My visit to the Spiritual Arvind Ashram at Pondicherry in the State of Tamilnadu, India

There are many places in India that need to be visited due to its primary importance, in spite of their being a small town. Pondichery is one such small town, located near Chennai in South India. It is situated around 40 miles in North of Chennai city. Many visitors, most of them foreigners visit this small town to see and experience a divine and spiritual peace at famous Arvind Ashram here.

Pondichery is the Railway station on Mumbai-Pondichery line. The famous Maharshi Arvind Ashram is situated around 3 miles away from this station. As soon as you enter the Ashram, the office block comes in first. On contacting this office, the visitors are provided the residential accommodation in the Ashram guest house. As the guest house is situated at the sea beach, the tourists find it very pleasant and enjoying. The open and roaring Arabian Sea is just in front of you welcoming you towards him in its full glory. The Ashram management is run by one French lady, named Mrs. Paul Richahar, who was the first to come here and stay at this Ashram with Maharshi Arvind. She is popularly known as the mother in the Ashram complex. Around 1800 people stay here at this Ashram on Permanent basis from all over the world. Out of these 1800 people, 800 persons are on the official pay role of the Ashram. They work in the Ashram in various services that are provided to all the visitors. The people come here and stay for quite long time here to study the secrets of life as explained by Late Maharshi Arvind. Many types of social services are provided here at the Ashram like orphanage, old person's home, and the schools and the colleges for the students to study the Yoga and its importance in present human life. The regular classes are held here on various philosophical subjects. The lectures are given by the veterans in the field of Yoga and philosophy. Each and every person staying here has to dine in the canteen of the Ashram only. The most nutritious and totally vegetarian food items are served to one and all. The canteen management is so nicely arranged that there are absolutely no problems at all and there is a total pin drop silence in the dining hall in spite of around 1200 people taking their meals simultaneously.

There is a grave of Maharshi Arvind Ghosh here at the Ashram. The daily morning and evening prayers are held here at the Ashram. All the residents remain present in these prayers. There are many types of colored flowers decorated on this grave. There is a residence block of Maharshi just opposite to this grave, which can be visited by all the visitors. There is a very large library here that is having around 30000 books on all the subjects in total 17 languages, which are available for reference to all the visitors. The persons from all fields of the society come here to stay and give their service to the poor and needy people of this region. The tourists can visit Chidambaram, which is around 25 miles away from Pondichery. Chidambaram is a famous place of pilgrimage, having the large and ancient temple of Lord Shiva. This temple is built of stone and is having 1200 pillars to support the most artistic roof of the temple. There are also Ganesh and Vishnu temples here, which are also very impressive and worth visiting.

If you want to stay in peace without any hassles and city life tensions in the most clean, pure and spiritual environment, you must visit this Ashram and stay here at least for a week.