Matrimandir

• Matrimandir: The main attraction of Auroville is Matrimandir, located in the middle of this experimental township. Mirra Alfassa, the Mother, conceived Matrimandir as ‘a symbol of the Divine's answer to man's aspiration for perfection’. This iconic golden dome is called ‘soul of the city’ and is situated in a large open space called ’Peace’. Matrimandir is used for the practice of meditation and integral yoga. Silence is maintained inside Matrimandir to ensure the tranquility of the space.

The Matrimandir (Sanskrit for Temple of The Mother) is an edifice of spiritual significance for practitioners of Integral yoga, situated at the centre of Auroville initiated by The Mother of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Inside a central dome is a meditation hall. For your information, it is not a ‘tourist’ site. It is a place for individual meditation. Prior booking is required to access the Matrimandir for concentration at least a day in advance. Also a shaded 10-12 minute walk leads from the Visitors' Center to the Viewing Point. A free electric shuttle service is available for those who may find it difficult to walk the approx. 1 km distance each way. To see Matrimandir from the outside there is a raised garden area which offers visitors a beautiful view of the Matrimandir and its surroundings.This was our last destination in Pondicherry and by 6 pm we bid our adieu to this beautiful place and headed back to home thorugh the same route we came. A nice trip will remain a nice one, and nothing can spoil the charm of the moments spent there. That's the beauty of travel. Also "Don’t listen and read to what I'm saying. Just Go see it".Motto : "Work, Travel, Save, Repeat"

The large golden sphere that appears almost extra-terrestrial is the 'soul of Auroville'. Twelve themed gardens surround Matrimandir with their own variety of flowers, shrubs and trees. Inside, minimalist white chambers emit a radiant energy that inspires visitors to look within via meditation. Matrimandir is not a 'tourist' site and strict rules have to be followed by visitors.How to get Matrimandir PassesMatrimandir passes cannot be obtained online or on the phone. The free passes can only be acquired in person at the Visitors Centre. For more info please check Matrimandir official website. The passes have to be obtained a couple of days before the actual visit. Thus, plan your Auroville visit accordingly.When to goNovember to March is the best time to go to Tamil Nadu with temperatures 20 to 30 Celsius and low humidity. During these months you get to see migratory birds as well.Where to stayThe Lost HostelNavanna ResidencyFor more options, check here.Have you travelled to Tamil Nadu? Would you like to backpack there after reading this article? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comment section below, or write your own travelogue to share with the world. And subscribe to Tripoto Youtube Channel for stunning videos

2. Tour of Matrimandir, Auroville:No visual of Auroville is complete without the iconic golden globe. Matrimandir is an architectural and scientific marvel and the volunteers at Auroville only enhance its aura when they tell you about it.

Around 11 o'clock after having heavy breakfast,we decided to go to auroville (A small town in Pondicherry) There we visited matrimandir, where you will find amazing peace and relaxation. From entrance till matrimandir it is around 1.5 km , so It is advisable to take water bottle with you as in between there is no water source.

We left the library in half an hour not that we want to but it was lunch time. We left the library without any clue or idea regarding where we have to go next, so we decided to explore the city and began with the most common but one of the most beautifully designed place The Visitor’s Centre. After a few twists and turns we reached our destination, a place that will welcome you with a tree beautifully decorated with a wind chime almost the size of a fully grown human and colorful lamps made out of used glass bottles. The visitor’s center might be a little crowded the aura of calmness and peace and not to forget the shops and cafes will never let you get bored of that place. So after reaching there and exploring the area a little, we went ahead for a quick tour of Matrimandir a big ball shape golden building with a large garden area around it where you can sit and enjoy the weather if it allows you to, but as they say names and faces can be deceiving and so was this place, it was not a temple with an idol in it for worshiping but it was definitely a place where you can think of everything that you like, it was a big hall with places to meditate where you can meditate for 10 minutes if you are a tourist and an hour or so if you are a permanent resident of Auroville, a place worth going.

Next morning, we woke up at 5:45 am to see the sun rise. Yes, it was difficult but living on the other side of the country, my friend wanted to see the sunrise from above the waters which she never had the privilege to see. To our misfortune though, the sky was cloud cast. Nevertheless, the day started early for us and the visit to Matri Mandir was enough to keep us hopeful.

Last destination of the trip was Matrimandir in Auroville. It was 14 kms away from paradise beach.

As, there is a pre-booking required to visit the Matrimandir (Meditation Centre), we could not go beyond the viewing point. On our way back, we visited one of the eating joints present in the Auroville area and met with a unique guest.

Outside view of Matrimandir, the meditation Centre

Its a meditation center in the heart of the Auroville, the creation of the Mother. You can get free pass to see it from the Viewing point but to get inside you have to do a prior booking 1 day before.

Matri Mandir - Mandir in Hindi refers to a place of worship. Matri Mandir is a spiritual place in auroville. People here come to experience the silence within themselves, thronging for peace. Here, we can see a lot of people walking between the woods with utmost silence. It also has a golden ball structure where people meditate and practice self consciousness. The pathway to golden ball is very adventurous. It also has a complex where museums display historical colonical belongings.

A symbol of the Divine's answer to man's aspiration for perfection.

Serene place. Must visit. A new way of life

This place is surreal and the interiors are spectacular! Perfect for the soul searcher, happy wanderer.

Place for meditation and integral yoga; out of the world experience.

Pondicherry is now most famous as a site of spiritual pilgrimage. The ashram, founded in 1926, grew up around the yogi Sri Aurobindo and his French counterpart, Mirra Richard, known to her followers as the Mother. The Matrimandir is an edifice of spirituality and a symbol of The Mother's vision of uniting humanity. Auroville is truly a testament to the success 'Mother' achieved at establishing an alternative way of life.

This is the meditation chamber of Auroville, a place of peace and sanctity. We didn't get to go inside, but seeing it from the outside is just as spectacular.