Start Date: July 7, 2026
End Date: July 12, 2026
See our ALBUM for more photos and vidoes
from the workshop.
The second part of the 2026 edition of ‘Invoking Shakti’, one of BhāratShakti’s ongoing learning initiatives for children and youth, was held at Sri Aurobindo Society, during the month of July 2026. The first part of the workshop focused on the theme ‘India and I’ and was conducted for students from grades 6th to 10th at Creative School, Bengaluru.
The second part was designed exclusively for students of ages 16-19 and was offered as an educational tour and workshop at Pondicherry and Auroville. A group of 32 students and 10 teachers from participated in this programme. Arrangements for their stay were made at International Guest House.
Day 1
After the group settled in and had lunch and a brief rest at Sri Aurobindo Society campus, students were given a brief introduction on Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Sri Aurobindo Society and Auroville. The group then visited Sri Aurobindo Ashram where they meditated for about 30 minutes.
Next stop was Sri Aurobindo Handmade Paper factory where they learned about the department’s history and vision and some of the the special processes they use to make beautiful paper. The idea of work as offering was also brought up during the interaction. Dr. Beloo Mehra, Mr. Narendra Murty and Ms. Biswajita Mohapatra from BhāratShakti accompanied the group.
After some snacks and relaxation at Sri Aurobindo Society campus, the group went out for exploring the town.
Day 2
Day 2 began with the group boarding a bus to go to Auroville. Dr. Beloo Mehra and Ms. Biswajita Mohapatra from BhāratShakti accompanied the group.
First stop was at Savitri Bhavan where they had an interactive session with Helmut, Dhanalakshmi and Chitra. The interaction touched upon topics such as Savitri as the Veda of the Future that Sri Aurobindo has revealed for humanity, the spirit of Auroville which has brought together people together from around the world, what is meant by Auroville as a place of unending education, a brief history of Savitri Bhavan, how the Mother guided Huta for doing the Savitri paintings, and more.
The students and teachers spent time going through the exhibitions on the Life and Works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, before going through the Savitri paintings gallery.
After enjoying lunch at Solar Kitchen, Auroville’s community kitchen, the group visited Unity Pavilion. There they interacted with Preeti Mahurkar, who shared insights into Sri Aurobindo’s vision of inner human unity, constant aspiration for progress and growth in consciousness that is important to be a true Aurovillian, and Auroville as a hub for material and spiritual research.
The group also learned about the history and significance of the Peace Table, culminating in a collective concentration around the Peace Table to invoke inner and outer peace. The group later proceeded for a fun evening at the beach.
Day 3
This day was also reserved for visiting Auroville. Mr. Narendra Murty and Ms. Chitra Kolluru from BhāratShakti accompanied the group. The group first watched the introductory video on the conception and creation of Auroville along with understanding the Mother’s Vision for Auroville and Matrimandir. Following this they proceeded for concentration in the Matrimandir inner chamber.
For the majority of the participants, it was their first experience inside Matrimandir and each one approached it with curiosity and anticipation. After concentrating in the inner chamber, participants picked various Petal Rooms where they wished to meditate depending on their nature and inclination. Afterwards, they sat in small groups around the Banyan tree and slowly soaked in the serene atmosphere.
Next stop was the nearby Irumbai temple. They had researched some of the folklore around the temple and were keen to know more and see it for themselves. One of the teachers read out the story shared by Dr. Beloo Mehra on the Irumabi temple and how the land of Auroville was transformed after being freed from the curse that assailed it. The next 30 minutes went in soaking ancient lore, religious spirit and chatting by the nearby pond next to the ancient temple.
After lunch and relaxation at the Solitude farm, the group engaged in an interactive session where they went over some of what they had learnt about Auroville’s vision and the significance of Matrimandir and recapitulated their morning experience. Then it was time for some fun at the beach before heading back to Pondicherry.
Later that evening, the group participated in the collective meditation at Ashram Playground where they experienced the delight of witnessing the Mother’s Chair placed in front of Spiritual Map of India. After dinner at the Ashram Dining Room, the group headed back to their guesthouse where they engaged in a relaxed session on day’s reflections and writing in their journals.
Day 4
After visiting the Ashram, Savitri Bhavan, Matrimandir and meeting a few Aurovilleans, the participants were ready for some discussions and seeking answers to questions that came up over the past 3 days.
Day 4 began early with catching the sunrise amidst a partially cloudy morning at the Promenade. After breakfast, participants were ready, teeming with questions and observations on the Ashram life and Auroville, especially the cashless economy in Auroville as well as why there were only 3000 inhabitants in Auroville. The facilitators from BhāratShakti, Dr. Beloo Mehra, Mr. Narendra Murthy and Ms. Chitra Kolluru, patiently shared their perspective and understanding with the students.
The students noticed that Sri Aurobindo Ashram with its distributed buildings and multiple departments that make it self-sufficient looked nothing like the popular concept of an ashram and there was some interesting conversation around the same. They also had questions on where Auroville currently was in relation to the Mother’s vision and what were the problems that ailed it. The difference between the purpose of the Ashram and Auroville as stated by the Mother was discussed and absorbed.
Following the questions and answers, Dr. Beloo Mehra took up the topic, India and I, covering aspects such as Identity, Nation and Culture that defines India. Sri Aurobindo’s definition of a nation, elaborating on a nation’s body, mind and soul was taken up in detail which really made the students look at the nation in a new light, one that has cyclical stages of development and evolves just like a human soul.
The discussion was followed by a 2-hour Theatre Workshop conducted by Ms. Rashi Bunny, an award-winning theatre personality, theatre educator, and Founder Director of Banjara Theatre. True to her craft, her approach was unique as through a flurry of contrasting instructions, fast-paced movements, and a firm attitude to create, she launched on an activity-rich pandemonium with the participants. She got the group to perform a set of fast paced movements and activities that needed coordination, balance and vigorous activity with mind-body- breath to work in tandem.
Ms. Rashi Bunny could achieve a state in the adoloscents that spurred creativity. She impelled them to action infused with intention and enthusiasm and energy and power and above all courage. The courage to express oneself, to go beyond self-doubt and to say what one has to say. It was a sure method to spur creative action in a short period of time.
The participants expressed in the brightest of colours and creative expression. A stick, used as a prop, took all forms from a cricket bat, to Rama’s bow to a wailing child. Gauging the potential of the teenagers, Rashi moved into the ‘navarasas’, which allowed the participants to experience and express different emotions from the effervescent ‘Shringar’ rasa to the pure ‘Shanta’, offering them a sneak peek into the world of performing arts.
The grand finale of the workshop was tying it all back to the spirit of India. ‘My India and I’ was the theme; the group preformed and presented their thoughts freely as they questioned cleanliness, corruption, laziness, social inequality and many other ills that ail our society.
The theatre workshop ended on a high both on creative thought and confidence to perform. The students brought their learnings and experience to the table in a joyful sharing that followed. The session concluded with a recap and reflection of the learnings.
Following this workshop and some evening snacks, the group headed to Ashram for collective meditation near the Samadhi.
Day 5
On day 5, the programme started with a presentation and discussion on ‘Identity, Nation and Culture’. The question of what constitutes the Body, Life, Mind and Soul of a Nation was discussed with the help of relevant examples and illustrations. Questions relating to national identity and culture were also discussed. The presentation was mainly interactive where many questions from the students were addressed.
After a Juice Break, the students were divided into six groups and were given an assignment to work upon. Each group was asked to discuss two questions – What is my vision for a new India? and What is my responsibility towards making this new India. The participants spent time discussing these questions amongst themselves, and prepared a short presentation which they were to share with the larger group.
The students shared what changes they would like to see in India. Many interesting views relating to corruption, good governance, civic sense, educational models were presented by different groups; every member of each group was given the opportunity to speak. The insightful presentations of the students were an eye-opener for all. It was indeed very heartening to see how perceptive and optimistic the youngsters were about the future.
The post lunch session was conducted by Dr. Mollika Ganguly, a PhD in Yoga and currently working with Auroville Foundation on youth programmes. She engaged the students in a conversation on the need for removing our colonised way of looking at our cultrual traditions including Yoga. She then facilitated some relaxation exercises for the group. Dr. Ganguly is also an accomplished singer; so for the rest of her session she gave the particiapnts a brief practical orientation to the sapta swaras, after which she led the group in a collective session of singing devotional songs.
The day ended with a visit to the Manakula Vinayak temple and dining out in a restaurant.
Day 6
The last and concluding day of the 6-day event, started with an early breakfast at the Ashram Dining hall. Well fed and enriched with insights and perspective over the last 5 days, the group arrived with anticipation to have answers on certain topics from the previous day and with expectation of a wrap up of all they had learnt so far.
Dr. Beloo Mehra started the day with a plunge into the ancient Indian traditions through a detailed explanation of Varnas, Ashramas and Purusharthas. Mr. Narendra Murthy then took up a comparison of the Vedic and Greek religious histories and their paganistic and polytheistic characteristics while explaining the fundamental differences in the spiritual and psychic aspects of the two traditions.
Dr. Beloo Mehra then took up Dharma as a concept and explained its effervescent relevance through the changing times, establishments and social roles and its epitome as the inner guide (swadharma).
Ms. Chitra Kolluru then wrapped up the theme of ‘Indianness in a globalizing world’, through a concluding talk on how young India can recognize the relevance and good fortune of being born and raised Indian and how they can make a sincere attempt to know and love India. All these discussions were eye-opening for the participants, especially the students and gavethem much to reflect upon.
The last leg of the event was a visit to the Subramanya Bharti museum, which housed the works letters and memories of the famous Tamil nationalist and poet. Before the visit, the participants were given a brief introduction about Subramanya Bharati, especially focusing on his deep friendship with Sri Aurobindo.
The workshop came to a conclusion with a serene closing ceremony where each participant lit a lamp in silence strengthening their aspiration to love and serve Mother India. A group of students also recited Sri Aurobindo’s Hymn to Durga.
After an early dinner, the group left for station to catch their train to Bengaluru.
Overall the tour and workshop was a fulfilling week-long experience for all the participants and facilitators.
See our ALBUM for more photos and vidoes from the workshop.
See HERE for various works we have done with Creative School for the past several years.
To learn more about BhāratShakti workshops, see HERE.