Where is Sri Aurobindo Ashram located?
The Ashram is located right next to the bay of Bengal in the eastern part of Pondicherry, a small city and a union territory of modern India. Pondicherry was a French colony before India regained its political freedom in 1947. It is located 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Madras, the capital of Tamil Nadu state and a major city in the southern India. To get a better idea of the geographic location of the Ashram, take a look at the following maps.
Pondicherry map - Over View and Around Ashram Main building
How do I travel to Pondicherry?
You can travel to Chennai (formerly Madras) by one of the several international or domestic airlines operating to the city. If your first destination in India is elsewhere, you may continue to Chennai by a domestic flight or by train. For those traveling from nearby regions, bus services to Chennai are also available.
If you arrive in Chennai late at night, it is advisable to stay at a hotel overnight and resume your journey the following morning.
From Chennai, Pondicherry can be reached by taxi from either the airport or the railway station. Regular bus services also operate from various locations in the city, including services run by the Tiruvalluvar Transport Corporation (TTC).
Traveling by bus is the most economical option between Chennai and Pondicherry, costing less than one U.S. dollar. However, it may be less comfortable and inconvenient if you are carrying a large amount of luggage. Taxis, while more expensive, offer greater comfort and convenience.
How do I move about in Pondicherry?
If you stay close to the Ashram, you can manage by walking. If you are far off, you may need a bicycle or a moped. Some guest houses rent bicycles, mopeds and scooters. These also can be rented in the town.
When is a good time to visit the Ashram?
India is a tropical country and can be very hot for a westerner even in the winter time. Although there are places in India ranging from moderate to cool climates, most of India, particularly the southern India and our destination "Pondicherry" can be considered to be very hot for a typical westerner. Given that, the best time to make a trip to Pondicherry for a westerner would be the winter, any time between November and February.
Also the period between November and March is the most eventful and the busiest time in the Ashram as 90% of the important days for the Ashram fall in this period.
The other busy period is in August, because of Sri Aurobindo's birthday on the 15th of August.
If you are not concerned about the climate and prefer to avoid the crowds, then a good time for you to visit the Ashram can be March - July or September - October.
If you want to see Mother's room, you have no choice but to go on Nov 17 or Feb 21. If you want to see Sri Aurobindo's room, you can go on any of the Darshan days or on your birthday. The April 24th, day of Mother's final return to Pondicherry is considered to be the least crowded Darshan day.
What passes do I need in the Ashram?
When you are admitted into a guest house they normally give you the Ashram pass needed for attending Ashram activities like collective meditation at the play ground, etc. The other thing you need is the dining room pass. Guest house managers issue daily or weekly passes. If you could not get space in a guest house and had to stay in a hotel, the Bureau central Office can help you with both the Ashram pass and the dining room passes.
Q: Is there any djfference between the Mother's presence and the Divine Consciousness ?
A: One can feel the Divine Consciousness impersonally as a consciousness only.
The Mother's Presence is something more ?
one feels herself there present within or
above or enveloping one or all these together.