IMPORTANT DATES IN THE ASHRAM

Shortly after the Siddhi day in November 1926, Sri Aurobindo retired from daily contact with his disciples and placed the Mother in charge of their care. Thereafter he saw them only a few times a year on what came to be known as Darshan days. The Sanskrit word "Darshan" means "seeing" and refers, in this context, to seeing Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and to receive their blessings.

At first there were three Darshan days: the Mother's birthday, Sri Aurobindo's birthday, and the Siddhi day. In 1939 a fourth day was added: the Mother's final arrival in Pondicherry. On these occasions, Sri Aurobindo and the Mother sat together in a small room, while the sadhaks and devotees approached one by one and offered flowers and bowed down at their feet.

After Sri Aurobindo left his body in 1950, the Mother continued to give Darshan on these days. From 1963 onwards, she gave Darshan from the terrace for five or ten minutes as she gazed upon those who had gathered in the street below.

A Brief Time line

15 August 1872	Sri Aurobindo's birthday Aurobindo Ghose is born in Calcutta. At the age of seven he leaves for London.
21 February 1878	The Mother's birthday The Mother is born in Paris to a Persian father and an Egyptian mother. She is named Mirra Alfassa.
24 April 1920	The Mother's final arrival in Pondicherry The Mother first visits Pondicherry in 1914; she returns to settle permanently in 1920.
24 November 1926	Siddhi day or the day of Victory Sri Aurobindo experiences the descent of Krishna into his body. He explains, "The descent of Krishna would mean the descent of the Overmind Godhead preparing, though not itself actually bringing, the descent of Supermind and Ananda."
02 December 1943	The Mother inaugurates the opening of a new school The Mother starts a school for 20 children and becomes herself one of its first teachers. This school later grows into Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education.
5 December 1950	Sri Aurobindo's Mahasamadhi day Sri Aurobindo leaves his body.
9 December 1950	Sri Aurobindo's body laid to rest
29 February 1956	Day of the Supramental Manifestation The Mother has the concrete experience of the descent of the Supramental Consciousness on Earth.
17 November 1973	The Mother's Mahasamadhi day The Mother leaves her body.
20 November 1973	The Mother's body laid to rest