Arrival at Chandernagore

Motilal Roy

Motilal Roy, who had only heard Sri Aurobindo's Uttarpara speech, came to know of his presence in Chandernagore. He located the boat at 6:30 am and offered his services, which Sri Aurobindo accepted.

Motilal Roy led the party on the last leg of their journey. There was a short boat-ride to another ghat. They alighted and continued on foot, climbing a row of stairs, through a spinney until they finally reached Motilal's residence. At last the journey was complete. Sri Aurobindo's secret residence at Chandernagore had begun.

On way to Motilal Roy's Residence — Path leading from Ghat to Motilal Roy's Residence

Secret Residence at Chandernagore

Residence of Motilal Roy — Motilal Roy's Residence

Motilal Roy's Residence

Sri Aurobindo, seated in an easy-chair in Motilal Roy's sitting room explained the need for complete secrecy to avoid detection of his presence by the British Governement, who would do all they could to find him.

One of the hideaways was a store room for furniture in that very house. A thick layer of dust covered everything in it. Bats, spiders and other insects were co-habitants. A small portion on the floor was cleaned for Sri Aurobindo to take his seat. As a proper meal would compromise secrecy, Motilal shared a portion of his own meal.

Changing Hideaways Frequently

The hideaways had to be changed often: a thatched hut, a garden house, a dilapidated shed near a Jagannath temple and other less-frequented locations at the outskirts. The transfer of location was generally effected under the cover of darkness and only a handful of men knew of such matters.

Intense Sadhana

Sri Aurobindo led a secluded life at Chandernagore where 'he plunged entirely into solitary meditation and ceased all other activities'. It was a period of intense sadhana. When he spoke it was as if somebody else were speaking through him. He would eat the food placed before him mechanically remaining deeply absorbed at all times. He meditated with his eyes open and saw various subtle forms and sights - a stream of letters or akasa lipi and the figures of three female energies: Ila, Saraswati and Sarama...

"Sailing Orders for Pondicherry"

One day, Sri Aurobindo received "sailing orders for Pondicherry" in the same way as the 'Divine Adesha' which brought him to Chandernagore.

'As for Adesh, people speak of Adesh without making the necessary distinctions, but these distinctions have to be made. The Divine speaks to us in many ways and it is not always the imperative Adesh that comes. When it does it is clear and irresistible, the mind has to obey and there is no question possible, even if what comes is contrary to the preconceived ideas of the mental intelligence. It was such an Adesh that I had when I came away to Pondicherry.'

Departure to Pondicherry

On the morning of March 31, the day prior to the sailing of SS Dupleix , Motilal Roy saw Sri Aurobindo off from the Boraichanditola Ghat at Chandernagore. Motilal himself did not accompany Sri Aurobindo but deputed two of his trusted followers to be with him...

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Commemorative Plaque at Boraichanditolla Ghat

Sri Aurobindo

One morning in February, 1910, Sri Aurobindo arrived at this Ghat by boat and remained in secret residence at Chandernagore until the morning of 31^st March, when he commenced his onward journey to Pondicherry from this very Ghat.

This Plaque commemorates that auspicious event of his residence at Chandernagore.

Commemorative Plaque in Room at Motilal's Residence

Commemorative Plaque in Room at Motilal Roy's Residence at Chandernagore

Inscription

In 1910, towards the end of February, Sri Aurobindo had stayed for some time in this room during his secret residence at Chandernagore, before leaving for Pondicherry.

Special Room at Residence of Motilal Roy

Sri Aurobindo's Footprints in Chandernagore

Office of 'Karmayogin' - 4, Shyampukur Lane

Sri Aurobindo's Footprints in Calcutta

Sri Aurobindo's Birthplace

Sri Aurobindo was born on August 15, 1872 at No. 4 Theatre Road. This property is now known as 'Sri Aurobindo Bhavan', which came into being through a Government Act in 1972...

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Sri Aurobindo usually resided in this house as a guest of Raja Subodh Chandra Mullick on his visits to Calcutta. 12, Wellington Square thus became a hub of the Nationalist movement and its silent witness...

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Office of 'Bande Mataram'

2/1, Creek Row served as the permanent office and press of 'Bande Mataram' - the English newspaper edited by Sri Aurobindo, which prepared the mind of the people for the Nationalist revolution...

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Bengal National College

Bengal National College, with Sri Aurobindo as its first Principal, operated from 191/1 Bowbazar Street and was later shifted to 164 & 166 Bowbazar street in 1907...

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Residence

19/3, Chhaku Khansama Lane served as residence of Sri Aurobindo for a brief period. He shifted here to become more accessible to the common man...

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Residence

23, Scott Lane served as residence of Sri Aurobindo for a brief period in 1908. Bal Gangadhar Tilak had visited him at least once during his stay here...

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Revolutionary 'Ashram'

The house at 32, Muraripukur Road served as headquarters for the Revolutionary group led by Barindra Ghose...

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Place of Arrest

Sri Aurobindo was arrested from 48, Grey Street on 2nd May, 1908, to stand for trial in the Alipore Bomb Case...

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Prison Cell

Sri Aurobindo was imprisoned in a solitary-confinement cell as an undertrial prisoner in the Alipore Bomb case...

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Alipore Bomb Case

The historic 'Alipore Bomb Trial', in which Sri Aurobindo was the main accused, took place at Alipore Sessions court in 1908-09.

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Residence

6, College Square served as residence of Sri Aurobindo from 6th May, 1909 until February, 1910, when he left Calcutta...

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Uttarpara Speech

'Uttarpara Speech', in which Sri Aurobindo for the first time spoke publicly of his Yoga and his spiritual experiences, was made here on 30.May.1909...

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Office of 'Karmayogin'

4, Shyampukur Lane served as the office of 'Karmayogin' and 'Dharma' newspaper. It was here that Sri Aurobindo received a sudden 'command from above' to go to Chandernagore (in Feb 1910)...

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Secret Residence

Sri Aurobindo remained in secret residence at Chandernagore, entirely engaged in Sadhana, from mid-February to end-March in 1910 before proceeding to Pondicherry...

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A4, Theatre Road

B12, Wellington Square

C2/1, Creek Row

D | E191/1, 164 & 166 Bowbazar Street

F19/3, Chhaku Khansama Lane

G23, Scott Lane

I32, Muraripukur Road

J48, Grey Street

KPresidency Jail

LAlipore Sessions Court

M6, College Square

NJaykrishna Public Library

O4, Shyampukur Lane

P | QChandernagore

Secret Residence at Chandernagore

Sri Aurobindo remained in secret residence at Chandernagore, changing hideaways frequently, generally under the cover of darkness, to avoid detection of his presence by the British Governement.

Sri Aurobindo led a secluded life at Chandernagore where 'he plunged entirely into solitary meditation and ceased all other activities'. It was a period of intense sadhana...

One day, Sri Aurobindo received "sailing orders for Pondicherry" in the same way as the 'Divine Adesha' which brought him to Chandernagore. On the morning of March 31, 1910, Sri Aurobindo commenced his onward journey to Pondicherry from the Boraichanditola Ghat at Chandernagore.

Arrival at Chandernagore

Motilal Roy

Motilal Roy, who had only heard Sri Aurobindo's Uttarpara speech, came to know of his presence in Chandernagore. He located the boat at 6:30 am and offered his services, which Sri Aurobindo accepted.

Path leading from Ghat to Motilal Roy's Residence

Secret Residence at Chandernagore

Motilal Roy's Residence

Motilal Roy's Residence

Sri Aurobindo, seated in an easy-chair in Motilal Roy's sitting room explained the need for complete secrecy to avoid detection of his presence by the British Governement, who would do all they could to find him.

Motilal Roy's Residence

Changing Hideaways Frequently

The hideaways had to be changed often: a thatched hut, a garden house, a dilapidated shed near a Jagannath temple and other less-frequented locations at the outskirts. The transfer of location was generally effected under the cover of darkness and only a handful of men knew of such matters.

Intense Sadhana

"Sailing Orders for Pondicherry"

One day, Sri Aurobindo received "sailing orders for Pondicherry" in the same way as the 'Divine Adesha' which brought him to Chandernagore.

Departure to Pondicherry

Boraichanditola Ghat, Chandernagore

On the morning of March 31, the day prior to the sailing of SS Dupleix , Motilal Roy saw Sri Aurobindo off from the Boraichanditola Ghat at Chandernagore. Motilal himself did not accompany Sri Aurobindo but deputed two of his trusted followers to be with him...

Commemorative Plaque at Boraichanditolla Ghat

Sri Aurobindo

One morning in February, 1910, Sri Aurobindo arrived at this Ghat by boat and remained in secret residence at Chandernagore until the morning of 31st March, when he commenced his onward journey to Pondicherry from this very Ghat.

This Plaque commemorates that auspicious event of his residence at Chandernagore.

Commemorative Plaque in Room at Motilal's Residence

Inscription

In 1910, towards the end of February, Sri Aurobindo had stayed for some time in this room during his secret residence at Chandernagore, before leaving for Pondicherry.

Special Room at Residence of Motilal Roy

Special Room at Residence of Motilal Roy

Sri Aurobindo's Footprints in Chandernagore

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One morning in February, 1910, Sri Aurobindo arrived at this Ghat by boat and remained in secret residence at Chandernagore until the morning of 31^st March, when he commenced his onward journey to Pondicherry from this very Ghat.