Good Earth – Guesthouse

The house
Rooms
Matrinivas
Garden
Surroundings

The house
In 1980 the first building – now the main house – was constructed. This main house is about 200 sqm in size and has 6 large Rooms with 1-2 beds and 2 bathrooms.

In the course of the years the dry and barren ground developed into a paradise garden. Many different plants like Mango-, Cashew- and Lemontrees, Papayas, Banana- and Coco-palms were cropped. The estate is maintained by a steward and gardener who lives with his family on the site in his own house.

Several Statues of Indian gods have found a home on Good Earth. A promenade around the whole area invites to walking or jogging.

From the open entrance hall one has a beautiful view into the front garden with its small Shiva temple. The windows of the dining room provide for good ventilation and a beautiful view into the garden. Varied vegetarian meals are prepared daily by a cook.

A 250 sqm roof terrace is available for yoga exercises and on special events for music- and dance performances. From the terrace one has a view over the whole area and in the night a splendid view on the tropical starry sky.

Good Earth has a calm and meditative character and is very suitable for relaxing and recreative vacations.

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Rooms

Each of the 6 guest rooms has its own character and charm. The rooms are tastefully furnished with furniture from the French colonial period.

The rooms are equipped with mosquito nets and ventilators. Each room has its own door to the terrace with direct access to the wide (about 2.5 ha) garden.

The two bathrooms in the main building are equipped with hot and cold water. There is also a small bagnio in the garden.

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The largest room accomodates 2-3 beds

Good Earth stands for individual freedom. But as in every community some guidelines are necessary. So the guest should do without smoking and drinking alcohol. To obtain the quiet character of the house, we ask our guests to listen to their music with earphones.

below:
Terrace in front of the rooms with garden-view

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The meditation hall Matrinivas

In 2008 a new meditation hall was built on the site - The Matrinivas (The Mother's House). The Matrinivas is a place for meditation and contemplation. It's architecture features the classical south indian style.

A small library with books on yoga and indian philosophy, cushions, mats and blankets invite to stay. Our guests also love to do Hatha yoga exercises in this cool, well ventilated and moskito-proof space.

top: exterior view / below: interior view

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The garden

There is a network of walking paths through the 2.5 ha area and a 750 metres long promenade around the whole compound.

The garden has 3 lotus-ponds. One of them lies in front of the main building and faces a small Shiva temple.

On walks through the garden, one will find a lot of exotic flowers and plants. For further informations about the plants on Good Earth please click on flowers.

The back site of the house faces the morning sun and lies in the shade during the afternoon. The afternoon tea is served under a noticeable banyan tree with its long aerial roots. The bamboo rustles in a refreshing breeze and a flock of wild parrots will come to rest in the eucalyptus trees. A garden swing under a huge teak tree invites for a rest.

A bench in front of a buddha statue carved in stone invites to dwell on for a while. It is placed close to the entrance of a coconut palm alley.

From time to time one can listen to the host playing the indian bamboo flute – bansuri.

below:
buddha statue

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Surroundings

Good Earth is located about 130 km south of Chennai (Madras) and 8 km north of the town Pondicherry, a former french settlement. It is a cottage house in the midst of cashew plantations and fields.

After 10 minutes footway one reaches the typical south indian village Edayanchavadi. The village school for 80 - 100 children is supported by "Good Earth" financially. In the village there is a small market in front of the temple.

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street impression

Pondicherry Pondicherry is about 8 km away from Good Earth and lies directly on the Bay of Bengal.

The visit of the typical indian bazar is completed by a chai (indian tea with spices) and samosa (dough and deep-fried pocket) in one of the numerous snack bars located on the Nero Street – the main shopping road.

Pondicherry is an ambitious town. There are more and more boutiques. There one will find everyhing, what the european heart likes: cold drinks in air-conditioned locations with view on the indian street live, interior decorations, handicraft, precious leather work, european and indian fashion and many more.

The former french government quarter still maintains the architecture of the french colonial epoch and gives the water front its own character.

This "French part" of the city also was the residence of Sri Aurobindo Ghose. He was an important indian philosopher, freedom fighter, poet and Yogi. The ashram, founded by Sri Aurobindo in the year 1926, has brought international reputation to Pondicherry.

The Sri Aurobindo Ashram is open for everybody for meditation. There are different departments which manufacture goods like hand embroidered saris, handmade paper and leather goods.

The central park has sculptures and pillars from the fort of Gingee. The bus station and the railway station of Pondicherry connect with all bigger towns of the surrounding areas.

A little bit outlying from Pondicherry there is a small idyllic lake with a boat rental – an ideal place for excursions.

Good Earth lies about 3km away from the centre of Auroville. Auroville is a universal township in the making for a population of up to 50,000 people from around the world. This international project is based on the vision of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.

Apart from info events one can attend a wide range of cultural activities presented by artists from around the globe.

In Auroville you'll find a german bakery and a french bistro, potteries, many small shops and a community kanteen powered by solar power.

Located in the heart of Auroville there is the Matrimandir – a meditation centre open for visitors and guests from all over the world.

The next entrance to the palm beach one can be reached via Auroville – about 6 km from Good Earth.

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