Presence Homestay (Grace)

Presence is a minimalist styled, ecologically respectful homestay with the necessary amenities of comfort and situated close to some of the first communities of Auroville. One bedroom,two large salons, a kitchen, a yoga room. Fifteen minutes from Pondicherry, ten from the centre of Auroville, five from the sea, Presence offers you the serenity of nature with easy accessibility to everything of interest. This spacious retreat surrounded by a garden is the quiet break you’ve been longing for. The space Presence is a space we have created to welcome travellers who are seeking to find fresh meaning in life through a different kind of “sojourn”, a sojourn that takes them to a re-discovery of themselves and through it to find a new joyful purpose in life and daily living. We hope your time in Presence will be a sojourn of that kind so that you go back to where you came from enriched and fortified to continue on your journey, somewhat lighter and happier. Presence offers you a space to relax, in the midst of plants and trees and chittering birds. It also is a space to revitalise yourself: start the day with asanas, pranayama and meditation in the MeditationHall on the terrace, go for a swim in the sea close by or to the Pool even closer. It is a space to be creative: read, write, draw or paint, listening to the appropriate music in the large open salons or on the open terrace above or in the garden. It is a space to let your culinary spirit fly: use the well-equipped kitchen to cook up your dream-dishes and earn a Michelin star or two! It is a space to discover and explore two of the most extraordinary “dreams” of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo: the Ashram and Auroville. It is also a convenient base to get a whiff of nostalgia of France in the distinctive air of Pondicherry. Guest access There is a spacious, well-lit, well-ventilated meditation hall on the first floor equipped with Yoga mats. It can accommodate 15 to 20 people, in case guests wish to organize a retreat or seminar. The terrace and garden are open for our guest’s use. The kitchen is well-equipped with a fridge, a 3-burner gas stove, an OTG, a water filter and all the necessary utensils to cook even for large groups. During your stay A Nepali lady, Geeta, takes care of Presence and lives on a stand-alone set-up near the main building. She is available during the day until 8pm. We are almost always reachable on our phones and 20 minutes away. If required, we would be happy to spend some time with you at Presence, our schedule permitting, in order to help/guide you in your desire to understand/explore Pondicherry, the Ashram or Auroville. Other things to note Cycles, scooters, auto rickshaws, taxis can be organised for a fee. The caretaker can cook simple meals at home at an additional cost and clear directions. Any tasks beyond maintainance of the rooms done by the caretaker are at an additional cost.