At 10 a.m. on March 29, 1914, a 36-year old woman from Paris in France crossed the oceans and travelled by train to reach Puducherry. It turned out to be an historical moment which set the French woman Mirra Alfassa, who later came to be affectionately called as The Mother, on a spiritual journey in the coastal town.
To commemorate the significance of this day, The World Peace Trust, Puducherry, and the Bangavani Trust of Nabadwip Dham, West Bengal in collaboration with the railway staff of the Puducherry station, organised the 104th anniversary celebration of her arrival, on Thursday.
Dibyendu Goswami, Managing Trustee, World Peace Trust and Secretary Bangavani Trust, Nabadwip Dham, said that it took The Mother three weeks to reach Puducherry. “It was only after her arrival that the glorious day for Ashram began. She made Puducherry known to the world. Sri Aurobindo was here with a few disciples. He had no money to establish an Ashram. It was the initiative of The Mother, who brought funds and purchased land to construct the Ashram,” he said.
Home to many
He added that earlier there were 40 Ashramites and now at least 2,500 from different parts of the world. “She was also instrumental in establishing the Ashram dining hall, garden, farm house, and several other departments including the pharmacy and printing press, thus, making the Ashram self-sufficient,” he said.
He added that they have been celebrating the day of The Mother’s arrival for the past 16 years. Suchitra Chakraborty, one of the followers, said that she has been coming to Puducherry every year from West Bengal on this day to celebrate her arrival. “It is the auspicious month for all the followers of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. We offer flowers and meditate,” she said.
The World Peace Trust, and Bangavani Trust are organising the 108th anniversary of the arrival of Sri Aurobindo in Puducherry on April 4.
