It was as if we were destined to land in Auroville on New Year’s Day!
As is the case every year end, we were planning the annual family holiday and this year the general consensus was to go on a wild life safari in Kenya. We started checking out the ticketing and although we never intended to, we ultimately happened to transit via India.
On the way back we couldn’t help stealing a visit to our Mecca….Pondicherry. Once our plans were finalised both Venkatesh and I realised that both of us had in fact had a strong urge to celebrate the dawn of the new year at the Samadhi but somehow this slipped our minds. Strange are the ways of the Divine.
Our holiday in Kenya was most enjoyable and Venkatesh quipped that the animals seemed to be living in Peace and harmony, but the same cannot be said of us humans! On the 30th of January, we finally reached Pondi and spent a wonderful 4 days there. We visited the Samadhi every morning and late night and soaked in the peace and energy around it. We were looking forward to attending the New Year meditation at the Samadhi at 6am. However while chatting and having dinner with some old time friends they mentioned that they were attending the Morning BonFire and meditation at Auroville and asked us to join them. We didn’t have to be asked twice!
On the 1st day of 2009, we hopped onto two little scooters and headed for Auroville where a memorable experience awaited us. We reached Auroville at 5:30 in the morning. It was pitch dark but somehow we found our way to the amphitheatre where we came upon a marvelous sight. The entire open-air theatre was lit up with candles and looked out of this world. We settled down to the silence and peace pervading all over. At 05:45 the music was turned on. The beautiful meditative music of the sonorous Russian bells elevated the atmosphere to a higher plane. The whole setting was ethereal. Not a sound was made. A deep calm descended all over. A little after 06.00 the first day of 2009 dawned and slowly revealed the Matrimandir in the background. For a few minutes I was mesmerised by the sight of Matrimandir slowly emerging from darkness to light.
Once day broke and the bonfire was lit, a wave of hope and joy seemed to wash over all gathered there. We greeted and wished people around us a happy new year and moved towards the bonfire to enjoy the warmth as the morning was surprisingly chilly. Aurovillians had gathered several baskets of flowers. All joined in to decorate the area around the urn with Kolams of flowers.
It was the most pure, peaceful and pristine New Year day of my life.
Every day that I was in Pondi, at the Samadhi, my sincere prayers went out to The Mother and Sri Aurobindo for Peace on Earth. I prayed that Sri Aurobindo’s 5 dreams come true. With The Mother’s and Sri Aurobindo’s Divine Grace and our Sincere Aspirations, it will happen!
- Shailaja
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