Sri Aurobinod Ashram, ,

 This was founded in 1920 by Sri Aurobindo when Pondicherry was a French colony with the aim of putting in place his ideas of a peaceful community. The ashram was run by Mirra Alfassa, his French companion, universally known as the Mother. The members of the Ashram are allowed to mediate as they wish; there being no rituals, obligatory practices or systematic instruction. The ashram consists of a diversified community with almost1,200 members, of whom 400 are students at the Centre of Education. There are various departments to run the administrative system of the ashram and to cater to the basic needs of its members. It also has farms and gardens, a printing press, libraries as well as a number of small-scale industries. The “samadhi" or tombs of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother are within the precincts of the ashram itself. It is open to all for a fixed number of hours everyday.