Page 595 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

PUDUCHERR Y  593

Festivals of
Tamil Nadu
Pongal (mid-Jan). A
thanksgiving festival in praise
of the sun, land and cattle,
Pongal is celebrated all
over Tamil Nadu. A sweet
rice pudding (pongal) is the
main offering. The southern
districts organize a bullfight,
a popular martial event
known as manju virattal.
Chitirai (mid-Apr). The
The verdant courtyard of the École Française d’Extrême-Orient Tamil New Year is celebrated
all over the state with
P École Française Founded by Sri Aurobindo offerings of food to the gods.
d’Extrême-Orient in 1926, the Ashram is a In Madurai, the marriage
of Minakshi (Parvati) and
16 & 19, Rue Dumas. peaceful retreat with tree-shaded Sundar eshvara (Shiva) is
Tel (0413) 233 2504. courtyards. The flower-festooned celebrated with much pomp.
An internationally renowned samadhi (memorial) of Sri
research institution, the Aurobindo and his spiritual Adi Perukku (Jul/Aug).
Sweets and different kinds
19th-century École Française collaborator, “The Mother” lies of rice preparations are
d’Extrême-Orient is noted for its under a frangipani tree in the offered to the rivers of
research in Asian archaeology, main courtyard. This memorial, Tamil Nadu to mark the
history and sociology. with two chambers, one above onset of the monsoon.
the other, is the focal point for
P French Institute all disciples and followers. Navaratri Gollu (Sep/Oct).
Exclusively for women, this
of Indology nine-day festival marks the
11, St Louis St. Tel (0413) 233 4539. Environs victory of Goddess Durga
The prestigious French Institute Auroville, or the “City of Dawn”, over the buffalo demon
of Indology was established 8 km (5 miles) northwest of Mahisha. Houses are decorated
in the mid-1950s by an Puducherry, was designed by with gollu dolls, which depict
eminent French Indo logist, French architect Roger Anger gods and goddesses, as
Dr Jean Fillozat. Originally in 1968. Conceiv ed as a utopian well as with contemporary
set up for the study of local paradise by The Mother, Mirra secular icons.
language and culture, this Alfassa, it was planned as a Karthigai (Nov/Dec),
institute now has links with futuristic international city, Tiruvannamalai. People decorate
many French universities where people of goodwill their homes with lights to
and research organizations. would live together in peace. celebrate the birth of Murugan,
The International Commune, son of Shiva (see p588).
P Aurobindo Ashram with 40 settlements with names
Rue de la Marine. such as Grace, Serenity and
Tel (0413) 223 3604. Open daily. Certitude, and 550 permanent
Puducherry’s best-known residents, was meant to bring
landmark, the Aurobindo Ashram people from different castes,
dominates life in this town. religions and nations under
one roof, where they
could live in harmony. Two
important settle ments,
Fraternité and Harmonie,
sell handicrafts made by
local artisans. The Matri
Mandir, a meditation
centre set in an area of
25 ha (62 acres), reflects
The Mother’s spiritual
beliefs. This spherical
marble chamber has a
crystal placed inside it,
reflecting the sun’s rays.
The concentrated light Tamil women making preparations
Matri Mandir, the spiritual and physical centre acts as a focal point to for Pongal
of Auroville aid meditation.

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