Auroville

About Auroville

Auroville, often called the 'City of Dawn,' is an experimental township in Viluppuram district, Tamil Nadu, India, near Puducherry. It was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa (The Mother) as a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, politics, and nationalities. The purpose of Auroville is to realize human unity. The Matrimandir, a golden sphere at its heart, serves as a place for individual silent concentration. Auroville is designed as a spiraling galaxy, with the Matrimandir as its center, surrounded by various zones including residential, industrial, cultural, and international. It is a unique blend of sustainable living, spiritual practice, and innovative architecture, attracting visitors and residents from across the globe who are dedicated to the ideals of universal harmony and sustainable development. The community is constantly evolving, striving towards self-sufficiency and a deeper understanding of human potential.

History

Auroville's concept emerged from the integral yoga philosophy of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother (Mirra Alfassa). The idea for a 'universal town' was first publicly articulated by The Mother in 1965. The township was inaugurated on February 28, 1968, in a ceremony where youth from 124 nations and 23 Indian states placed a handful of earth from their homelands into a marble urn, symbolizing universal unity. The Matrimandir, meaning 'Temple of the Mother,' began construction in 1971 and took 37 years to complete, becoming the spiritual core of Auroville. The initial master plan was designed by French architect Roger Anger. Over the decades, Auroville has faced numerous challenges, including funding issues, organizational disputes, and the complexities of establishing a self-sustaining community from scratch. Despite these hurdles, it has grown into a vibrant international community dedicated to its founding ideals of peace, sustainability, and human unity. Its history is a testament to the persistent vision of its founders and residents.