Sri Aurobindo Ashram

The Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry's French Quarter is home to the Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. This guide lists the official visiting hours and how passes work.

The Sri Aurobindo Ashram was established in 1926 in Pondicherry by Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Alfassa, known as the Mother, and sits in the eastern part of the former French Quarter. Wikipedia describes it as a public charitable trust run by a five-member board, with around 1,200 residents and its own school, press and guest houses. For most visitors the focus is the Samadhi, a white-marble shrine in the main Ashram building that holds the remains of both founders.

According to the Ashram's own FAQ, the main building is open to all from 8:00 to 11:30 am and from 2:00 to 6:00 pm; outside those hours a pass is required, available through the Bureau Central. The Ashram describes its approach as Integral Yoga, with no obligatory outer practices, rituals or compulsory meditations. The Samadhi is a quiet place where people sit in silence, so the visit is usually short.

The sources used here do not state an entry fee, photography policy or dress code, so check on arrival or at the Information Center. The Ashram is within walking distance of Promenade Beach, the Manakula Vinayagar Temple and the Pondicherry Museum.