Motoring Memories - Southbound 1

 16 January 2024

SUNRISE OVER BAY OF BENGAL

The excitement of starting out on the road trip kept me tossing and turning in bed but soon I slept off. Got up early, rechecked our luggage to ensure that we had packed all that we needed in this 9 day trip. We were travelling from Bangalore to Auroville near Pondicherry (Puducherry) which was around 310 kms away.  We started at 7.40 am just 10 mins beyond our scheduled start time. I topped up the Petrol tank of the vehicle before hitting the NICE road. 

Traffic had already started in the NICE road but we took just about 16 mins to reach the Electronic City toll. From there up to Electronic City was a bit slow but thereafter the traffic eased and we could speed away. We realised how less the traffic was when we reached Hosur Toll gate. In so many years, this was the first time where our vehicle directly reached the gate without any other vehicle in front. Then it dawned on us. It was Mattu Pongal, the day after Pongal but today was the day where most people in Tamil Nadu take a break and enjoy. While people enjoyed at home with their family and friends we sped away and soon reached Krishnagiri, where we stopped at the only hotel which was open - Hotel Vasanta Bhavan for a Coffee break at 9 am. We had packed sandwiches for breakfast which we had already chomped down on our way.

After this short break we headed towards our next short halt - Tiruvannamalai. The road from Krishnagiri became single lane but was very even so we could keep a constant speed. As we were approaching Tiruvannamalai from far we could see the Arunachalagiri in all its splendor. The Ramanashram is located in Tiruvannamalai and attracts thousands and thousands of devotees all through the year. We turned into the Girivalam (circumambulatory road around the holy hill) and after a short ride reached a lovely farmhouse where we stopped to meet a friend at 11.15am. 

It was a large lush green property with coconut, chikkoo and many other variety of trees. There were large patches of roses of different colours. It was a very open and well spaced out farm house with a beautiful Gazebo facing the Arunachala Giri hill feature. The ambience was totally peaceful with only sounds of birds and an occasional noise of a motorbike far away to disturb our reverie. Two dogs one Labrador (Nattu) and an Indie were there for company. We were offered a nice and warm herbal soup by my friend Suresh Kailaash and after a chat and a walk around the property we left for Auroville at about 12.30pm

Just short of Puducherry, we turned left to enter Auroville at about 2.30pm. The narrow but heavily tree lined roads twisted and turned through many a blind corner and finally we hit the ECR and soon had to turn towards the sea. Entry to the Samarpan Guest House initially gave us a feeling that we were in the wrong place. The track if may call it that led through a village with chicken running in front of the car. A tight 90 degree turn to the left and immediately another one to the right made me feel that my car may get stuck soon.  

And as we thought we couldn’t go any further, we saw the Bay of Bengal and the gate of the guest house. Two or three cottages and one building with 3 studio type rooms all with balconies facing the sea. We were quickly checked into the guest house and found our room was on the second floor which we had to reach through a steep and narrow flight of steps. The room was spacious with basic amenities which included a kitchenette and a refrigerator. 

As we turned left, the view of the majestic Bay of Bengal could be seen through the cluster of coconut trees.

After settling down, we thought we would take a short nap but it turned out to be one deep sleep. Woke up at about 5.30pm, quickly freshened up and then walked to the beach which was just about 50 m outside. We then sat on the sand for about 45 mins enjoying the calm of the waves washing up and going back. 

There were lots of people further up the beach who were enjoying dipping into the ocean but we didn’t venture for a walk at that time. The sun was setting behind us and we noticed the birds flying back to their nests wherever they were.  

We then returned to the guest house and sat in comfortable cane chairs facing the sea again. After a long time, I realised that I was really doing nothing actually even thinking nothing except how insignificant or small one felt when one is faced with the vast ocean and an even vaster sky. Soon it became dark and we decided to order food online. As luck would have it only one of the referred restaurants was delivering food that night and so we ordered some Paneer and Naan and washed it down with lime soda. By 8.30 pm we were already in bed. Some cultural program was going on in the nearby village with loud announcements and a soft cool breeze was blowing in from the sea. It was time to go to sleep. The next day we were planning to visit Pondicherry, Aurobindo ashram, French town etc and check if we could maybe  walk around Auroville!!! As I lay down on bed, I realised that I had started on one of my many dreams - a drive around India.

Short Video on Auroville Beach