Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
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- Gana59 contributionsplace for peacefulnessIt is a good place to visit and it will also not take much time. 10-15 mins is enough to visit this place. Best place if you want to do meditation. Phones much be switched off and no talking inside the building.Visited September 2023Traveled with familyWritten October 8, 2023
- Julian PMelbourne, Australia10 contributionsnot much more than a little bookshop and some sanctimonyI was expecting a little more than a bookshop and a samadhi space, which was Aurobindo's tomb apparently. Lots of sanctimonius westerners meditating around the tomb. I was expecting some photos of Aurobindo, a little museum or something, or an insight into the history of the ashram and Aurobindo's project (I've read some of his writings too)Visited November 2023Traveled soloWritten November 6, 2023
- Film GNew England1,051 contributions"Must Do' in PondicherryVery clean, and a bit serene (though you get a commercial vibe very quickly) the history of the place and its founders are really the draw. Big gift shop. Very nicely restored French colonial buildings. Only a small bit of the ashram is open to the public.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 5, 2024
- k bGurugram (Gurgaon), India176 contributionsOnly visit if you happen to pass byGood place but seems overhyped. cafes were good but too busy to serve properly. We went to the main spot by walk which was a bad decision. Take the free bus or cab or cycle to the main attraction. Overall, we did not find it to be as good as the hype.Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten September 18, 2024
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Popular mentions
4.0
723 reviews
Excellent
305
Very good
251
Average
109
Poor
34
Terrible
24
Thecatsmum4
Kettering, UK2,617 contributions
Dec 2019
Our local guide insisted on taking us inside this place and all we saw were gloomy faces and people sitting cross legged in silence on the floor. Obviously if you were a follower you may find this peaceful and wonderful but it wasn't for us. No photos allowed inside.
We understand they do much good work around the city so that is to be commended. Our guide tried to entice us to visit Auroville but when I looked into it the journey is 15 KM and you cannot access the building, so unless you are part of what is going on there not really worth the time and effort.
We understand they do much good work around the city so that is to be commended. Our guide tried to entice us to visit Auroville but when I looked into it the journey is 15 KM and you cannot access the building, so unless you are part of what is going on there not really worth the time and effort.
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shraddha Bhowad
Bengaluru, India113 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
While sitting inside Aurobindo Ashram, I thought of Baker's 'Immortality project'. How a mortal man can have a place close to shrine, to make his memory live on. How others do it for him. This place is beautiful, serene, but oddly conflicting in many ways.
I get that the people keeping and running this place want to keep the sacredness and privacy, but the real picture was oddly contrasting. Humbleness was almost absent in this place. Volunteers almost resembled to the shrine keepers at Siddhivinayak temple. Rushing people along. I simply don't get it. You want people to know who you are, who Arvind Ghosh was, what his philosophy is; but, you deny people from taking their own association, their memories with this place, may it be in any form - photo, a video, a commentary. How will people remember you if you deny them memories? How will the word pass on?
Anyway... I am against selfie-maniacs too, but I would have loved to take a photo of their well kept, lndscaped garden and the unique architecture of the main building.
The road where place is, is beautiful. Lined up with Gulchhadi trees and decorated with carpet of white, fragrant flowers. To be here, is a bliss. About the Ashram though, I have mixed feelings. I am sure half of the people visiting this place were there, just because this place is 'must visit' place in Pondicherry, and not because of Aurobindo Society's ideology, which is a pity!
No photos. No surprise there. 😊
I get that the people keeping and running this place want to keep the sacredness and privacy, but the real picture was oddly contrasting. Humbleness was almost absent in this place. Volunteers almost resembled to the shrine keepers at Siddhivinayak temple. Rushing people along. I simply don't get it. You want people to know who you are, who Arvind Ghosh was, what his philosophy is; but, you deny people from taking their own association, their memories with this place, may it be in any form - photo, a video, a commentary. How will people remember you if you deny them memories? How will the word pass on?
Anyway... I am against selfie-maniacs too, but I would have loved to take a photo of their well kept, lndscaped garden and the unique architecture of the main building.
The road where place is, is beautiful. Lined up with Gulchhadi trees and decorated with carpet of white, fragrant flowers. To be here, is a bliss. About the Ashram though, I have mixed feelings. I am sure half of the people visiting this place were there, just because this place is 'must visit' place in Pondicherry, and not because of Aurobindo Society's ideology, which is a pity!
No photos. No surprise there. 😊
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Udoyan Dasgupta
7 contributions
Jan 2020
The Aurobindo Ashram is a place to revive, redeem and recreate. The ashramites at the door may be a bit rude, but the overall atmosphere is happy. All workshops are efficient and produce beautiful things. The longer you spend here the better it is. All sorts of groups can visit this place but a solo visit will allow more exploration. If one wonders why I have given it a five stars, just visit the place and you will know.
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kovai Ponna
Chennai (Madras), India16 contributions
Jan 2021
I do not understand what to see in this place as a tourist. There is a grave of Shri Aurobindo. You walk silently to there and get out. There is no body to tell you about the place or explain why there is a strict adherence of silence? What is this ashram is all about?
People over there are very rude in nature and they do not respect the visitors. Others may have different experience but we were treated like prisoners.
When I tried to talk to a person at the entrance about the place, he said we are some group of people maintain this ashram and we conduct meditation. More than this He did not want to be asked about anything. All his attitude was, " You came, You saw it, Now you go". But he was very much particular is advising me to visit the book and souvenir shop close to this ashram.
Fully disappointed.
People over there are very rude in nature and they do not respect the visitors. Others may have different experience but we were treated like prisoners.
When I tried to talk to a person at the entrance about the place, he said we are some group of people maintain this ashram and we conduct meditation. More than this He did not want to be asked about anything. All his attitude was, " You came, You saw it, Now you go". But he was very much particular is advising me to visit the book and souvenir shop close to this ashram.
Fully disappointed.
Written January 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FreeIndianBird
New Delhi, India136 contributions
Feb 2020
Should see this place you will find peace and silence actually it is samadhi of Aurobindo . Mostly old people come here for to meditate. It is in white town/french colony and inside you are allowed to speak. Liked the plants of different types like have seen cactus plants of different types, flowers etc. You can explore pondi by walk or by scooty/bike both are feasible.
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Troy M
Brookline29 contributions
Apr 2023
The Ashram is a place for quiet reflection with the enormous "Service Tree" providing shade over the white marble Samadhi (tomb) of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. The top of the tomb is adorned with decoratively arranged flower petals, and there are also many plants and fragrant flowers in bloom around the tomb. When planning your visit, please remember mobile phones MUST be turned off, there no photos are allowed, shoes cannot be worn inside, and you must remain silent. It is a truly peaceful and tranquil place, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of Pondicherry located just outside the Ashram's walls.
Written April 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Narendran Dama
Tirupati, India52 contributions
Jun 2022
The Sri Aurobindo Ashram is one of the most famous and wealthy ashrams in India. The Ashram is within walking distance of Manakula Vinayagar Temple and Rock Beach. Through permanent exhibits of photographs, captions, tests, videos, and books, the center also provides an introduction to Sri Aurobindo's vision and The Mother's spiritual practice. Only a small portion of the premises is accessible to visitors. The environment is extremely calm and serene. Inside the building, you are not allowed to use your phone or speak. Outside the ashram, your shoes and chappals must be removed and placed on racks opposite the ashram. Cleanliness and order are maintained in the ashram by volunteers and associates. It is worth going, but there is not a lot to do or see.
Written July 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SouroviThakur
Kolkata (Calcutta), India95 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
It's very peaceful inside.Pin drop silence inside. People are meditating all over. Children are not allow inside the ashram. They have a room full of pictures of Sri Arabindo and Mother, which is awesome. No photography inside.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
O.R. Melling
30 contributions
Jan 2020
A seeker's place, not for tourists looking for excitement or something to photograph (no phones or cameras allowed, thank the gods). Whenever I do visualisations for meditation this is where I go. What a joy to actually return after 23 years! The tombs of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo covered in fresh flowers and the great tree leaning over both ... In the evening, they hand out incense and the air is fragrant. People move quietly to rest their arms and head on the cool marble and after, sit in silence in the courtyard to absorb the atmosphere.
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dr_tanvi
Ahmedabad District, India143 contributions
May 2022
As we had kids we couldn't spare much time here with fear of they can create disturbance here..But to our pleasant surprise they got calm after entering this place..My 3 year old younger one bowed to samadhi of Shri Aurobindo without any instruction from us and all 3 kids kept quiet while visiting samadhi and book shop too... They themselves picked few books to read..and I left this place with determination of coming again
Written May 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have never stayed in the Ashram, I go there to enjoy meditation.there are good hotels nearby.However the Aurobindo society has chargeable guest house facilities available namely seaside guest house,the retreat,international guest house.they all are located wry close to the ashram and beach.i don’t think they have online booking facilities.You will have to go there and check the availability.ashramites are very helpful.have a nice trip.
Written December 22, 2018
Anil C
Mumbai, India
Is it will be ok to visit Puducherry during the month of October
Written August 2, 2018
Yes good season to go. Actually the best time is November, December and Jan
Written March 26, 2019
Can you plz provide the schedule of programs on 15th aug 2018.i need to plan my visit to ashram
Written July 7, 2018
Contact ashram or your operator for accurate programme
Written July 8, 2018
What are timings of visit to ashram..? and how much time should I plan to spend here..?
Written March 28, 2018
Hi, so sorry, I have been on holiday not much WIFI, didnt check this. You can visit in the early morning around 8am, they close in the middle of the day, not sure what time, only for 1-2 hours, then open again until around 8pm
Written April 10, 2018
is there a place to stay inside the ashram
Written February 10, 2018
yes.You need to book in advance. High rush.Do you need no
Written February 10, 2018
anushachoudharyy
Chennai (Madras), India
Hello sir I heard there is a treatment for the people who had an eye sight...is it real..if it is can you please provide me full details about that...thank you
Written September 21, 2017
by the sea side close to the park corner of the big hotel there's an eye clinic that apparently trains your eyes with exercises to strengthen your eye sight.
Written November 19, 2017
do we need any booking to visit there?
Written September 16, 2017
Myself Dhansukhlal luhar want to stay at Ashram and stay three days and performing Shadhna and visiting completely Ashram.How much boarding and lodging cost
Written July 2, 2017
Hi Dhansukhlal,
Their are various rooms available by Aurbindo ashram whose costs vary from 500 to ~2000/-, at various locations across pondicherry, few guest house also allow you to book in advance either online or through phone booking. You can contact the phone numbers and prebook in advance.
Written July 4, 2017
françoise k
Paris, France
Bonjour
Je serai à Chennai le 11 janvier 2017. Des amis m'ont parlé que les services de l'ashram de Pondichéry pouvait venir nous cherchez à l'aéroport. Est ce exact ,
Si oui, je souhaite resté une quinzaine de jours dans l'ashram
merci de me faire connaitre le meilleur tarif rapidement
Françoise
Written July 7, 2016
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