I visited Pune with some friends for just a few hours, but those few hours were enough to give me a taste of the city. On the surface, it felt like any other metropolitan Indian city, but there was definitely something special about Pune. We first visited the area where all the IT companies are located, and that visit was simply amazing. I saw offices of almost every big IT company I had ever heard of (Infosys, Wipro, TCS and many more). The architecture stood out as well. The buildings had unusual shapes, but they looked modern and impressive. I am sure the best IT techniques and futuristic designs were used to create them.

Everywhere in the city there was construction going on. Huge glass-windowed buildings lined the streets, and traffic was heavy, just like in any other big Indian city. After exploring the IT hub, we decided to visit the famous Osho Ashram in Pune. And that experience was… quite surprising. When I hear the word ashram, I imagine a simple, peaceful place dedicated to spirituality and meditation. But Osho Ashram felt more like a five-star resort, filled with wealthy visitors from around the world. At the entrance, there was even a reception counter, where I saw one Indian and one foreigner speaking in English. That was my first shock.

When we asked about how to enter, they handed us a pamphlet explaining the rules. The entry fee was ₹850 per day, just to visit the ashram. On top of that, they required every visitor to have an HIV test. If someone did not already have the test results, they could get tested right there before entering. I could not imagine why an HIV test would be necessary to enter an ashram. Later, I learned that Osho had very different ideas about sex and was very serious about issues like HIV and AIDS.

Even then, I did not fully understand what kind of approach required mandatory HIV testing just to enter. But some locals explained that it was fairly common to find sexual partners inside the ashram, which made the rule more clear. In that case, I guess it was a smart precaution, though definitely unusual for something called an “ashram.” This five-star ashram also offers accommodation at ₹5,000 per night. For that amount, one could easily stay at a luxurious hotel in India. But then again, a five-star ashram seems to deserve five-star prices.

Overall, I really enjoyed learning about the ashram and its unique setup. Maybe someday, when I have enough money, I will stay there myself and experience what it is like to live in a true five-star ashram. 🙂