Tag Archives: Pondicherry

Visit the Ashram in Pondicherry

When in Pondicherry I warmly recommend you to pay a visit to the ashram of Sri Aurobindo on “Marine Street” in the old French Quarters. It is a beautiful colonial style mansion where the faithful meditate. In 1920 a French woman joined Sri Aurobindo and became his spiritual companion, since then known as “The Mother”. Sri Aurobindo’s teachings are a synthesis of traditional and modern Yoga. The aim of his Yoga practice is to develop inner spiritual life. With this practice the unique Self is revealed, thus developing a supramental spiritual awareness that transforms human life.

Sri Aurobindo´s ashram was founded on November 24, 1926. In December of the same year, Sri Aurobindo decided to abandon public life to dedicate himself solely to the action of the Supramental Force, leaving the management of the ashram in the hands of “The Mother” (Mira Alfassa), who continued his work after his death in 1960.

In 1968 “The Mother” refers to the project of a new village in the following terms :

“There shall be on Earth an unalienable place, a place that does not belong to any nation, a place where all beings of good faith, sincere in their aspirations, can live free as citizens of the world…”

Auroville, situated ten kilometres north of Pondicherry, the project of an experimental modern and spiritual village, came to life in 1969,

In the ashram you can meditate at the feet of Sri Aurobindo’s and “The Mother” “Samadhi” that is covered with fresh flowers, a peaceful place, accessible every day from 8.00 – 12.00 and 14.00 – 16.00

Pondicherry is 100 km away from Mahābalipuram, 2 hours by bus or 1^1/2hours by car.

Gingee

A visit to Gingee, a site outside the usual touristic circuits, as abandoned. Four old forts located on the top of various hills, in a wonderful granite landscape surrounded by paddy fields and wild vegetation full of monkeys.

A must see! ! A magical atmosphere in the universe of Rudyard Kipling or Indiana Jones! Good for your shape!

Temple of Venkataram, the place is very enjoyable with a large green lawn well looked after. In the middle of what looks like a little park, stands a 500 years old abandoned temple with 1000 columns.

In the Inner fort, at the foot of the castle, you’ll observe various remnants that are scattered on the site, like the six-storey Palace of Weddings. Climbing to the top of the mountain is an unforgettable experience with a unique landscape as reward.

The gigantic elephant’s pond is very impressive and a must seen as well as the hundreds of years old trees with their gigantic circumference.

Visit the other hill and its castle, the Krishnagiri. Those who love climbing, will enjoy this site, the steps are quiet high and sometimes become just big slabs you have to step over, exhausting climb in the sun with no infrastructure.

The view from the top is amazing, beautiful, a 360° view on the surroundings

On the top, more columns, a sort of mini-acropolis and a temple, and a lot of monkeys!

Be careful! It is very hot up there!! Bring water. Give yourself 2 or 3 days to visit everything.

Situated 70 km west of Pondicherry (about 1h20 drive).
Situated 123km southwest of Mahabalipuram. (2h drive).

Cheyyur, South of Mahābalipuram

This village is located outside the tourist circuits, 30 km South of Mahābalipuram, before Merkanam, a little away (6 km on the right) from the road that goes to Pondicherry. There is an ancient temple dedicated to Shiva; the entry with a gopuram, is worth a visit. One discovers a mandapa with square pillars decorated with rearing up horse riders, in Nayak style. A sanctuary houses the Goddess Parvatī. In the second mandapa, there are some interesting statues of Ganesha, Shiva Lingodhbhava, Kārtikeya * and their wives, as well as Brahma. In the outer courtyard, notice two small sanctuaries of Ganesha and Murugan (another name for Kartikeya), the two sons of Shiva and Parvati.

Approximately 300 metres further on, in the same village, stands the Murugan temple (Subramanyan). One of the mandapa also has pillars decorated with high reliefs of rearing up horses with riders, they have recently been cleaned. In a recess of the temple, many very beautiful procession Deities ‘Utsav Mûrti’ in gilt bronze, are kept in a room that is protected by large iron bars. Murugan, who can be seen on the side, accompanied by his two wives, is splendid.

Cheyyur, lies 48 km South of Mahābalipuram (1 h by bus or 45′ by car).

The temple of Chidambaram

Chidambaram is known all over India for its famous temple devoted to Siva (Shiva) represented in Naṭarāja form, Naṭarāja or the “cosmic dancer”, dances the creation (Ananda Tandava). Dating back to the end of the Chola Empire during the XII^th century AD, the temple built on grounds covering 22 hectares, holds four large gopurams directed towards the four cardinal points. Depictions of Hindu myths are finely sculpted within the gopurams.

There are many symbols represented through “Shiva Naṭarāja”, the King of Dance :

Shiva holds himself in a “circle of fire” known as thiruvāsi, which symbolizes the vibrant, rhythmic and cyclical nature of Life.
Shiva presses down with its right foot on the demon Mulayaga in this way signifying the defeat of the evil that arises from ignorance, avidya.
His left leg is held up in the air and symbolizes the path to salvation/righteousness.
The palm of his first right hand is held forward, a gesture referred to as patāka, which denotes protection and the distancing from fear.
In his second right hand, Shiva holds a tambourine (the ḍamaru) in a gesture called ḍamaru-hasta, which represents creation through the rhythm of Life, the passing of time.
His first left arm is extended in front of his body; his hand pointing towards the foot, taking the mudra of kari-hasta position, that means, “Here I am”. It is in this way that Shiva focuses upon himself all that is, demonstrating the elevation and the liberation/emancipation through the jungle of ignorance.
In his second left hand, Shiva holds the fire of transformation. That is to say the vital force, which is a symbol of the vital energy (Prāṇa).
One can see on the left side of his face the crescent moon (Chandra), which symbolizes the highest degree of knowledge. This includes intellectual, sensorial and emotional knowledge.
On the right side of his face the Ganges, in its fish form (Matsya) can be found. The Ganges is a symbol of water giving Life.
On the left side of his body, the belt floating in the wind represents the withdrawal, the disappearance of illusion (Māyā).
One can see a “Royal Cobra” coiled around Shiva’s waist, on his right side. This is an ancient symbol of fertility. In fact, it represents – through the remains of past universes – the seed of all future creations as well as immortality.
A stoical face represents a brave attitude through adversity. Thus the neutrality of the expression implies balance.

Within the sanctuary of Naṭarāja, there is a temple devoted to Pārvatī known as Shivakami, the consort of Shiva. It is, in this space, that are represented the different dance figures in the style of Bharata natyam

Location :

The temple of Chidambaram is located 60 km South of Pondicherry (1h30 by car from Pondy and 3h30 from Mahābalipuram).

The temple is closed from 12:00 to 16:00.

Prices for the lessons Yoga Ashtanga Institute 2024/2025

Single course Required membership 1 lesson / trial lesson 1 private lesson	Price 30 € 30 € 100 €	Valid 1 year from September to September 1h30 1h only by appointment
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Workshop in Greece Athens – October / November Athens – April Athens – June / July	Price Ask Ask Ask	nikzog70@gmail.com 00 30 69 77 80 92 21 nikzog70@gmail.com 00 30 69 77 80 92 21 katarizou@gmail.com 00 30 69 97 90 22 90

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JCG – SCS, Ashtanga Yoga Institute
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You can gather a small group of friends (3 or 4 people) and discover Ashtanga Yoga together. Choose the time of your lesson and organize a session adapted to your needs, learn the basics or go deeper into the method.

The instruction given at the Ashtanga Yoga of Brussels is true to the Yoga Korunta transmitted by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois at the l’Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore – Karnataka South India.

Teachers who regularly gives classes at the Ashtanga Yoga Institute are: Jean Claude Garnier, Jan Janssen, Sergine Laloux, and the team of substitute teachers: Annette, Bernadette, Catherine, Ivan, Mary, Simon …

Gaja Lakshmi

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Ashtanga Yoga Institute #EN

610, Ch. Alsemberg – 1180 Brussels