Sri Aurobindo Ashram Pondicherry (Pondicherry) FAQs In 2024

10 FAQS on Sri Aurobindo Ashram Pondicherry

What is Sri Aurobindo Ashram?

Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a spiritual community (ashram) located in Pondicherry, India. Founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and a French woman known as The Mother, it has become a center of yoga and inner development, attracting seekers from around the world.

The main focus of the ashram is on the practice of Integral Yoga, a path of personal growth that aims to transform human life into a divine life. The teachings emphasize the evolution of human consciousness and the attainment of spiritual enlightenment.

Yes, visitors can apply to stay at Sri Aurobindo Ashram, but accommodation is subject to availability and approval by the ashram authorities. It is advised to plan your stay well in advance and follow the ashram’s guidelines for visitors.

There are no entry fees to visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It is open to all for mediation and visiting the Samadhi (the resting place) of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.

The ashram is usually open to visitors from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. These timings can change during special occasions or festivals, so it’s advisable to check with the Ashram before planning your visit.

Photography inside the ashram is usually restricted, particularly in the meditation areas and near the Samadhi. Visitors are expected to maintain the sanctity of the space by adhering to the ashram's guidelines and respecting its ambiance of quietude and concentration.

Other attractions near Sri Aurobindo Ashram include the Pondicherry Museum, the French Quarter with its colonial architecture, the Promenade Beach, the Auroville international township, and various temples and churches representative of the town’s cosmopolitan cultural heritage.

Visitors are expected to dress modestly while visiting the ashram. It is best to avoid shorts, sleeveless tops, and other revealing clothing out of respect for the ashram's spiritual ambiance and practices.

Yes, there is a bookstore inside the ashram where visitors can purchase books on spirituality, Integral Yoga, and the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, along with incense, souvenirs, and other items related to spiritual practice.

Tourists can reach Sri Aurobindo Ashram by flying to Chennai and then taking a taxi or bus to Pondicherry, which is about 150 kilometers away. Alternatively, there is also a train service to Pondicherry from several major cities.