Rohan R. Rao

The Pamban Bridge also called Indira Gandhi Bridge lies on the Indian end of the Palk Strait that connects Pamban island to mainland India. It actually refers to both the road bridge and the cantilever railway bridge, though primarily it means the latter. It is the longest sea bridge in India at a length of nearly 2.3 km (2345 meters) and stands as a fine example of Indian architecture. The bridge was constructed with sufficient elevation and a beautiful scenery of the sea, adjoining Islands and parallel rail bridge below can be viewed from the bridge.

The openable part of the railway bridge (called movable bridge in Civil Engineering terms) is in existence since 1911 and still it is functioning quiet well. It carries meter gauge trains on it, however, recently the Indian Railways are in the process of upgrade it to carry broad gauge trains. Structural Engineering Research Centre, Chennai – a premier national research laboratory in India, is handling this task.

A walk on the bridge is an exhilarating experience. At times the breeze could be strong. The view of the distant sea and the string of islands on the left of Pamban island is simply breathtaking. Though the bridge is a stunning structure, the entrance to the bridge from both the Mandapam and Pamban sides do not do justice to this impressive landmark.

A view of the Bay of Bengal on the east coast with the colour streaked sky and setting sun in the backdrop.

Auroville was inaugurated on February 28, 1968 in a ceremony attended by representatives from 124 nations and all the states of India. In a gesture symbolic of human unity, a boy and a girl from each nation and state poured a handful of soil from their homeland into a lotus-shaped marble urn near the center of the city-to-be.

Auroville was planned as an international experimental township, Auroville was inspired by the evolutionary vision of Sri Aurobindo and founded by Mirra Alfassa, known as the “Mother”.The Matrimandir is both the physical and spiritual center of Auroville. Matrimandir, in Sanskrit, means “Temple of the Divine Mother”. Its inner chamber is meant to be a place for quiet and concentration, void of any ritual, where anyone can sit to meditate in silence.

The Matrimandir is a 100-foot-high elliptical sphere resting on four pillars sunk deep into its foundation. Each pillar represents an aspect of the Divine Mother: Wisdom, Strength, Harmony, Perfection. The Matrimandir will be surrounded by a network of 12 gardens and a lake.

Inside the upper portion of the Matrimandir is the inner chamber, a 12-sided room whose walls are lined with white Italian marble. At the center is a sphere of pure crystal, 70 cm. in diameter, illuminated by sun light channeled from an opening at the top of the chamber.

Built with the support of people from all over the world, Matrimandir stands as a living example of human unity in diversity which Auroville seeks to express and manifest a unity essential for our planet’s survival.