Auroville, 'the City of Dawn', is a territory that anyone with utopian leanings will find captivating. It's a global society devoted to harmony, sustainability, and 'divine consciousness', where individuals from across the world, ignoring ideology, colour, and nationality, work together to create a universal, cash-free, secular township.
Just 12km northwest of Puducherry, Auroville was established in 1968 by 'the Mother', cofounder of Puducherry's Sri Aurobindo Ashram.
Gathered into the wilderness are further than 100 scattered settlements, with around 2500 inhabitants of 52 nationalities around 60% of Aurovillians are foreign.
Exploring this place offers a glimpse into this self-styled paradise, where you can unwind on the serene setting, the unique beautiful Matrimandir, and the casual warmth.
What's more, you'll discover some fabulous eateries and cafes within Auroville and surrounding towns.
The society helps the region with an assortment of projects, from schools and IT to organic farming, renewable power, and handicrafts production, employing 4000 to 5000 regional residents but like most utopian endeavors, it possesses a shadow, too, and few outsiders condemn Auroville's residents of self-indulgent escapism.
Auroville - The Universal Town
Originated as the 'Universal Town', Auroville is an experimental township where individuals from across the globe of all cultures and beliefs reach and live together in harmony.
This universal township was established on 28 February 1968 with the plan that it will be a location with individuals generous enough to create this a junction of constant education and growth, regardless of their religion, ideology, nationality or culture.
Individuals from 124 nations comprising Indians from 23 distinct states gathered with some of their native soil brought from their motherlands and placed in a marble container.
Presently, over 2,800 individuals from over 195 distinct nationalities are the authorized inhabitants of this township. The Aurovilleans as they name themselves reside together on the beliefs of serenity, harmony, sustainable living, and 'divine consciousness' which was the ideology of the Mother.
Important forestation work was performed by the early Aurovilleans which has made this quondam entirely deserted territory into an enormous patch of greenery.
The experiment was favored by the Govt. of India, and UNESCO approved a resolution in 1966 applauding this as "a project of significance to the destiny of humanity".
Here are the Top Reasons to Visit Auroville
The Matrimandir
The Matrimandir is the most popular landmark within Auroville and it is situated precisely in the center of the town. While the Matrimandir's internal temple is merely available to Aurovillians, traveler permits are accessible for free and must be reserved at least a day in advance.
The Mandir is a determined meditation and attention region and as such there are rules imposed in place to assure meditators aren't bothered. Travelers can get up to the determined viewing region, which renders an incredible vantage position for getting a close glance at the structure.
Serene Beach
Situated straight off the East Coast Road leading to Pondicherry, Auroville Beach is one of the most serene and stunning beaches in the territory. While the water is prohibited for bathing because of rough tides, it is an incredible location for anyone enthusiastic about meditation and fascinates both travellers and Aurovillians in massive numbers. The beach is furthermore famous for being a significant olive ridley nesting ground.
Cafes and Local Food
There are plenty of eateries and cafes in this locale. It has a ton of magnificent cafes, not in terms of the rates they charge but in terms of the cuisines that they have on offer. This is kept in mind to cater to the huge number of foreign travelers that Auroville attracts each year.
The most famous restaurants are The Solar Kitchen and La Terrace. One can locate all kinds of cuisines out here varying from glorious Italian to traditional South Indian cuisine. Auroville is certainly a foodie's bliss.
People
Mirra Alfassa- the originator of the town, acknowledged that Auroville is meant to be a universal community where men and women from all over the globe and of all beliefs can inhabit in peace and harmony above all politics, ideology, and nationalities. The prevalent goal being human harmony.
Culture
It is said, "Auroville is a culture yet to be formulated". As Auroville is an experimental town, it captivates individuals from all over the nation and globally as well.
You can observe a blend of Tamilians, Bengalis, Russians, Koreans, British, etc. The culture, accordingly, is a diverse one. You will hear folk town melody and can further discover a ballet class to go to.
It has cars to travel and likewise bullock carts. There are jazz performances held and similarly a recital of the Vedas. Auroville rejoices in all sorts of festivals- firecrackers on Diwali and cakes on Christmas. Few individuals wear the regular t-shirt and jeans while others choose dhoti-kurta.
Shopping at the Main Road Market
No offbeat location is complete without a travellers' market and Auroville is no different. The primary market in the area is situated on Auroville Main Road and boasts stores, pop-ups, and stalls trading everything from khadi and linen outfits to toys and ethnic jewellry.
The market is moreover famous for handicrafts and household decor commodities, with most of the commodity being sourced locally.
Botanical Gardens
Inaugurated in 2000 on a vacant piece of land, the Auroville Botanical Gardens have currently become one of the most glorious and vastest botanical gardens of its sort in the locality.
The garden began as a project by enthusiastic Aurovillians and presently stretches over 50 acres, showing a completely manmade Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF), which is native to the territory.
The Auroville Botanical Garden is an incredibly famous spot among meditators and prevails among the greenest areas within the township.
Recreational learning
Auroville is solely inhabited by volunteers who have gone on to become inhabitants. One of the fundamental requirements of Auroville is the pursuit of giving back to society. As a consequence, numerous inhabitants organize classes on stuff they are skilled in varying from art and crafts to sculpting.
Various great yoga and meditation classes are exceptionally famous in the town. While most of these classes are exclusively accessible to Aurovillians, there are more than a few that approve travelers as well.
This territory is the model of tranquillity and ascertains as the true retreat for the ones in quest of serenity. The best manner to experience the Auroville ashram is to simply sit in one of the eateries, and talk to some of the inhabitants here about their experience of living in the town.
