Auroville is a worldwide community that was established in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa, also referred to as “The Mother.” Auroville, a must-see destination in Pondicherry, was created by renowned architect Roger Anger and is a community where people of many ethnicities, cultures, and religions coexist together. When Sri Aurobindo sought sanctuary in the then-French colony of Pondicherry in March 1914 to avoid arrest by the British, the two brilliant minds who would later found Auroville met there.
The Mother took on the responsibility of realising his vision of a “universal town” after he passed away in 1950. Her driving ideals were Sri Aurobindo’s vision of India as the spiritual leader of the world, his stress on intercultural cooperation, and his ideal of human unity.
Interestingly, she began developing a plan for a city of 50,000 people with architect Roger Anger when she was older than 90!
Under the Mother’s capable leadership, construction of Auroville advanced quickly over the following few years. Finally, the township was formally inaugurated on February 28, 1968. In the outdoor amphitheatre adjacent to the banyan tree, more than 5,000 people from 124 different countries (including India) gathered to hear the Mother read from The Auroville Charter and see the birth of the city of the future.
These representatives also placed a small amount of their home soil into an urn covered in marble at the amphitheatre to represent that the township belongs to everyone and to humanity as a whole. Under a blue canopy set up among the trees, a display on Auroville and its city plan was on view. No matter whatever administration was in charge in the years that followed, Auroville remained prosperous. Together with the neighbourhood villages, the township’s pioneering citizens set to work. There were homes constructed, wells dug, gardens planted, and schools established. Auroville did face some obstacles on the way to where it is now, though. Following the Mother’s passing in 1973, a sour dispute erupted between the locals and the Sri Aurobindo Society, the township’s “parent” organisation.
Finally, the conflict needed to be resolved by the Indian government. To establish the township as a separate legal body and protect its autonomy, the Indian Parliament established the Auroville Foundation Act in 1988.
Today, Auroville is home to more than 2,000 individuals, including people from all parts of India and more than 40 other nations, including writers, artists, chefs, doctors, engineers, teachers, farmers, and students. The still-evolving township, which closely resembles a densely forested university campus, has few paved roads (most have been left that way on purpose) and no urban structures of its own (such as police stations or railway stations).
Nevertheless, it does boast a charming town hall, a number of odd-looking school structures, alternative farms, numerous garden eateries, and a number of one-story homes. Matri Mandir, Auroville’s completely strange meditation hall, must be the community’s defining characteristic.
Matri Mandir, an exquisite gold-plated sphere that took 37 years to complete, is known as the “soul of Auroville.” The building, which is made out of 1,415 enormous gold discs, is suspended above 12 ‘petals’ or themed meditation rooms, each of which is bordered by a themed garden.
As a result, to some observers it appears to be a lotus in full bloom, while to others it resembles a huge golden golf ball.
There is a sizable chamber inside the Matri Mandir with soft streams of water falling down its white marble walls. spiral ramps on all sides leading to a completely silent meditation chamber, which is thought to have originally appeared to the Mother in a number of visions.
It’s interesting to note that nobody owns anything in Auroville. The Auroville Foundation, which is held by the Ministry of Human Resource Development of the Government of India, is the sole owner of every single asset in the township.
Additionally, nobody in this exclusive township uses money inside Auroville. They are instead given account numbers that are linked to their primary accounts, and transactions are made using a “aurocard” that functions like a debit card.
Electricity and basic healthcare services are also free in Auroville. Children are encouraged to learn the subjects of their choice and at their own pace because education is free and there are no tests. In terms of upkeep, the inhabitants help with labour and contribute monthly to the foundation.
The Ideal Place For Self-Exploration Is Auroville
There are roughly 2800 permanent residents in the commune, who came to settle there from 54 different countries. They are all different people, but they all share the desire for personal development. Travellers from all over the world flock to Auroville and Pondicherry, which are both located on the eastern coast 150 kilometres south of Chennai, to experience the laid-back beach life, tropical climate, French colonial culture, hip Mediterranean cafes, and alternative spiritual lifestyle. Therefore, Auroville can be the place for you to find some answers for yourself and have some fun with your self-exploration if you’re just out of college or going through a mid-life crisis.
Architecture
Auroville is a city that is constantly expanding. Since it was first conceived more than 50 years ago, architects from all over the world have contributed to the vision. Auroville has been the centre of architectural research in a number of areas, such as building technology, building materials, and eco-friendly design that successfully blends with the surrounding environment and is found to be efficient. The innovative building and construction methods used here have been recognised with various grants and design prizes. The Auroville Earth Institute is currently active in more than 35 countries, spreading knowledge about earthen and ecological construction.
Study at Auroville
The 5-week Swadharma programme at Auroville is a transformative learning journey with a focus on self-discovery. The programme is based on assisting the youth in discovering their calling and reaching their potential, and is best suited for those between the ages of 18 and 28. Short term programmes and workshops are also offered here.
- Pondicherry is 30 minutes away by car, and Chennai is 3 hours away by car.
- In Auroville, there are no cars; instead, residents use easily rented bicycles and mopeds to get around.