Sri Aurobindo Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950) was an influential Indian philosopher, yogi, guru, poet, and nationalist. Born Aurobindo Ghose in Calcutta, he studied at the University of Cambridge before returning to India in 1893. Initially focused on the Indian independence movement, he became a leader in the nascent political scene, even being imprisoned by British authorities.

In 1910, Sri Aurobindo shifted his focus to spirituality and the development of human consciousness. He founded the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, which became a center for spiritual growth and his evolutionary philosophy of Integral Yoga. His vision integrated yoga and modern science, aiming for a divine life on earth. Among his many writings, the seminal work “The Life Divine” expounds upon his philosophy.

Interestingly, from 1884 to 1887, a young Aurobindo lived at 49 St Stephen’s Avenue in the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, London. This was during his formative years studying at St. Paul’s School in West London before moving on to King’s College, Cambridge. The multicultural Hammersmith and Fulham area was a fitting place for the future global thinker to spend his early years. Today, a blue plaque marks this significant location in the spiritual leader’s life journey.

Sri Aurobindo’s teachings continue to inspire spiritual seekers worldwide, with his Pondicherry ashram still thriving. He was also nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Nobel Peace Prize. His life and works stand as a testament to the synthesis of Eastern spirituality and Western thought, leaving a lasting impact on Indian philosophy and the global spiritual community.