Tag : Pondicherry

Little had I known before embarking on my journey to the Mother's and Sri Aurobindo’s place that I will come across such vistas which will soothe my soul and encounter such inspiring people who will enrich my mind too. Pondicherry is also called Puducherry, the French interpretation of the original name “Puducheri” meaning “new settlement”. After landing at Chennai airport I was looking for public transport vis-a-vis a bus which could take me to Pondicherry. Browsing on the internet I had realised that one can take a bus on the East Coast Road which takes to Pondicherry with a fare of about Rs 200 rupees while the taxi cab charged 600 rupees per person. With a desire to explore the area, I got out of the Chennai airport and a lady driving the Golf cart offered me help to drop me near the metro station from where I had to catch the bus. Thank god she could understand my language. Since everyone was speaking Tamil, I asked from where she learnt English, she said she could manage with the language as this was her profession. She directed me to ask for the Guindy train station from where I could catch the bus. Metro train ticket was for rupees 40 and getting down at Guindy station, I had to walk for about 10 minutes crossing the subway to reach Guindy bus stand. Here unlike North India, the state owned buses are air conditioned and well maintained. After nearly four hours of journey I reached Pondicherry bus stand and my room was booked in Cottage guest house through my spiritual friend Dr Rajmeet. I reached my room with the help of the receptionist. I was told that I could take meal coupons at 6 am in the morning going downstairs. A 50 rupee coupon gives you three meals a day and that too consisting of banana fruit, cocoa milk, curd et ...