FAQ

AT WHAT TIME CAN I CHECK IN?
Your room will be ready at 13.00 o’clock. You can check in any time after 1 PM. Please inform us if you're arriving late.

I WILL REACH PONDICHERRY EARLY IN THE MORNING BY NIGHT BUS. CAN I CHECK IN EARLY?
It’s subject to availability. There is a half day charge for early check in

IF I ARRIVE AT THE CHENNAI AIRPORT IN THE MIDDLE OF NIGHT? DO I NEED TO SLEEP IN CHENNAI?
Not necessarily. Most of our foreign guests arrive late at night. We know reliable drivers who will bring you safely to Gaia’s Garden.

CAN I LEAVE MY LUGGAGE WITH YOU FOR A WHILE BEFORE OR AFTER MY STAY?
Of course! You can leave your luggage in the reception during our office hours (09:00 am to 5: 00 pm). Please note that leaving luggage is at your own risk. We are not responsible for theft or damage. And you are not subject to use the kitchen before check in or after check out.

IN THE HOUSE, WHAT FACILITIES ARE SUPPLIED IN THE ROOMS?
Each room has a wardrobe, a desk and a safe. Some rooms have a sofa bed and/or a sitting area. Naturally, we supply fine bedlinen, towels, Ayurvedic soap and shampoo. Do you need fresh new towels or an extra bedsheet? Please request our staff.

WHAT ARE THE OPENING HOURS FOR BREAKFAST?
We serve breakfast between 08:30 and 09:30 am.
The breakfast includes a warm beverage of coffee/tea, 2 slices of whole wheat bread, butter & Auroville organic jam, omelette/boiled egg/fried egg. Do you want a gluten free meal? We can prepare oatmeal or muesli for you. Well, that’s a good morning!

IS THERE ANY GUIDELINE ON HOW TO USE THE KITCHEN?
Did you know that the kitchen is the hottest place in the guesthouse anywhere in the world? If the kitchen goes well, everything goes well and everybody will have fantastic memories on this trip.
We suggest you place personal items including cooking materials and utensils in your selected food cupboard. You can store your dairy products and some food in the closed container on your shelf in the refrigerator. Wash and dry all the utensils and put them back in their place right after meals. Also wipe the kitchen counter and dining/terrace table.
The next guests will appreciate your sparkling cleaning and socialising!

WHAT CAN WE DO?
I’m dreaming of starting a day with sunrise in the Horizon. How far is the beach? Is it a walkable distance?
Indeed. We love to walk down early in the morning or in the evening. The Auro beach is 1km down.

It’s my first time in Auroville. CAN I GO TO THE MATRIMANDIR OF MEDITATE IN THE CHAMBER?
Matrimandir is the Soul of Auroville. To see Matrimandir and its gardens from the Viewing Point, you need to pick up a free pass from the Information Desk at the Visitors Centre. Every Tuesday is closed. After the introduction on Auroville, you can book a meditation in the chamber.
For more information, see the Auroville website: https://auroville.org/page/visiting-the-matrimandir

WE HAVE CHILDREN WITH US. WHAT CAN WE DO IN AUROVILLE?
Certitude playground

Sadhana Forest: Bus leaving from Solar kitchen every Friday at 4 pm

Nature Immersion at Mahakali Park: Every Wednesday and Sunday at 7 am
Meeting point at Revelation’s main gate 5-10 min before the time of the session
•Contact: +919500183706 (Arun), +918349917282 (Rahul).

Svaram
Showroom & Sound Garden Guided Tour: Mon-Sat, 11am-12pm, 3:15-4:15 pm
Sunday closed

La Piscine- Auroville Swimming pool in New Creation. Contact: 0413 262 3297

Botanical Garden in Auroville.
https://auroville-botanical-gardens.org/

If you stay longer, then you can consider taking your children to Horse riding.
https://auroville.org/page/auroville-s-natural-horsemanship-school
https://www.rers.auroville.org/
https://auroville-jiva.com/horsetohuman/
https://youthactivities.auroville.org.in/activity/view?id=24

I HEARD PONDICHERRY HAS UNIQUE FEATURES OF FRENCH STYLE. HOW FAR IS PONDICHERRY?
Pondicherry is about 6 km away from Gaia's Garden Guest House. We highly recommend visiting Sri Aurobindo’s Ashram, taking a walk on the Beach Promenade and/or getting the blessings of Ganesh at the Manakula Vinayagar Temple (on Manakula Vinayagar and Nehru streets). Also there is a Sunday market every Sunday!