Just a beam of sunlight concentrated on a crystal

Then it was off to the Aurobindo Park Guest House. This is an amazing place to stay in…with dirt cheap rates and first-rate accommodation. A spanking clean, airy non-AC room for a 100 bucks a day (2 persons ka sharing). That’s it. Go on…rub your eyes real well. There’s no (artificially fawning - tip cadging) room service/telephone/intercom stuff…but out there, you really don’t need it. Situated at the end of the ‘sea-face’ (very reminiscent of the one at Worli), it is THE place to stay in. Slightly strict about timings – there is a 10.30 p.m. curfew. Considering that we crashed at 9.45 p.m., the time limit is not as draconian as it seems. Also, smoking, drinking and drugs - not allowed in the rooms. Lots of other options available, averaging from 200-500 bucks/day. Finding acco can be a slight pain on weekends.

Lotsa places near the bus stand, but staying in the French part is a lot more fun. It was then time to take in the sights. One side of Pondicherry (near the bus stand and main market) is STRAIGHT out of Tamil Nadu. The crowds, the bustle, the noise, the markets. Cross one small road, and then the French Quarter begins. A totally different world – the bright yellow buildings, the sparse population, the sudden peace and quiet.

We then went to the Aurobindo Samadhi. A wonderful, peaceful place, with a lot of fragrant flowers all around. The silence was divine here, broken only momentarily by some kid’s utterings - immediately shushed by their embarrassed parents.

The next morning dawned cloudy and gray. We went first up to Auroville, which is around 8 kms from the Guest house.Visited the Matrimandir temple (I LOVED the basic funda of the place – no religion, no idols, no rituals, just a beam of sunlight concentrated on a crystal. Meditate and find your own answers within your own selves. The temple is still under construction), and the museum. A must pick-up from the boutiques here are the hand-crafted, non-toxic incense sticks, which are really cool, with fragrances ranging from Lotus, to Opium, and Coffee. Very good gift ideas. C’est vrai. Cent pour cent de vrai. posted by Tapan Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 10:21 PM Dirtscapes