The Sri Aurobindo Ashram is the spiritual heart of Pondicherry and the reason many people first came to the town. Its main building, a plain grey-and-white colonial house on Rue de la Marine at the northern edge of White Town, holds the Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother: a white marble shrine in a shaded courtyard, covered every day with fresh flowers arranged in careful patterns.
A visit is short and quiet. You walk in, sit or stand at the Samadhi for as long as you wish, and walk out. There are no rituals to follow and no guides inside. What most visitors remember is the silence, a few steps from one of the busiest parts of town.
On this page
History of the ashram
Sri Aurobindo, the revolutionary and philosopher, arrived in Pondicherry, then French territory, on 4 April 1910. The ashram marks that date as its New Year. Mirra Alfassa, known as the Mother, settled here permanently in 1920, and the ashram took shape as an organised community from 24 November 1926, a day the ashram calls Siddhi Day.
Sri Aurobindo died in 1950 and the Mother in 1973; both are laid to rest in the Samadhi. No successor was appointed. Today the ashram is run by a board of trustees and has around 1,200 members, spread across many buildings in the eastern part of the town, along with its own school, the Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education. It follows Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga, which has no compulsory rituals or practices.
What you will see
- The Samadhi: the centre of the visit, under a large tree in the inner courtyard. People sit on the ground around it in silence, some touching their forehead to the marble.
- The main building: the house where Sri Aurobindo and the Mother lived. Their rooms are opened to visitors only on special occasions.
- Reading room and books: near the entrance you can see and buy the ashram’s publications.
- Ashram units around town: the ashram also runs a well-known handmade paper unit, a library, guest houses and other departments, some of which sell products to visitors.
Timings and entry
At the time of writing, the ashram’s official site lists the main building as open to all visitors from 8 AM to 11:30 AM and 2 PM to 6 PM. Entry is free. At other times, and for most ashram activities such as collective meditations, you need a pass from the ashram’s information office, the Bureau Central. Check the official visitor FAQ before you go, since hours can change on special days.
The four darshan days, when the rooms of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother are opened and thousands of devotees come, are 21 February, 24 April, 15 August and 24 November. Expect long queues on these dates.
Rules and etiquette
- Silence: talking is not allowed inside. Keep children close and quiet.
- Phones and cameras: photography is not permitted inside. Switch your phone off, not just to silent.
- Footwear: leave shoes at the counter near the entrance.
- Dress: dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees. Loose, simple clothing is ideal.
- Young children: very young children may not be allowed in; ask at the entrance if you are travelling with a toddler.
- Bags: carry as little as possible.
Best time to visit and parking
Go soon after opening in the morning, when it is cooler and quieter. Weekends and holidays bring tour groups by mid-morning. Plan 30 minutes to an hour, longer if you want to sit.
The ashram is on narrow streets with little parking. Our drivers drop guests at the corner and wait nearby. It is easy to combine the visit on foot with the Manakula Vinayagar Temple, which is around the corner.
Nearby places and tours
Within a few minutes’ walk are Promenade Beach, Bharathi Park, the Pondicherry Museum and the streets of White Town. Many visitors also see Auroville, the township inspired by the Mother’s vision, on the same trip.
The ashram is included on our Pondicherry local sightseeing day. If you are drawn to spiritual places, see our spiritual retreats ideas or combine Pondicherry with Tiruvannamalai on the Tiruvannamalai and Gingee day trip.
Frequently asked questions
What are the visiting hours of Sri Aurobindo Ashram?
At the time of writing, the main building with the Samadhi is open to visitors from 8 AM to 11:30 AM and 2 PM to 6 PM. Check the ashram’s official website before you go.
Is there an entry fee for Aurobindo Ashram?
No. Entry to the main building and the Samadhi is free.
Can I take photos inside Sri Aurobindo Ashram?
No. Photography is not allowed inside, and visitors are asked to switch off their phones and keep silent.
Do I need a pass to visit the ashram?
Not during normal visiting hours. A pass from the Bureau Central is needed to enter outside those hours or to attend ashram activities such as collective meditations.
Who is buried in the Samadhi at Aurobindo Ashram?
The Samadhi holds the bodies of Sri Aurobindo, who died in 1950, and the Mother, Mirra Alfassa, who died in 1973.
