From the Beaches of Pondicherry to the Serenity of Auroville: A Journey of a Lifetime.
Embark on a journey of a lifetime to the charming city of Pondicherry and the spiritual community of Auroville. Discover the unique blend of French colonial architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture. From tranquil beaches to meditation retreats, this travel journal will guide you through the spiritual essence of these two destinations.
I recently had the opportunity to travel to Pondicherry and Auroville, and it was an amazing experience. Pondicherry is a beautiful coastal town with a rich history and a unique mix of Indian and French cultures. On the other hand, Auroville is an experimental township founded in the 1960s to promote human unity and sustainable living.
I flew from Mumbai to Chennai and, after a 3-hour drive, reached Pondicherry by late afternoon. My choice of stay was this heritage house in a white town called La Cedille. The highlight of this colonial heritage house was its proximity to the Promenade and most of the must see things just within a walkable distance. I immediately fell in love with the town's colonial architecture and charming streets.
The full moon night at the Promenade in Pondicherry was a magical experience I will always cherish. As the sun began to set, the sky turned into a beautiful shade of pink and orange, and the cool breeze was welcoming ( the afternoon was sweltering even in Feb), the sound of waves crashing against the shore.
As the full moon rose high in the sky and darkness, fell, casting a soft glow over the beach and the town, something magical about this place compelled me to sit on the bench facing the sea and soak in the vibe of this place, almost in a meditative state.
The next day, I headed by auto rickshaw to Auroville, about 40 mins from white town. Auroville is a unique community dedicated to promoting human unity and sustainable living. The township is home to people from all over the world who live and work together to create a better future for humanity. As I entered the Auroville township/village, I could feel the vibe of this place. Auto drops you outside at the entrance of the visitor centre gate. From this gate to the visitor centre is about a 3min beautiful walk in the nature. Once you go through a video and a gallery that features the purpose of this place, the next is the walk up to the Matrimandir site. Even in the scorching heat, the highlight of this place remains the 1-km natures trail to see the Auroville Dome- Matrimandir. Matrimandir is a spherical structure with a diameter of 36 meters, surrounded by twelve gardens that symbolise the mother's twelve powers. It serves as a meditation space and a symbol of the spiritual significance of Auroville; hence it's not open to tourists. Later, I did the Sound Garden, which was again unique and entertaining.
Visitors interested are required to pre-register to visit Matrimandir and Inner Chamber. This policy aims to maintain the sanctity of the meditation space and ensure that the visitors who enter the Matrimandir are genuinely interested in the spiritual aspect of the area.
The registration process is a simple online form that seeks basic information and your contact details. In a few hours, I got the confirmation email about my approved and scheduled visit for the next day.
The next day was an early morning travel as the visitor centre's reporting time was 8.15 hours. After a short video, we were given the access card of a Color with a number on it. Each Color forms a batch of groups and gets transported to the Matrimandir site. Before we proceed any further, we have to deposit all our belongings in the locker room available. That is the best thing, as I hand over all forms of distraction. Once we reach the site, the volunteer explains the Matrimandir and Inner chamber and what to expect. Inside the Matrimandir, our first stop is the Lotus pond. It is below the inner chamber and is meant to represent the seat of the soul. The lotus is a symbolic flower representing spiritual enlightenment and purity, and its presence in the pond adds to the spiritual atmosphere of the Matrimandir. We were allowed to sit and meditate here for 10 minutes.
After that, we headed inside through one of the doors and on the first level, we were to put white socks over our feet before we headed to Inner Chamber. The central chamber inside the Matrimandir is called the Inner Chamber. It is a large, white, spherical space intended to be a space for concentration and meditation. The Inner Chamber is accessed by a spiral ramp that leads up to it from the ground level.
At the centre of the Inner Chamber is a crystal globe, which is around 70 cm in diameter and is made of optically transparent glass. The crystal globe is meant to represent the "Divine Consciousness" and serves as a reminder of the spiritual nature of the Matrimandir. The globe serves as a focal point for meditation, and it is positioned in such a way that it captures the sunlight that enters through an opening at the top of the dome. The sunlight is reflected and dispersed throughout the Inner Chamber, creating a unique and peaceful atmosphere for meditation.
We meditated here for about 15 minutes; this is not a guided meditation room and an absolute silent zone. At the end of 15- minutes, a light flashes, indicating that the 15-min time is over and you have to exit the place quietly.
If I have to describe this experience, it is worth doing it. It's about the absolute quietness that helps you take this Inner journey which we so often miss out on because of the noises outside and within.
Later, I spent my time around the cafes and the shops, and it was now time for me to experience the Sound Bath in a group (My very first of its experience). A sound bath meditation involves listening to different sounds and vibrations, usually created by singing bowls, gongs, and other instruments. My experience with the sound bath in Auroville was unique and deeply relaxing.
The sound bath took place in a beautiful spacious hall in a quiet location surrounded by trees and gardens. I lay down on the floor, closed my eyes, and listened as the facilitator began to play the singing bowls.
The sound of the bowls was like nothing I had ever heard before. Each note reverberated through my body, creating deep relaxation and peace. The sound bath lasted for around an hour, and I drifted in and out of consciousness as the sound waves washed over me.
The sound was sometimes soft and gentle, like a gentle breeze blowing through the trees. At other times, it was intense and powerful, like a wave crashing against the shore. Throughout the experience, I felt completely immersed in the sound, as if I were part of a larger cosmic vibration.
After the sound bath, I felt incredibly relaxed and centred. My mind felt clear, and my body felt light and rejuvenated.
Both experiences were genuinely unique and powerful. They left me feeling deeply grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a beautiful and transformative practice.
Now when I have returned to the daily hustle and bustle of life, I indulge in getting into the quiet zone and checking -in with my Inner self daily. My daily meditation includes a sound bath which is so relaxing and therapeutic.
