Must Visit Places in India

Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry | How to visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry | Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry Timings

2012-11-10T21:50:00.001-08:00

If you want to have to have the INNER PEACE, and if you are planning a visit South India, then Puducherry, Sri Aurobindo Ashram will be the most important stop in your journey.

For most of the people around the world, the name Pondicherry (aka Puducherry), directly reflects on Yann Martel's "Life of Pi" novel. But one of the most important place in Puducherry, which is the major source of foreign attraction is Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

Where is Sri Aurobindo Ashram?

Country: India

State(Union Territory): Puducherry

Which Part of India?: Southern India

Reference, map is provided below, to locate Puducherry (Pondicherry) in India.It requires a 2 to 3 hours drive down south from Chennai. (150 Kms South of Chennai)

How to reach Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry?

Airways:

[Step 1] Anywhere in the world to Chennai "Anna International Airport".

[Step 2] From Airport you could either take a taxi and traveler down south to Puducherry, or can get a bus If If you have decided to travel in bus, you have 2 wonderful options becayseevery 15 mins you could get a bus from Chennai to Puducherry.

Option 1:Prefer ECR ( East Cost Road) bus, which makes you journey still more enjoyable, as you can have a beautiful sea view throughout the 3 hours travel.

i) So to get a ECR bus, you can go to Guindy, where you get buses often. Click here to see the buses which goes from Airport to Guindy. Google Map

ii) Another way to ge an ECR bus is to start from the main Chennai Bus stand, Koyambedu.For that you need to travel to Koyembedu Bus stand from airport. Click here to see the buses passe from Airport to Koyambedu.Google Map

Option 2: If you prefer to reach Puducherry, very quick rather than enjoying the sea view, you can chose byepass route. Sometimes Puucherry bye-pass buses will stop near the airport, but prefer going to Tambaram and from there you can get many buses as the frequency is very high. Click here to the see the buses from Airport to Tambaram.

[Step 3] If you chose to take a taxi, then you could directly come to Ashram. All the cab drivers will know this place. But this might cost you more bucks(+ 3000 - 4000 Rs). Rather, if you chose bus, you could end up in spending just 107 Rs. So if you are going in bus, you can get down at Puducherry bus stand. From Puducherry bus stand, you can chose Share Auto (Tempo) - {CHEAPER}, Buses (to GH), or Auto (they might ask from 80 to 100). It is around 3 Kms ( 2.7 KMs). Click here to see the Google Map.

Railways: Once you get down at Central Railway station, you need to travel less than 100 meter to Park Town local station ( cross the signal). From there you could get a ticket for Kasturibai Nagar stop ( 7/8 Rs) and take the local train which travels south. Get Down at Kasturibai Nagar stop and that place is called as "Madhya Kailash".

You could get ECR Puducherry buss for every 10 to 15 minutes. Fare will be around Rs. 95

PUDUCHERRY BUS STAND <-> AUROBINDO ASHRAM MAP

Sri Aurobindo Ashram Visiting Hours:

What activities of the Ashram can I participate in?(information Source)

Visit to the Samadhi
You can go to the samadhi for pranam and meditation any time during the day. The Ashram gate opens at 4.30 in the morning and closes at 11.00 at night. There is also a meditation hall inside the main Ashram building where you can sit.

Collective Meditations
On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday there is a collective meditation around the samadhi from 7.25 pm to 7.50 pm. This is open to everyone. No pass is required. On Thursdays and Sundays, a collective meditation is held in the Ashram Playground between 7.45 pm and 8.15 pm. This is open only to the Ashramites and the visitors staying in the Ashram guest houses who have been given Playground passes. These must be shown at the gate.

Exhibition and Video programmes at Bureau Central
The exhibition is an introduction to the life and yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother through their own writings. It also offers a glimpse into the Ashram and its activities.
Everyday, except Sundays, there is a video presentation on one of several topics. The video programmes present the life and work of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, the Ashram, flowers and their significances, etc.

Conducted Tours
Autocare Services operates two tours every week day: at 8.15 am, to see Ashram and Ashram-related departments and at 2.00 pm, to visit Auroville (Matrimandir). The Auroville trip does not wait for the meditation (5.00 pm to 6.00 pm) at the Matrimandir, since first-time visitors are not allowed.

Official Website: http://www.sriaurobindoashram.org/index.php

Phone: +91-413-2233604

Matrimandir Timings and Bookings: When to visit Matrimandir : Where is Matrimandir ? - Where is Auroville and How to reach Auroville

2011-01-25T08:02:00.000-08:00

Matrimandir Timings and Bookings: When to visit Matrimandir : Where is Matrimandir ? - Where is Auroville and How to reach Auroville: Matrimandir, famously called as a shrine of the Universal Mother and the Soul of Auroville, is located in the Aurovaille, near Puducherry,India.

Where is Auroville and How to reach Auroville?

Auroville is located just 12 Kms, North of Puducherry in the East Cost Road(ECR) towards, Chennai.

Matrimandir Timings and Bookings:

Opening hours of the Matrimandir Viewing Point:

Weekdays: 9.30 am to 1.30 pm and 2 pm to 4.30 pm
Sundays: 9.30 am to 1 pm only

Timing for issuing of Passes at the Visitors' Centre:

Weekdays: 9.30 am to 1.00 pm and 1:30 pm to 4.00 pm
Sundays: 9.30 am to 12:30 pm only

Matrimandir Concentration - Timings and Bookings

1) First time visitors to Matrimandir for concentration :

An introduction to Matrimandir is provided for all first-time visitors who book for a concentration. An explanation is given on the Matrimandir and its significance, followed by a concentration in the Inner Chamber for 10 to 15 minutes

i) You can come in person at the Visitors Centre any day between 10 and 11 am or 2 and 3 pm.
ii) You can call 0413-2622268 between 2 and 3 pm.

2) Visitors who have previously concentrated in the Matrimandir:

i) Advance booking is required for every concentration in the Inner Chamber or Petal Meditation Rooms by calling (0413) 2622204 between 10 and 11 am.

ii) An email may also be sent to mmconcentration@auroville.org.in at least 5 days in advance. Confirmation of such bookings will be by return mail with booking numbers.

Concentration time in the Inner Chamber

    * 9.30 am to 10.15 am.
    * Last entry allowed into the Inner Chamber: 9.45 am.

Concentration time in one of the Petal Meditation Rooms

    * 10.15 to 10.45 am or/and 10.45 to 11.15 am.
    * The 12 meditation rooms are not all open at the same time, but in turn, usually one or two at a time.
    * Passes are issued for only one room per visit.

Information Source: http://www.auroville.org

Andaman - King of Islands|Must Visit Places in Andaman |Tourism in Andaman

2010-03-05T16:44:00.000-08:00

Where is Andaman and Nicobar islands?

The Andaman & Nicobar islands are a group of picturesque Islands, big and small, inhabited and uninhabited, a total of 572 islands, islets and rocks lying in the South Eastern Part of the Bay of Bengal.They lie along an arc in long and narrow broken chain, approximately North-South over a distance nearly 800 kms. It is logical to presume a former land connection form Cape Negris at South part of Burma to Achin Head (Cape Pedro) in Andalas (Sumatra). The flora and fauna of these islands, however, indicate that this land connection if it existed, should have been prior to the development of their present life form.

Andaman view

Andaman Tourism

Andaman Tourism - Andaman in Olden days

Andaman Tourism - Cellular Jail

Cellular Jail, located at Port Blair, stood mute witness to the tortures meted out to the freedom fighters, who were incarcerated in this Jail. The Jail, completed in the year 1906 acquired the name, ‘cellular’ because it is entirely made up of individual cells for the solitary confinement of the prisoners. It originally was a seven pronged, puce-coloured building with central tower acting as its fulcrum and a massive structure comprising honeycomb like corridors. The building was subsequently damaged and presently three out of the seven prongs are intact. The Jail, now a place of pilgrimage for all freedom loving people, has been declared a National Memorial.

The penal settlement established in Andamans by the British after the First War of Independence in 1857 was the beginning of the agonising story of freedom fighters in the massive and awful jails at Viper Island followed by the Cellular Jail. The patriots who raised their voice against the British Raj were sent to this Jail, where many perished. Netaji Subash Chandra Bose hoisted the tri-colour flag to proclaim Independence on 30th December 1943 at a place near this Jail.

This three-storeyed prison, constructed by Britishers in 1906, is a pilgrimage destination for freedom fighters. This colossal edifice has mutely witnessed the most treacherous of inhumane atrocities borne by the convicts, who were mostly freedom fighters. Now dedicated to the nation as a National Memorial.

The saga of the heroic freedom struggle is brought alive in a moving Son-et-Lumiere, shown daily inside the jail compound at 6.00 PM (Hindi) and 7.15 PM (English). Also there is a Museum, an Art gallery, and a Photo gallery, which are open on all days except Monday from 9.00 AM to 12 Noon and 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM.

Entry fee: Rs. 5/-

Camera – photo - Rs. 10/-

video - Rs. 50/-

Light & Sound Show – Entry fee: adult Rs. 20/-, child Rs. 10/- (Above 5 & below 12yrs)

Andaman Tourism - Islands of Andaman

i) Jolly Buoy

An island in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, it offers a breath taking underwater view of coral and marine life. It is an ideal place for snorkeling , sea bathing and basking on the sun kissed beach

ii) Cinque Island

The lure of underwater coral gardens and unspoiled beaches specially a sand bar joining two islands are irresistible. Super place for SCUBA diving, swimming, fishing and Camping.

iii) Red Skin Island

Another island in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park has a nice beach and offers spectacular view of corals and marine life.

iv) Havelock Island

About 38 Kms. from Port Blair, this island provides idyllic resort in the lap of virgin beach and unpolluted environment. Camping facility is available near Radhanagar beach. A guesthouse of Tourism Department "Dolphin Resort" is available for the tourists.

v) Barren Island

At a distance of about 135 Kms. from Port Blair is the land of volcano, Barren Island, the only active volcano in India. The Island, about 3 Kms. has a big crater of the volcano, rising abruptly from the sea, about 1/2 Km. from the shore and is about 150 fathoms deep. Can be visited on board vessels.

vii) Ross Island

Once the seat of British power and capital of these Islands, it stands now as a ruin of the bygone days with the old structure almost in debris. A small museum named 'Smritika' holds photographs and the other antiques of the Britishers relevant to these islands.

vii) Viper Island

The Britishers used to harbour convicts here. The first jail was constructed here which was abandoned after the construction of Cellular Jail. It has a gallows atop a hillock, where condemned prisoners were hanged. Sher Ali, who killed Lord Mayo, the Viceroy of India in 1872, was also hanged here.

viii) Chatham Island

It has a Saw Mill lying on the tiny island connected by a bridge over a stretch of sea-water. This Saw Mill is one of the biggest and oldest in Asia. The main mainland -Island harbour is also here. The other harbour is Haddo, which is nearby.

Andaman Tourism - Mount Harriet

The summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during British Raj, this place is an ideal for a nice and fascinating over view of the outer islands and the sea. It is the highest peak in the South Andamans (365 metres high). One can trek upto Madhuban through a nature trail and can find rare endemic birds, animals and butterflies. Conducted tours to Mt. Harriet are available from Andaman Teal House.

Entry Fee: Rs. 10

Goa - The god of beach| Must visit places in Goa| Tourist places in Goa| Important places in Goa

2010-03-04T16:35:00.000-08:00

Goa - Destination number 1

Where is Goa?

Goa which is called as "the pearl of the east" is located on the western coast of Indian peninsula, separated from

Maharashtra in the north

Karnataka in the south

The Western Ghats in the east, and

the Arabian Sea in the west by the Terekhol River.

How to reach Goa?

i) Air ways

Dabolim is the main entry point for Goa situated at a distance of around 29 km from Panaji on the coast near Vasco da Gama.

Most domestic airlines operate in Goa apart from chartered private airlines operating from UK and Germany. Indian Airlines has direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai daily. Air India also flies to Goa.

ii) Railways

It is not difficult to reach Goa by trains, especially after opening of the Konakan Railway that connects Margao and Vasco da Gama to major cities in India. You can take trains from

Delhi - 1,874 km

Mumbai - 490km)

Bangalore - 430 km to reach Goa comfortably.

From the railway stations, you can hire taxis and motorcycle taxis to reach the desired destinations.

iii) Road Transport

Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka state transport corporations operate from the Kadamba bus stand at Panaji. Frank Shipping operates a boat service between Mumbai and Panaji.

Moving around in Goa is quite easy. One can find bus as well as car rental services. A unique experience is that of the motorcycle taxi. Several ferry services are also available.

From	To	Kilometers	Approximate Time Taken
Goa	Bangalore	578	15hrs
	Belgaum	160	3hrs
	Bijapur	375	7hrs&30min
	Bombay	582	15hrs
	Hubli	166	4hrs
	Mangalore	357	10hrs

Goa Travel Guide

Beaches in Goa

Goa Anjuna beach
Goa Arambol beach
Goa Benaulim beach
Goa Bogmalo beach
Goa Cavelossim beach
Goa Dona Paula beach
Goa Palolem beach
Goa Colva beach
Goa Baga beach
Goa Calangute beach
Goa Vagator beach

Lets travel around Goa

Goa Tourism

Some of the tourist destination of Goa includes,

Bhagwan Mahavir National Park
Anjuna Calangute
Colva and Benaulim
Dona Paula Beach
Mormugao harbor
Vagator and Chapora
Dudhsagar waterfall
The Goa State Museum
The Secretariat
Se Cathedral
Holy shrine of Basilica of Bom Jesus
Church of St. Francis of Assisi
Church of St. Cajetan
Church of St. Augustine Ruins
Church and Convent of St. Monica
Church of Lady of Rosary
Chapel of St. Anthony and Chapel of St. Catherine
Fort Aguada, Aguada jail and Museum of Christian Art
Panaji, church dedicated to Lady of Immaculate Conception
Chapel of St. Sebastian. ,the statue of Abbe Faria
Terekhol Fort
Braganza House
Ponda
Kerkar Art Complex

Churches in Goa

Goa - Waterfall - Dudhsagar waterfalls

Terekhol Fort

Kerkar Art Complex

Se Cathedral

Must visit places in India

2010-03-03T14:55:00.000-08:00

Must visit places in India

The list of the best tourist attraction in India can be viewed in the video below. (video source : You tube). The list gives the distance of all tourist attractions in India, from Delhi.

Must visit places in India - Video

Must visit places in India -Travel Guide

Must visit places in India -Top Tourist Destination

Must visit places in India -Best of the best

Kashmir - An heaven on earth

2010-03-01T16:07:00.000-08:00

Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India is considered as one of the bets tourist destination in the world and experts believe that it is the best tourist destination in the entire world.

Kashmir - An heaven on earth

Snowfall in Kashmir - an heaven on earth

I guess, by now you will accept the statement "Kashmir - An heaven on earth" is true.

Kerala - A paradise on earth

2010-03-01T15:12:00.000-08:00

Where is Kerala?

Kerala, located on the Southwestern tip of India, enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Asia. Fondly referred to as ‘God’s Own Country’, Kerala was selected by the National Geographic Traveler as one of the 50 destinations of a lifetime and one of the thirteen paradises in the world.

How to reach Kerala?

How to Reach Kerala by Airways: There are three airports in the state located at Thiruvnanthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode to of which are International Airports. The Karipur Airport, Kozhikode plays host to domestic airlines while the Thiruvnanthapuram International Airport and the Cochin Airport, Nedumbasherry operate both domestic and international flights.

How to reach Kerala by Roadways: A very strong communication network makes Kerala easily accessible from all parts of the country. Kerala is directly connected by road to both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. National Highway no.47, 17, 49, and an extensive system of metalled roads connect Kerala to the rest of the country. Buses, tourist taxis, and autos are the main modes of road transport.

How to reach Kerala by Railways: There are 200 railway stations in Kerala connecting places both within and outside Kerala. One can avail of Super-Fast, and express trains to reach ones chosen destination. The train services link the state to all the important cities of India including the four metropolitan cities namely, New-Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai

Public ferry services, speed-boats and even houseboats or ‘ketuvallams’ are other popular modes of transport in the vast network of waterways especially in the Backwaters of Kerala.

This tropical paradise is right here for the taking. All you have to do is to pack your bags and get started on a great and refreshing trip.

Kerala Travel Video

Kerala - A paradise on earth

Alleppey - Backwater Tourist Center

Alleppey is world famous for backwaters and you can see some of the videos below, which explains you the beauty of Allepey.

Munnar- King of hills

The Munnar is located about 5200 feets above sea level and it is only a three hour journey from the most happening city of Kerala, Kochi. It is a land with rolling hills, carpeted with green tea, tropical forest and has a treasure of plants and wildlife that do not exist anywhere else on the planet.

Varkala - A place to visit in one's lifetime

Varkala, just 51km from Trivandrum international airport and 176km from Cochin international airport, is well known for its bets ayurvedic treatment in the world. Varkala is well known for its unusual landscape - Towering cliffs that stand like silent sentinels, guarding the sparkling waters, back the beach.

Apart from these places, Kerala has many more places, and very soon we will see those places also.

Taj Mahal's construction: Taj Mahal Facts;Geometry of Taj Mahal

2010-02-28T17:54:00.000-08:00

Geometry of Taj Mahal- Click Here to go to a Virtual Tour Online to Taj Mahal

Click Here to go to a Virtual Tour Online to Taj Mahal

Unbelievable architecture:

Geometry plays an important role in the overall designs of Mughal architecture, and the play of shape in the Taj Mahal is optimal. The ground plans of the main chamber and the base of the minarets use an octagonal template.

The right angles of the plinth and gardens engage the use of the square and the water channels are rectangular.

The Taj Mahal in fact boasts a double-dome, a false ceiling inside a large outer-skin. This device gives the imposing volume to the outside of the dome, whilst retaining comfortable proportions in the inside - which would otherwise be cavernous.

It is a technique used by Sir Christopher Wren in the dome of St Paul's Cathedral, London.

Quick Facts:

Year of Construction: 1631

Completed In: 1653

Time Taken: 22 years

Built By: Shah Jahan

Dedicated to: Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Bano Begum), the wife of Shah Jahan

Location: Agra (Uttar Pradesh)

Building Type: Islamic tomb

Architecture: Islamic

Cost of Construction: 32 crore rupees

Number of workers: 20,000

Highlights: One of the Seven Wonders of the World

A UNESCO World Heritage site

Timings: 6:00 am to 7:30 pm (Friday closed)

Fee:

Free for children below 12 years of age
Non-Indians: 5 US$
Indians: From 8am to 4pm - Rs. 15
From 6am to 8am and 4pm to 7pm - Rs. 10

Chief Architect: Ustad Isa Khan

How to reach Taj Mahal?

2010-02-28T17:34:00.000-08:00

Where is Taj Mahal Located?

Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra and you can see the map below, to know the exact location of Agra in India.

How to reach Taj Mahal?

Airways:

Indian Airlines (Domestic Airline in India) runs daily flights from Delhi to Agra. Kheria Airport (Airport of Agra) is about 6 km from the Agra city centre and is easily accessible by taxis and auto-rickshaws at nominal rates.

Railways:

Agra is well connected by excellent train services to Delhi such as The Shatabdi Express (2 hrs), Taj Express (2.5 hrs), Intercity Express (3 hrs).

Railway Stations:

Agra Cantt Railway Station

Raja-ki-Mundi Railway Station

Agra Fort Railway Station

Roadways:

Express bus services (a/c and non-a/c) are available from Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Gwalior, and Jhansi. For those driving to Agra, the distances are:

Mathura (Pilgrimage Destination) - 58 kms.

Bharatpur (Bird Sanctury) - 60 kms.

Gwalior (Historical Destination) - 118 kms

Delhi (Capital City of India) - 203 kms

Jaipur (Cultural & Historical Destination) - 236 kms.

Khajuraho (Historical Destination) - 393 kms.

Local Transportation:

After reaching the city also, you need some sort of local transport to reach Taj Mahal. You can easily get taxi, tempo, auto-rickshaw and cycle rickshaw in the city that will take you to your destination. Prepaid taxis are also available if you want to visit the various places near the city. For the adventurous kind, there are bicycles that can be hired on hourly basis from different parts of the city. Since, diesel and petrol vehicle are not permitted in the Taj Mahal area, you can find battery-operated buses, horse-driven tongas, rickshaws and other pollution-free vehicles there.

Incredible India videos

2010-02-28T16:22:00.000-08:00

"Incredible India" is the official campaign by the Indian Tourism Department, which promotes the tourism in India. You can watch the superb and mind blowing natural scenery and tourist spots in India, in this Incredible India videos.The videos below contains official and unofficial Incredible India vidoes