Looking For A Budget Weekend In Pondy, Book Yourself At This Guesthouse In Auroville

Eden of Zen, a guesthouse in Auroville, is perfect for travellers on a budget. The guest house has a holistic approach, and is set in acres of forest within close reach of the beach.

The guest house has been designed and constructed with he intention reflecting elements of nature, peace and harmony. The Eden of Zen is set in 10 acres of Pondicherry’s pristine forests, and also has a restaurant under a 100-year old Mango tree. White picnic furniture, greenery and peaceful statues of Buddha adorn the property.

The rooms are neatly appointed and the decor is colour coordinated to match the theme of elements — such as the Agni room, which is furnished with vibrant shades of red, while the Amber room named after the sky, comes with accents of blue. Vayu, Akasha and Antariksha are dormitories that are ideal for backpackers and are priced at a steal.

The restaurant, Bodhi Tree, is set around an ancient 100-year-old Mango tree. The menu offers a selection of international cuisines, with a mocktail {no alcohol unfortunately} menu. While the menu maybe be simple, the restaurant is a bustling space for musicians, flea markets and local performance artistes. Throw in regular events for movies, karaoke and ladies nights, and you have a community space that is busy throughout the year amongst its guests and the residents of Auroville.

The guest house is located in the heart of Auroville, which is like a little town in itself with plenty of  historic sites, boutiques and cafes. While the beach is only a five minute drive away, the main town of Pondicherry is a 15 minute drive where the heritage French and Indian neighbourhoods coexist with a canal running in between. The French side has plenty of restaurants that serve a Franco-Tamilian kind of cuisine along with tasteful bars and music, promising a good night ahead.

We saved the best news for last. The Eden Of Zen is also pet-friendly.