Auroville is a planned township situated in Viluppuram district around 150 kms south of Chennai and has certain parts in Pondicherry in India. The universal township aimed at fostering peace and progressive harmony was initially conceptualised by Sri Aurobindo, an indian guru, poet, philosopher and nationalist. However, the concept was brought into existence by his collaborator, Mirra Alfassa, (known as ‘The Mother’) as early as 1930s. She was a French spiritual guru, an occultist and worshipped as a female incarnation of the divine. The notion was later worked upon, advanced and showcased to the Government of India, who played an eminent role as an espousal and took it to the General Assembly of UNESCO. In 1966, UNESCO extolled the significance of the undertaking and accorded to pass a concerted resolution, stating it as a project of value and importance to the future of humanity whilst being a source of encouragement. Architect Roger Anger designed this spectacular masterpiece in the year 1968. It is acknowledged as the sole internationally endorsed progressive experiment that proclaimed and promulgated worldwide harmony and peace among individuals along with transformation of consciousness as well as conduct a pragmatic indagation on the concept of sustainable living and subsequent social, religious, cultural and environmental needs of humankind. An inauguration ceremony was held on 28th February 1968 to commemorate the successful implementation and inception of the future universal township. Around 5000 people including representatives of 124 nations, convened near a tree at the centre of the township and had to mix the soil that they brought from their homeland in a white marble- clad, lotus shaped urn of human unity, that is situated at the focal point of the amphitheatre. The 4-point charter was simultaneously given by ‘The Mother’ that delineated her vision for Auroville.
Auroville is cleped after the name of Sri Aurobindo and is well renowned for propagating the theory of Integral yoga with the world at large, construction of a magnificent 29-meter towering gold dome, organisation and establishment of a functional town in the desert area, acquiring the prodigious quintessential glass globe in the world as well as emphasising the need to incorporate healthy products such as spirulina seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, sprouted sunflower seeds along with several other healthy options and blazoning their enormous benefits essential for the overall well being of an individual.
As per the inceptive idea, about 50,000 residents were likely to inhabit in the universal township. However, only around 400 persons from over 20 nations co-existed in this township and the subsequent years that followed; observed a drastic proliferation in the rise of the number of individuals that amounted to about 2000 individuals from over 40 nations. The recent research and compilation of work, states that, there are about 3000 residents from 59 nations across the world from various social classes, backgrounds and cultures and constituted an estimated figure of about two thirds from India, Germany and France. The community sundered into distinct neighbourhoods in the form of English, Tamil, French and Sanskrit names like Aarti, Aspiration, Auromodel, La ferme and issai ambalam etc.
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Why is Auroville known as the “City of Dawn”?
Auroville is known as the “City of Dawn” owing to its roots in the French language, “Aurore” which denotes ‘dawn’ and ‘Vile” indicates city. As its bedrock is the manifestation of humanity around the world; any person is liable to become a resident of this amicable city. Although, it is imperative for prospective residents to have a trial period of a minimum of 1 year and be disposed to let go of attachments to physical assets, faith and politics. It is also envisaged as an area; where people are valued in terms of their capabilities and their utility is merely not measured in monetary terms or their physical possessions. The main objective is to bring awareness with respect to social consciousness; wherein each and every individual actively partakes to contribute as per his or her capacity to the community at large. Every Aurovillian is bound to serve as a volunteer for five hours on a quotidian basis and monetary transactions are strictly restricted between them. The ultimate ideology is to exhibit one’s work in a way that boosts the welfare of the community in general as well as augments the person’s capabilities.
The map of the city is centralised about the Peace Area that incorporates the city’s most prominent and notable paragon: the Matrimandir, which is a colossus golden domed temple that upholds the value of silence as a whole. There are four zones of the township, divaricating from the centre namely; the industrial, international, residential and cultural zones. These zones are truly phenomenal as they provide spaces for exhibiting human unity, aesthetic expression, carry out pertinent research activities and do not limit themselves to just dispense areas for mere existence of individuals. Furthermore, the city zones are encircled by a broad, green belt that accommodates numerous numbers of organic farms, botanical garden, forests, a seed bank as well as water catchment areas.
Apart from this, the ‘Visitors centre’ and ‘Auroville beach’ are also noteworthy places that you can’t just afford to miss; if you plan to make it here any time soon. The visitors centre is the focal point for visitors and guests to learn and understand the history, ideals and principles, spiritual works by renowned propagators of the township and present-day manifestation of the same. It harbours in a complex of buildings comprising of exhibitions, astounding boutiques for Auroville handicrafts and goods, information and guest reception, great cafes, a nice bookshop and a food court. You can be sure to treat your taste buds with delicious food as the place is famous for a variety of lip-smacking dishes and is equipped with a lot of eatery options.
Other than this, Auroville boasts about the remarkable places that one ought to not avoid or give it a miss in particular such as Savitri Bhawan, Verité learning centre (For serenity and meditation), cultural pavilion and a quiet healing centre etc. among many others.
Post the coronavirus outbreak and as per the latest reports, the township has reopened its ‘Visitors centre’ and ‘Matrimandir’
viewing point for access to the public; whilst following all the government restrictions and safety protocols. Although, the Matrimandir’s inner meditation chamber is still expected to be closed until further instructions. So, people who are interested to visit the centre and Matrimandir point have to make the booking online in advance, on the main portal of the website i.e https://visit.auroville.org . However, there will be a restricted number of entries per hour to eschew the mess of overcrowding.
In a nutshell, visitors centre is open and welcome to all the people who would like to visit the township at present. All the units of the centre namely, astounding boutiques, exhibitions, bookshop, lovely cafes and several other outlets would remain functional and cater the best of its services to people at large.
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The Auroville foundation, have taken upon themselves to ensure that all safety protocols as per the standard operating systems are followed in a diligent manner from time to time.
A sample picture depicting the property and buildings in the township
Matrimandir at Auroville
Aurovillians have transformed a barren desert into a green living space.
Auroville as an experiment in sustainable living – Sadhana Forest is a community within Auroville that is working towards reforestation and promoting sustainable community living.
Auroville Beach
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