My last week in India (before the come-back in 2 months) began with a meeting of concentration within the Matrimandir, the giant golden golf ball of Auroville. After a short introductory session on Auroville, our guide, an Englishman of about sixty years, we ushered in the monument. With instructions to observe complete silence and don a pair of white socks. Via a corridor Access to the interior, we see a small fountain located below the Matrimandir. All around the Indian and European workers employed in the construction of gardens. They are also very detailed part of the dream of the Mother, the original dream of Matrimandir. Inside, a large empty room with white marble, lit by an orange light very diffuse. Two ramps opposite helically along the walls, provide access to the room concentration at the very top of the building. This is where we settled on white carpets arranged around a crystal optics, the center of a room round. Only one ray of light filter through the top of the room and just light up the crystal, which in turn reflects the light in the room. The session lasted 15 minutes in total silence. I have not really been able to concentrate but it allowed me to clearly see the scene. Unfortunately photo point was of course strictly prohibited.
A bus then brought me to Mamallapuram, where I still am today. It is a small city of 15,000 inhabitants on the coast, which is somewhat reminiscent of Hampi: dozens of small temples on a fairly large area, a landscape of huge rocks which hold in balance magically. The most famous is the Krishna Butter Ball, favored by tourists for photos deficient. In the same area is a relief of several tens of meters into the rock and carved depictions of deities and Hindu myths. Other temples are carved into the stones around, all in a small well-maintained park and crowded with tourists. 
In the main street, dozens of small souvenir shops and jewelers are aligned in the middle of the many guest-house restaurants and comfortable lounge. We hear everywhere the sound of hammers 
and chisels, some stonemasons even offer introductions to passersby. At the end of the village, the beach is invaded by small fishing boats and men mend their nets. Their catches end up in the same restaurants for tourists. Walking a little further along the beach you can see the Shore Temple, a small temple began in the 7th century and dedicated to Shiva. The area around Mamallapuram contain other monuments and sights. I will rent a bike this afternoon to visit the Tiger Temple and the edge of crocodiles. 
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