Wednesday January 20 Pondy: Trip to Auroville Matrimandir: the inside!!

Up early for 7:30 AM breakfast. Ready to leave at 8AM for Matrimandir. The taxi was late but I got there at 8:45 AM for a video in the Visitor Centre, which was a requisite if you wanted to meditate in the Matrimandir. We got onto a bus which took us to the entrance point. We walked from there in a group, after turning off cell phone handing in bags etc. No talking allowed. We were given a short talk by an Indian man and then escorted in silence through the well kept lawns, with flowers and in between the huge red stone petals. After removing our shoes, we entered via a door in a petal, and I noticed meditation rooms with soft light. Then we descended to the area below the huge golden orb of the Matrimandir. The Matrimandir is covered with golden discs that are fixed all over it. We sat in a huge circle , under the Matrimandir, in the open air, around a large white circular marbled series of petals, descending to a central glass orb in the middle of this circle. Water was gently flowing over these petals, and pouring down into the centre. Everyone was in lotus, meditating. Only 10 minutes or less, and we went up, this time into the golden orb itself. It is like the cosmos, more sci fi in conception, very soft lights, and the inside is pink lit, with interlocking triangles. I saw a narrow spiral carpeted staircase encircling the outer part of the orb. Then we came into an inner darker area to sit, and we were given large white socks to wear. ( Cleanliness is of utmost importance) Then we followed our guide. Lots of guides were directing us all the time at different points. We eventually reached the main central meditation chamber in the huge golden orb. Everything in white marble. The light was very soft. Air was cooled with AC, and there was a crystal orb in the centre radiating light into the chamber. Very soft white light. There were probably 12 lovely white marble columns going right up to the top. We all sat in a circle around the central area in silence of course. I think we had 12 minutes there. The lights flashed on and off to signal exit, and we walked out behind our guide, taking off socks, and leaving the same way, getting our shoes. We were led to the famous Banyan Tree, which is right next to the Matrimandir, and the tree is the geographical centre of Auroville. The tree is a gorgeous Banyan. People were going up, touching the tree, praying or meditating. Then people sat all around the tree on seats or on the grassy area. No pics were allowed so I can't show you this lovely tree. Then we were led back to the departure point, got bags and phone camera, and returned by bus to the visitor centre. I had coffee and snacks, which were lovely there. Then I popped into the visitor centre and got a pamphlet which does have pics of the inside of the Matrimandir ( the Mother's vision for the supra mental conscious evolution ). I can show you these, and a good booklet on Auroville if anyone else wants to make a pilgrimage to this amazing place. The Samahi, or marble tomb of Sri Aurobindo ( he is at the bottom ) and the mother ( she is on top ) is in Pondy, and close to the Sea Side Guest House, which is a Sri Aurobindo Guest House. The tomb is covered with gorgeous flowers daily, and I go there when I can to centre myself.

I feel very calm today, from the experience inside the Matrimandir, and booked to go back there next week by taxi again. Booking is important. Afterwards I restarted my own yoga program in my room.

 Approaching the Matrimandir

 In the gardens

 Humidity is great for flowers, not so good for me

 Below: close up of Matrimandir, showing the red stone petals, and covered with golden orbs

 Below: the Banyan. I could not get close enough to show you the beauty of this magnificent tree.

 Below: the palm tree....went very high, showing lower cut branches of trunk

 Enjoy! Beauty in leafless shrub below.