Matrubhawan
Sri Aurobindo Institute of Higher Studies & Research
A trust, an ashram-guided school, and a circle of study — carrying the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother across Odisha since 1948.
Long before there was a school, there was a circle.
In 1948, with Sri Aurobindo's own permission, a small study circle began in Odisha under the guidance of Sri Ramakrishna Das — known here as Babaji Maharaj. What grew from it, formally established in 1971, is Matrubhawan: not a school first, but a trust — coordinating study circles, integral-education centres and collective practice across nine zones of the state.
Matrubhawan still reports, today, to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust in Pondicherry, and follows its path. The school most visitors come here for is one part of that older, larger commitment — dedicated, in the Trust's own words, to growing human awareness, spiritual growth, and integral education.
- 1948
- The Study Circle movement reaches Odisha, with Sri Aurobindo's own permission
- 1971
- Matrubhawan is formally established, by the Trustees of New Life Education
- 9
- Zones coordinated across the districts of Odisha, meeting here once a year
Sri Aurobindo & The Mother
Sri Aurobindo taught that a human being is not a finished thing — that mind, character, and a quieter awareness beneath both can go on growing, together, for a whole life. The Mother gave that teaching its daily shape.
At Matrubhawan, the shape is simple: collective prayer at seven each morning, and — on occasion — meditation gathered around the Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo. The subjects taught here are ordinary. The aim behind them is not.
7:00 AM — collective prayer, every day
Integral Education
The mind is grown alongside a quieter awareness, not instead of it.
Guided from Pondicherry
Matrubhawan answers to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, and follows its path.
A Daily Rhythm
Collective prayer each morning; meditation, on occasion, at the Samadhi.
Nine Zones, One Circle
Coordinating study circles and centres across Odisha since 1948.
Nursery to Junior College, under one roof
The school runs from Nursery through Class 10, with a junior college whose Arts wing opened in 1988, followed by Science and Commerce between 2005 and 2012.
Since 1988
Arts
English, MIL, Odia, Economics, Political Science, Psychology.
2005 – 2012
Science
The Science wing of the junior college, affiliated by the Government of Odisha since 2012.
2005 – 2012
Commerce
The Commerce wing, affiliated alongside Science in the same year.
Affiliated with the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha, and the Council of Higher Secondary Education, Odisha.
Nine zones, meeting once a year
Every year, representatives from nine zones across the districts of Odisha gather at Matrubhawan — the same circles that trace back to 1948, still meeting, still coordinated through the Matrubhaban Patra.
Questions people ask about Matrubhawan
What is Matrubhawan?
Matrubhawan is the Odisha home of the movement founded in 1948 to carry the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother — coordinating study circles and integral-education centres, and running a school and junior college in Cuttack.
Is Matrubhawan connected to Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry?
Yes. Matrubhawan reports regularly to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust in Pondicherry and follows its practice of Integral Education.
What is Integral Education?
The educational philosophy of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother — schooling that grows a child's mind and character alongside a quieter inner awareness, not instead of the ordinary curriculum.
What does the school teach?
Nursery through Class 10, plus a junior college with Arts (since 1988), Science and Commerce (2005–2012) wings, permanently affiliated by the Government of Odisha.
Where is Matrubhawan located?
Cuttack, Odisha, India — the Sacred Relics of Sri Aurobindo have been installed here since 1972.
How is Matrubhawan organised across Odisha?
Through nine zones covering districts of the state, whose representatives meet at Matrubhawan once a year; activities are recorded in the Matrubhaban Patra.