The Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a well-known spiritual community or ashram in Vadodara, Gujarat. It is one of the top places to visit in Vadodara and is located in Dandia Bazar.
The Aurobindo Ashram, also known as Arvind Ashram or Auro Nivas, was the residence of Aurobindo Ghosh during his stay in Baroda from 1894 until 1906. The first ashram to earn widespread recognition and respect in the state's southern regions.
Earlier, many famous people came to visit the Arvind Ashram, a national memorial. All visitors admire the tranquillity that pervades the meditation halls and the campus as a whole.
What is the history of Sri Aurobindo Ashram?
Aurobindo Ghosh, a prominent philosopher, social and political thinker, freedom fighter, and yogi, lived at an ashram during his time as the private secretary to Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. He was also a professor of English and vice-principal of Baroda College. The Aurobindo Ghosh came to visit the bungalow along with prominent figures, including his wife, Mrinalini Devi, and his brother, Barindar Kumar Ghose.
The Sri Aurobindo Society in Baroda requested a bungalow from the Gujarat government to be used as a memorial. It was handed over in 1971 and later developed into a permanent memorial.
Architecture of the Ashram
The Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a big brick building with lovely grounds. The place has the beauty and charisma of an old English home, complete with tall towers and white wooden windows. The ashram's grounds are neat and clean.
The ground floor houses a library, the main ashram office, an exhibition space, and a natural product shop. This shop sells soaps, honey, aroma oils, medications, incense sticks, and books.
The meditation hall is located on the first level of the Arvind Ashram. The meditation hall is a network of interconnecting small and large chambers rather than a single large room.
Even if there is a lot of traffic outside, there is nothing but silence in the halls. You can see people meditating here, completely unaware of their surroundings. However, the ashram is worth exploring during the Vadodara tour package.