10.10.2014 [ Friday]
I woke up that morning realising that, this day was going to be really exciting.
First view of the day
There were many things to do today. Not much time to waste. I had to be present at 8.45 am sharp, at the visitor's centre for my Matri mandir visit. I was ready, had my breakfast and headed towards the Visitor's centre.
There was a movie screening going on. I showed my pass to the one  who was standing outside the white building where the movie screening was going on. I waited outside along with some other people for our turn to go inside. After 10 minutes it was our turn.
The Auroville Video Screening
After the movie, we were guided towards a bus. The bus would take us to the Matri mandir. This was my third day of visiting Matri mandir. And this day was special as I was going inside the Matri Mandir!
Matri Mandir Inner Chamber Visit
Matri Mandir on third day
We arrived at the gate of Matri Mandir and we were asked to wait. Also we were not supposed to take any gadgets including phones and cameras, inside this place. So no more pictures from inside. Soon a guide joined us, who was going to explain various things about Matri Mandir.
Soon after the talk, our guide, guided us towards the Matri mandir. Finally I was going inside the tranquil zone! Everyone is supposed to leave their footwear outside, roll up their long trousers, wear a socks provided by them, all these to keep the place neat and clean.
This place is amazing. No one talks inside to maintain complete silence. The majestic grandeur and simplicity of the architecture along with this complete silence gave the place a surreal feel. Walking the spiral pathway leading to the meditation hall was a special feeling. Going inside the 'all white' inner chamber of the Golden dome for the first time was like entering inside a wonderland.
Meditating inside the matri mandir is an amazing experience. I have never experienced such silence anywhere else. The ambience provided by the polished white marbles, the scattered sunlight from the crystal ball and the absolute silence, makes it an out of the world experience. I have never experienced such a silence and I realised that there are different kinds of silences, and this one was very special. But it didn't last very long. When a light was flashed after some time, indicating the end of the meditation session, people started to leave the chamber without making noise.
I thought I would find answers to my questions after the meditation session. But nothing happened. I couldn't silence my thoughts during that short time,  even though it was an incredible experience to sit there silently.  I decided to come back again for a meditation session to seek answers from within. So I made an appointment for the next day as well. Making the next appointment was easy. You need to get an appointment from the office situated just near the gate where you are supposed to keep your phones and cameras.  Or else you need to call them up for the next appointment. But all the services are free of cost.
After the meditation session, we were led to the Lotus pond below the Globe and allowed to meditate for few minutes listening to the soothing sound of flowing water. And then we were taken around the Matri mandir and to the Great Banyan tree inside the Matri mandir compound. The atmosphere was so peaceful. One can sit there enjoying the breeze for hours without even moving a muscle. Words are inadequate to describe the true feelings offered by Matri Mandir!
After this incredibly wonderful experience, I took the bus back to visitor's centre to get back to my bike. I had plenty of time left for my next big thing of the day : The visit to Sadhana Forest. So I decided to explore the unexplored. I had a few places in mind.
Swaram was one of the places.
Swaram
At Swaram , they make and sell  various music instruments. You can go and watch how they manufacture various musical instruments.
Swaram : Musical Instruments on display
Next stop was at Bamboo research centre, very near to Swaram.
On the way to Bamboo centre
This place specialises in creating  various things out of bamboo.
Welcome to Bamboo centre
I had no idea what all things can be produced from a bamboo till I visited that place.
The Bamboo man
I had no clue that it was possible to make lovely ornaments from Bamboo. I had to see it to believe it.
Bamboo Jewellery
And first time I was seeing bamboo cloths!!
Other bamboo products
After the bamboo centre, I roamed here and there like any other day. Some findings from the day's exploration.
somewhere in Auroville
Being in the woods
It was around 3 pm and I decided to stop exploring and went to Solar kitchen to get the bus to Sadhana forest. The bus was expected to leave by 4 pm. So I reached there early.
One last picture before going to Sadhana
The bus started around 4 pm. Two buses already left with some college students. Our bus was almost half filled.
Into the wild
After a 15-20 minutes of bumpy ride we reached Sadhana forest. There were more than 100 people came for the tour that day. We all were welcomed to the main hut area.
Main hut of Sadhana
Then we were addressed by a long term volunteer.
Jamie giving the speech
And then we were taken for the tour. During the tour they explained us the life at Sadhana forest.
The demo toilet
And the best part was the forest tour. The place was an arid land 10 years ago, and the volunteers of Sadhana forest have changed it into a forest! Because of the rain from previous day, the place was sort of muddy. That added to the fun of exploring the forest.
Some greenery from the forest
Papaya leaf from the forest
The forest tour
After the tour, it was time for the Friday Eco film. Every Friday there will be an eco film screening in Sadhana forest.
The Eco film
After the eco film, there was dinner for all the guests. We all had the delicious dinner from there and took the bus back to Auroville. It was already 9.30 pm by that time. So I took my bike and went to my hut. That was the end of a wonderful day. Its time for a good sleep. Goodnight! See you all tomorrow Day 5!
