Auroville is town founded by Parisian mystic - Mira Alfassa in the year 1968 with an aim to build a place where people from across the globe could live in peace and harmony. Sprawls over a massive area of 20 sq km, the town of Auroville were designed by Roger Anger - a famous French architect. Amidst forest and beach areas, Auroville frames a complex yet an interesting experimental settlement where people with different religions, nationalities, beliefs and cultures live together peacefully. With its beautiful concept, this place is reckoned to be one of the top tourist attractions in Pondicherry. During the inauguration of Auroville, also known as ‘The City of Dawn’, 124 countries’ soil was kept in the urn and was mixed with each other to signifies the universal concord. At present, Auroville billets around 2000 people in its settlements which are known by the names - Fraternity, Grace, Certitude, Transformation, and Fertile. However, an interesting fact to know here is that more than two-thirds of residents of Auroville are non-Indians. The Matrimandir is one of the major highlights of this must-visit travel destination in Pondicherry.
Spread over an area of 62 acres of land, Matrimandir is a construction where people come to attain a mental peace through silent concentration. The architectural design of Matrimandir includes a 12-sides inner chamber made up of white marble. Besides, there is also a 70 cm optical glass globe right at the centre of the marble. The buildings at this beautiful settlement boast a magnificent Indian as well as the modern-western architectural design. However, a narrow lane leads to all these buildings at Auroville. Living a harmonious lifestyle, the people of Auroville are very much a part of agriculture, education and healthcare, commerce and handicraft, administration, alternative technology projects. Along with that, the place also hosts a number of interesting activities like green practices, art & culture, social enterprise, health & wellness, media & communication and more.
After entering Pondicherry, you can hire a bus from Pondicherry Bus Stand that will drop you at Auroville Visitor’s Centre, which is located at a distance of 12 km. However, from the railway station, you can take an auto or can also hire a taxi to Auroville Visitor’s Centre. From the railway station, Auroville Centre is some 15 km away.
Best Time to Visit
One can visit Auroville any time during a year. However, the best time to visit Auroville is winter season. Starting from October, the winter season in Pondicherry is the most pleasant time to explore the region. The season ends in the month of March.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
There are a number of enthralling attractions located in the near distance of Auroville.
Auroville (/ˈɔːrəvɪl/; City of Dawn French: Cité de l'aube) is an experimental township in Viluppuram district, mostly in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, with some parts in the Union Territory of Pondicherry in India. It was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa (known as "the Mother") and designed by architect Roger Anger.
any time during a year. However, the best time to visit Auroville is winter season. Starting from October, the winter season in Pondicherry is the most pleasant time to explore the region.
Generally we recommend visitors to start at the Visitors Centre and spend, if possible, a few hours to a day. For those with more time, a week to ten days in Auroville is advised for a first visit.
Pondicherry bus stand is 13.5 km away from the Auroville. It will take you around half an hour to reach Auroville. Once you board the bus you can ask the driver to drop you at Auroville which is on the ECR road. You won't face in problem as there are many buses which will help you to reach Auroville.
No particular formality is required for visiting Auroville. However, authorisations are needed for filmmakers who wish to shoot a film or video in Auroville. For this purpose they should contact the Indian Consulate in their home countries and/or the Media Interface office in Archives Building, Town Hall.
Those seeking to concentrate in the Matrimandir are requested to inquire at the Information Desk of the Visitors Centre after visiting the Viewing Point. Prior booking of at least a day or two in advance is required to access the Matrimandir.
Foreigners that wish to do a voluntary service for more then 6 months have to get a recommendation for an Entry Visa from the Auroville Foundation, the legal umbrella of Auroville. This applies also for Student Internships.
While a number of Auroville residents have their own resources including financial support from families or friends, the majority depend on the 'maintenance' (a monthly sum which is usually just enough to meet the basic needs of living in Auroville) that they receive from the commercial unit or community service they ...
Auroville has a number of communities/projects that you can volunteer with. Some of them, like Sadhana Forest even provide free accommodation if you choose to volunteer with them. Even if you're not interested in volunteering, you can find guesthouses for accommodation much like any other town.
To avoid risk, cover your body, and don't lie on the beach alone, to sunbathe. Dress by local standards: Both men and women should wear modest clothes such as long pants or long shorts and tops with sleeves; no short- shorts, bathing costumes, or halter-tops.
If you are an Indian citizen, please register with the Entry Service at their office in the Town Hall within one week of your arrival. Only when you have done so can the process of joining Auroville begin. Both Newcomers and all Aurovilians contribute a fixed monthly amount towards Auroville.
Entry to Auroville is Free. Private vehicles are not encouraged ahead of the paid Vehicle Parking Lot. To travel within the campus you have bicycles for hire. At the entrance there is a Visitors Centre.
The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity. It wants to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities, Mirra Alfassa had said. 4.
Necessities like healthcare, education, and electricity are freely accessible here. There is no hierarchy, everyone is equal, and all the decisions are taken by the community collectively. This city is entirely cashless. Instead of cash, the Aurovillians use an Auro card.
4 days is usually enough to explore all the tourist attractions in Pondicherry. In case you don't have so much time, 2-2.5 days are good enough to visit all the major landmarks. It really helps to have a well-planned itinerary or shortlisting a couple of places you would want to visit.
Also, Tuesdays are off for any kind of booking. The temple is open for its visitors from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all days for general queries. However, to get an access pass, you'll need to come in between 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM from Monday to Saturday and in between 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Sundays.
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