as wells as photographs, gift cards, CDs and DVDs, etc. The Service Branch of the Publication Department is located inside the Ashram compound in the reception area near the Samadhi. The Kripa Branch is located diagonally across the road.
The Ashram Library
The Library has a large collection of books and periodicals available for reading on site.
Cultural Programmes
The notice board inside the Ashram main building announces cultural programmes in such fields as music, dance, art, poetry, and theatre. These are open to visitors. Some special programmes may require entry passes, but that would be indicated on the notice board.
Important Dates & Activities
·        01 January     New Year’s Day
·        21 February     The Mother's birthday (Darshan day)
·        24 April     The Mother's final arrival in Pondicherry (Darshan day)
·        15 August     Sri Aurobindo's birthday (Darshan day)
·        17 November     The Mother's Mahasamadhi
·        20 November     The Mother's body laid to rest
·        24 November     Siddhi Day (Darshan day)
·        01 & 02 December     Anniversary of the Ashram School
·        05 December     Sri Aurobindo's Mahasamadhi
·        09 December     Sri Aurobindo's body laid to rest
Accommodation
There are a few guest houses run by the Ashram where visitors can stay for a short while. As the Ashram attracts many visitors throughout the year, you should make reservations in advance and especially during the Special Days in the Ashram. Should you arrive at the Ashram without a confirmed booking, you can go to the Bureau Central, which allots rooms according to requirements, provided accommodation is available. There are some Ashram-related guest houses as well as many hotels and lodges in Pondicherry, but there too one should try to reserve accommodation in advance. Travel sites on the internet list descriptions and contact information.
Name of Guest House
Checkout Time
FRO Auth.
Park Guest House
1, Goubert Avenue (Beach Road)
Pondicherry – 605001
Phone: +91 413 2224644 / 2233644
Email: parkgh@sriaurobindoashram.org
Working Hours: 7am - 10pm
12.00 p.m.
Yes
Cottage Guest House
3, Ranga Pillai Street
Pondicherry – 605001
Phone: +91 413 2233610
Working Hours: 8 - 12noon, 2 - 4pm (Sunday) 8.30 - 9.30am
12.00 p.m.
Yes
New Guest House
64, Rue Romain Rolland,
Pondicherry – 605001
Phone: +91 413 2221553 / 2233634
Email: newguesthouse@gmail.com
Working Hours: 6.30 am - 10 pm
12.00 p.m.
Contact
Aurobindo Ashram,
Puducherry – 605 001
Phone: +91 413 233 604
Email: bureaucentral@sriaurobindoashram.org
Web: www.sriaurobindoashram.org
Connectivity
The Ashram is located very close to the famous Manakula Vinayagar Temple and Raj Niwas. The Ashram is located at about 200 meters from Aurobindo Ashram Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 2 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 6 Kms from Puducherry Airport and 150 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Ashram is situated on Pondicherry Bus Stand to JIPMER (Gorimedu) Bus Route. Tourists can get down at Aurobindo Ashram Bus Stop. The Ashram is located at a walkable distance from this Bus Stop. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this Ashram from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.
Location