Pondy/Aurobindo?

all-one-heart

Does anyone know of a nice guest house in Pondicherry, along the beach? or other wise? And the price?

How does one make reservations at the Aurobindo Ashram for accomodations? How wonderful to be in such a peaceful place!I love to go to bed early. And do you know the cost? Thanks!!!!

Indian_writer

Hi Alloneheart,

The Aurobindo ashram has accommodation along the beach at Pondicherry. You can check them out at: http://www.sriaurobindoashram.org/vi...use/ghlist.php

For reservation of accommodation at the ashram, send mail to:
bureaucentral@sriaurobindoashr am.org

Bye,
Rajeev

capt_mahajan

Alternatively, the Promenade has a couple of hotels on it. One, Ajantha Seaview, has a good view and balconies with each room.. about 2500 for double occupancy, 3000 for a large room... weekend rates.

The Promenade hotel is another one, more expensive (over 4000 upwards), better appointed rooms and inferior views.

Both rates with a pretty large breakfast included.


Quite a few guest houses off the seafront, but closeby.. some look inexpensive, some not. The L'Orient (?) is not one of these, heritage building, looks nice, but no sea view.

http://tourism.pondicherry.gov.in/

has a lot of information on accomodation, see the drop down under 'Hotels and resorts'

Lauviah

The Park Guest House( property of the ashram) is just on the "beach" with a quiet nice garden and indeed a beautiful seaview.

atala

Foreign tourists cannot make reservations at Aurobindo Ashram Guest Houses. But you can go there, to Park Guesthouse which is the most pleasant place in all of Pondy, directly at the Beach, (while all the other Hotels mentioned by the Captain have the busy Beach Road in front of them).

expect there at Park Guest House Reception a rather cool reception. remember that they will offer you a room if they have one, but that you are not entitled to get one like in a public hotel. If you go around 10-11 a.m. or 2.p.m. you have good chances to get a room, except from Dec 15 onwards, when everything tends to be booked by Indian friends of the Ashram.

This Ashram institution is not into meditation, so do not expect any meditation, except people sitting near the Samadhi, and on Thursdays for a few minutes. Do not expect to find very happy or relaxed people either. They are Bengalis and Orissans, in foreign territory, unadjusted to Tamil traditions. There are many attractive and happy individuals of course, but the institution and the mass of people in general make a rather stern impression. There is a certain similarity to the Catholic Church. It is more faith-based than practice or insight based. Do not miss to visit the Dining Room once. You can get a meal ticket at the reception of your Guesthouse (for 20 Rupees for 3 meals) if you are staying in an Ashram Guesthouse.

The Aurobindo-Ashram is a mix of Indian ideology with Western exactitude. That makes for a rather strange appearance of Indianity, if there is such a word. But Pondy and Ashram facilities are extremely relaxing for Western visitors. Pondy is a great place to feel at ease as a foreign tourist, because of that internationality, also due to the strong French presence, so clearly felt there.

vargoje3

The Prominade Hotel is a great place. Never actually stayed there but did eat there for dinner on numerous occasions. Great restaurant on the roof w/ great views of the ocean and a good breeze when it gets a bit hot. Pretty cheap beer as well.

all-one-heart

Thanks so much, ATALA, for all the pertinent info. I must admit that I remember really loving just sitting next to the Samadi shrine every day when I was there thirty years ago.!

Lauviah

And many thanks also to vargoje, capt mahajan and Indian writer...

Sama

alloneheart, from your profile I see you are female. let me just say that as a solo female, if you go to the Park you might not get a room. I was refused a room when other westerners -- one couple and a family -- were given rooms.

I found out later -- from a Pondy woman store owner -- that the Park has a policy about giving rooms to solo women travelers. the year before I went with two other women -- all western -- and we got a room and we did not book ahead of time, we just showed up.

go figure.

__________________
My India, 2005-2008
BE THE REVOLUTION

all-one-heart

Hi, Indian writer! I sent the Park Guest House an email and they told me they are really all booked up, especially from feburary 15th on!!!! Already!!!! As I am 56, healthy and seeking a quiet place to stay in Pondicherry, I doubt they refused me on any other grounds... I'm feeling very dissappointed. Any other ideas?

Hi Captain!
This seems WAY over my budget, but thanks for taking the time to answer. Any other ideas? I'd like a quiet, simple, single room for about a month.

Hi,
I tried them, but they are all booked up!!! Any other suggestions? I am a musician and maybe there is a quiet hotel near a temple ? A clean, single roon, quiet for study is what I need for a month or so. Other ideas?

WOW! Yes, you are right, I am a woman, 56, musician and very quiet and disciplined... NOT looking for a partner! I am a bit shook by your observation, to tell you the truth! Yes, I am traveling alone. I lived in Auroville about 30 years ago for quite a while and I really want to stay in Pondy. Maybe there is a place that accepts guests in Auroville? I just don't want to get too mixed up with people who drink and smoke a lot. Sounds dumb, I used to too, but... Ideas?

dhyanpurno

can i get park guest house address in pondicherry?
and i am planning to travel from coimbatore to pondcherry any body can give me a proper idea to travel?

Monsoon

Hi alloneheart, this could be because the Darshan day in on the 21st of Feb (the Mother's birthday) and I know that a lot of Indians go there around that time. Have you tried the other guesthouses?

dhyanpurno

The Ashram offers accommodation in a number of guest houses situated within a mile of the main Ashram building. These guest houses are meant primarily for visitors to Sri Aurobindo Ashram and not for tourists looking out for cheap accommodation during their stay in Pondicherry.

http://www.sriaurobindoashram.org/vi...use/ghlist.php


Mod note: Url found and post modified as per forum rules. Please read them.

atala

If you can afford the Park Guest house then you can also afford most Auroville Guesthouses. February is a time when you can still book some today, I am sure. AV guest houses are mostly very individualized situations with only one or two other guests, where you do not face smokers, drinkers etc. Tell me your preferences and I'll give you suggestions. Do you prefer sea view, a simple palm leave cottage on stilts? Or something inland, more modern, in a quiet forest? You do need to rent transportation when in AV (I recommend Kinetic Honda).

atala

All these Guesthouses mentioned in the above link are booked before Darshan times, that is right.

For people desiring to spend even less, who are satisfied with a clean room and a (hard) bed with attached bath/toilet, there are other Guesthouses not mentioned online, where you pay around Rs. 30-50 per day. I like the Ramakrishna Bhavan for that purpose. Yet it is sometimes a bit smelly around the house, because of cow/buffalo-sheds nearby. But it is very clean otherwise.