IOANNINA, GREECE
The Migrated Bird
INDIA
Travel To south India (Tamil Nadu - Pondicherry ):
1. Auroville
2. Pondicherry
3. Sea Shore Temple (World Heritage Site)
3. Monolithic Rathas (World Heritage Site)
4. Dakshin Chitra
Auroville + Pondicherry
The town for Equality, Serenity, Creativity and Harmony.
in this fancy world, you will see fancy and noisy towns and cities with concrete jungle, but there is a place in the south part of India, and the world calls it "Auroville”. The Auroville has designed on unique concept and thoughts. ordinarily, we see the town as a business, residence and our daily activities, but Auroville is about Peace, Harmony, Equality, Tranquillity, Meditation, and Creativity. so, if you are in India you must visit this place.
the creation of meditation town based on vision, belief, and spirituality, which mainly designed on the intellectual foresight of Sri Aurobindo. The purpose of this designed town you can see, when exploring Auroville, and you will see out how four-point charters actually achieved on existing town. The town is purely serene and tranquil, eco-friendly and sustainable, most of the area of Auroville is covered by trees and green vegetation, where, roads are not perfectly made from asphalt or concrete, but most of the roads are earth roads or Raw road.
Auroville is the place where people arriving from all over the world, come from diverse background and religions, but, their faith is the same, they come for meditation, peace and finds out the purpose of the existence of their life.
One of the most remarkable concepts of Auroville is its master plan, laid out in form of a galaxy - a galaxy in which several 'arms' or Lines of Force seem to unwind from a central region.
Auroville for
1. Auroville belongs to nobody in particular. Auroville belongs to humanity as a whole. But to live in Auroville, one must be the willing servitor of the Divine Consciousness.
2. Auroville will be the place of an unending education, of constant progress, and a youth that never ages.
3. Auroville wants to be the bridge between the past and the future. Taking advantage of all discoveries from without and from within, Auroville will boldly spring towards future realizations.
4. Auroville will be a site of material and spiritual researches for a living embodiment of an actual Human Unity.
Location :
Auroville is located in south India, and east coast bay of Bengal and The town is located between Chennai and Pondicherry. Chennai is 150 km away from the Auroville, but, the town is just 10km away from Union Territory Pondicherry.
Transportation :
If you are already in India, then you can come by train or flight to Chennai, Chennai is a major big city of India, so The city is well connected to most of the parts of India. Therefore if you want to reach Auroville, then first you have to reach Chennai.
From Chennai Central railway station : (By bus)
After you reached on central railway station, Take a local train from Park Town Station which is walking distance from Central Station for Guindi. Get down at Guindi Station and take a bus for Pondicherry from across the road. Ask the driver to drop you at the Auroville junction on the ECR Road.
Chennai Koyambedu Bus Station (By Bus)
Take a bus for Pondicherry from across the road. Ask the driver to drop you at the Auroville junction on the ECR Road.
From Chennai Airport :
Take a local train from outside the airport heading into Chennai. Get down at Guindi Station and take a bus for Pondicherry from across the road. Ask the driver to drop you at the Auroville junction on the ECR Road.
For Guindi Station you can hire a taxi outside the Chennai airport.
By Taxi :
The journey from Chennai to Auroville takes about three hours by taxi. For the international traveler, this is the safest, most convenient mode of transport.
you have to book a taxi in advance, but you can book a taxi from an app on the spot from the airport or Railway station.
Some of app taxi do book a round trip for a passenger, so if you want to stay for 2-3 days in Auroville, then you can go with this plan. OLA TAXI App
Click on The Photo For Link
Auroville Taxi Services (Special) :
Shared Transport Service Online booking website: http://sharedtransport.auroville.org/
E-mail: sharedtransport@auroville.org.in
Phone +91 413 2623 200 | +91 413 2623 201 | +91 8270512508
Accomodations :
Auroville Auroville is becoming famous place around the world and every year travelers are increasing, so accommodation services are in demand, however, there are sufficient accommodation services for guests. Service apartments, houses, Hotels, tents and thatch roof huts are the main accommodation for all guests. furthermore, in the month of November, December and January, lots of guests arrive in the town, so I would give you advise for advance booking, however, you will able to find the accommodation outside Auroville in Pondicherry.
website: http://guesthouses.auroville.org/
Email : avguestservice@auroville.org.in
website: http://guestservice.auroville.org/
: guestaccommodation@auroville.org.in
Ph: 0413-2622675
My Stay at Auromode Apartments
The Auromode apartment is a quite good place to stay in Auroville, the place is peaceful and near to Matru mandir. basically, Auromode has service apartment, which includes one big room, Kitchenettes, and toilet. in kitchen, they will provide you one small fridge, storage and gas stave.
Safety :
safety is not a big issue in Auroville, but, you need to be careful when you go alone at unknown places. Because most areas of Auroville are covered by big trees and vegetation, you should not visit places at evening time in Auroville, but if you have a companion then you can go outside.
Please do not go with the unknown person or Unfamiliar tourist guide or do not eat from an unknown person.
safety is always in your hand, so deal wisely, and stay calm with others, or just stay away from the unknown person or an argument.
in case of emergency, you can contact police or Auroville support team. always save the emergency number of police, ambulance and, Auroville support telephone number, when you would arrive in Auroville.
Auroville Internal Transportation:
Moped, Bicycle, and Bike are the best transportation mode to explore Auroville. I would not advise you for a car as transportation, however, you are not comfortable in hot humid climate, or if you are not comfortable in the dusty wind on the road, then, you can go places by car.
always ask on the reception desk for moped, bike or bicycle hire, they will arrange your transportation. for rental rate, you can see on the internet or you can book a bike online.
For driving a bike in Auroville, you must have a driving license.
Walk in Auroville will give you most beautiful experience in your life. Auroville is a small town, and full of greenery, therefore you will feel freshness during your walk.
Email In advance for some places to visit:
in Auroville, all places you can not visit suddenly, if you wish to visit schools, houses or Institute then you have to Email them in advance and, wait for confirmation Email from the them.
BEST PLACES IN AUROVILLE
1. Matrimandir (book you concentration time)
3. Townhall
4. Earth Institute
5. Savitri Bhavan
6. Solar kitchen
7. Bharat Nivas - Pavilion of India
8. Pavilion of Tibetan Culture
9. Architect Anupama Kundu house (permission required)
10. Architect Roger Anger house (permission required)
11. Roadside Cafes
12. Oli School (permission required)
13. Banyan tree
MY 3 DAYS IN AUROVILLE
1. Matrimandir
Matrimandir is located in the center of Auroville, which is a symbol of peace and meditation. like in the galaxy, the sun is in the center, like that, Matrimandir is the focal point of Auroville. Matrimandir has dedicated to the universal mother from all religions and civilization.
Matrimandir is the soul of the town, and it is shinning like a star. the shape of Matrimandir is like a gigantic sphere, on the top of the sphere the shinning round shape golden cladding plated. the golden cladding is adding more energy and traditional value in the sphere of Matrimandir, as well, these golden disk spreading positive energy into the atmosphere of Matrimandir.
Visitor centre located near Kala Kendra and Savitri Bhavan and, the visitor centre is just a few minutes away from Matrimandir by walk.
The main purpose of the building is to resolve queries of the tourists, in the same building you can book timing for meditation in the Matrimandir, but you must book your appointment in before your visit. In busy time, the Matrimandir meditation appointment will be a delay or you will not get on your desire time, so, if possible then book your appointment online.
The visitor centre constructed in exposed mud bricks and, the structure itself is very famous in Auroville. Many tourists visit this building to experience architecture and planning. The building has designed on sustainable and, energy-efficient concepts, so this the main reason for many visitors.
The Visitor’s Centre consists of Shops, Café, Toilets and exhibition area. In the same area on the first floor, you will find the office for Matrimandir meditation appointment.
The opposite side of the main visitor’s centre, you will see small auditorium where the audiovisual presentation of Matrimandir in different languages take place. After the presentation, the staff will take you to the Matrimandir which can take 5-10 minutes’ walk on the muddy pathway.
3. Townhall
The hall located in the centre of the city, and just a few metres away from the Mantrimandir. The Townhall is an administrative block where all meeting takes place for the working group of the Auroville. The building consists of offices, conference and multimedia facilities.
4. Earth Institute
The institute is located on the northside of the town. The Earth Institute in Auroville is 30 years old institute, which has been working and researching on the earth related building technology. The same institute has a workshop area where they undertake various construction technologies and make the model. There are many arches, vaults and domes they have erected on the site and, this method of construction is a very low cost, energy-saving, low carbon and sustainable.
If you are interested in Architecture then one must visit this place or sometimes they take workshops for low costing housing which you can join by paying fees.
5. Savitri Bhavan
Savitri Bhavan in Auroville located between Mantrimandir and Visitor’s centre. The centre is teaching a spiritual education based on Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Savitri Bhavan consists of Auditorium, Exhibition area, reading room, information and reception area. Many lecture and presentation take place in Savitri Bhavan.
6. Solar kitchen
Solar kitchen is located at the southside of the town, and, this kitchen serves food to Auroville. Solar kitchen name came from Solar Bowl which, is located on the rooftop of the building. In the Solar kitchen, food prepared from solar energy when sun available. This kitchen prepares 1000 meals per day which, provide food to school, residents and visitors. If you are in Auroville then, you should try solar cooked food.
7. Bharat Nivas - Pavilion of India, (Kala Kendra + Auditorium)
Bharat Nivas is a complex of Kala Kendra and, Sri Aurobindo Auditorium, the complex is located near the visitor’s centre.
Sri Aurobindo Auditorium’s huge cantilever canopy and, pergola in it make the structure more attractive and unique. The space around this auditorium is quite open and, the backside of the auditorium there is art gallery call Kala Kendra. From the backside of the Kala Kendra, you can access Tibet Pavillion.
Tibet Pavilion is located behind Bharat Nivas in Auroville. Pavilion of Tibetan culture is demonstrating the culture of Tibet, the edifice is mainly designed on the concept of Tibetan house, so Pavilion is quite different than other structures in the town.
The Pavilion of Tibetan culture is a place for exhibition, lectures, activities and celebration of the festival. The same building is also a place for many Tibetans residents.
9. Architect Anupama Kundu house (Wall House)
One of the awarded house which is located outside of plan town of Auroville. house is quite open and, well connected to nature. Wall house has won multiple architectural awards for its excellent design, concept and, construction techniques.
This is a private house and, if you want to visit the wall house then, you need to take permission from the owner.
10. Architect Roger Anger house (permission required)
11. Roadside Cafes
You will find many of roadside cafes in Auroville. Most of the cafe serves foreign food as well as local food. The south Indian food is one of the famous foods in India as well as in other countries. The south Indian food consists of Idli, dosa, Uttapa, Coffee, etc which serves in most of the cafes.
Most of the cafes are very open or into dense greenery, many cafés have the sitting area under the trees and, this is the best part of the cafes, you can park your vehicle next to the cafes and, order food. They serve your food as soon as possible at your table.
PONDICHERRY
Pondicherry is positioned near Chennai in south India. Pondicherry is one of union territory amid seven of India. Culturally Pondicherry is alike Tamil, and almost Pondicherry residents are speaking the same Tamil language as the neighbour state.
Pondicherry was under French rule until 1954, after 1954 Pondicherry had incorporated in India as a union territory. The fairy tale of French quarter architecture still alive in the streets of Pondicherry, the chick boutique, Mustard colour line colonial houses, cafes and food have many influences of French touch in it.
Pondicherry is nearby Auroville town, Auroville is just 10 km away from Pondicherry, so if you visit Pondicherry then, Auroville is the place where you can go for meditation, and live a completely different life in the town. in Auroville, there are many things to see in the town and, you can attend many seminars and, workshops.
Pondicherry seaside promenade along the rocky beach which is a very renowned part of the city. In the evening, citizens and tourists walk on the promenade and hang out on the bench and sit out on the sea face wall. on a little walk, There are a market, shops and lighthouse along the promenade where you can do shopping. There many people selling street food along the promenade, so if you wish to enjoy street food then, just pack it and take it to bench or sea face wall, sit down and enjoy view and food.
Sri Aurbindo Ashram is also the main attraction for many Indian and, foreign tourists, the Ashram was founded by Sri Aurbindo and, it developed under the guidance of a mother. The ashram looks like a traditional house of south India. The Ashram consists of Courtyard and, built area. The Samadhi (Shrine) of Sri Aurobindo is in the courtyard where believers and, devotes do pray or meditation. The courtyard area is a quiet zone where you can not talk or chat with another person. Some part of the structure has a reading area and, exhibition-related with mother and Sri Aurobindo. The Ashram is open for everyone and there are no entry fees for it.
Pondicherry has many sandy beaches, one of the famous beach in Pondicherry is Paradise beach where you can enjoy your day and relax on the golden sand beach. Scuba diving is also an adventure activity which you can perform in deep water, but you need to find the best company for it.
Some old temples are enormous beautiful in Pondicherry, so if you have spiritual sight in you then you can visit these colourful and carved temples.
01. Sri Aurobindo Ashram
02. Manakula Vinayagar Temple
03. Light House
04. Craft Bazaar
05. Walk on the seaside Promenade
