Courtesy:http://www.auroville.org/contents/95
What is Auroville?
Auroville is a universal township in the making for a population of up to 50,000 people from around the world.
How did Auroville begin?
The concept of Auroville - an ideal township devoted to an experiment in human unity - came to the Mother as early as the 1930s. In the mid 1960s the Sri Aurobindo Society in Pondicherry proposed to Her that such a township should be started. She gave her blessings. The concept was then put before the Govt. of India, who gave their backing and took it to the General Assembly of UNESCO. In 1966 UNESCO passed a unanimous resolution commending it as a project of importance to the future of humanity, thereby giving their full encouragement.
Why Auroville?
The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity – in diversity. Today Auroville is recognised as the first and only internationally endorsed ongoing experiment in human unity and transformation of consciousness, also concerned with - and practically researching into - sustainable living and the future cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs of mankind.
When did Auroville start?
On 28th February 1968 some 5,000 people assembled near the banyan tree at the centre of the future township for an inauguration ceremony attended by representatives of 124 nations, including all the States of India. The representatives brought with them some soil from their homeland, to be mixed in a white marble- clad, lotus-shaped urn, now sited at the focal point of the Amphitheatre. At the same time the Mother gave Auroville its 4-pointCharter.
Where is Auroville?
Auroville is located in south India, mostly in the State of Tamil Nadu (some parts are in the State of Puducherry), a few kilometres inland from the Coromandel Coast, approx 150 kms south of Chennai (previously Madras) and 10 kms north of the town of Puducherry.
Who are the Aurovilians?
They come from some 49 nations, from all age groups (from infancy to over eighty, averaging around 30), from all social classes, backgrounds and cultures, representing humanity as a whole. The population of the township is constantly growing, but currently stands at around 2,400 people, of whom approx one-third are Indian.
Overview of the city plan
Peace Area
At the centre of the township lies the Peace Area, comprising the Matrimandir and its gardens, the amphitheatre with the Urn of Human Unity that contains the soil of 121 nations and 23 Indian states, and a lake to help create an atmosphere of calm and serenity and to serve as a groundwater recharge area.
Industrial Zone
A 109-hectare area to the north of the Peace Area, the Industrial Zone, a zone for "green" industries, is focused on Auroville's efforts towards a self-supporting township. It will contain small and medium-scale industries, training centres, arts and crafts, and the city's administration.
Residential Zone
The largest of the four city zones, comprising of 189 hectares, the Residential Zone is bordered by parks on the north, south and west. Main access to the zone will be through the crown road with further traffic distribution via five radial roads that divide the zone into sectors of increasing densities. This zone wants to provide a well-adjusted habitat between individual and collective living. 55% of the area will be green and only 45% built surface, thereby creating an urban density balanced by nature.
International Zone
The International Zone, a zone of 74 hectares to the west of the Peace Area, will host national and cultural pavilions, grouped by continents. Its central focus is to create a living demonstration of human unity in diversity through the expression of the genius and contribution of each nation to humanity
Cultural Zone
Planned on a 93-hectare area, situated to the east of the Peace Area, the Cultural Zone will be a site for applied research in education and artistic expression. Facilities for cultural, educational, art and sports activities will be located in this zone.
Green Belt
The city area with a radius of 1.25 km. will be surrounded by a Green Belt of 1.25 km width. As a zone for organic farms, dairies, orchards, forests, and wildlife areas, this belt will act as a barrier against urban encroachment, provide a variety of habitats for wildlife, and serve as a source for food, timber, medicines etc. and as a place for recreation.
Presently an area of 405 hectares, the Green Belt - though incomplete - stands as an example of successful transformation of wasteland into a vibrant eco-system. Its further planned extension with an additional 800 hectares will make it into a remarkable demonstration site for soil and water conservation, ground water recharge, and environmental restoration. As lungs for the entire township, it will complete the healing process that Auroville started several decades ago.
Visiting the Matrimandir
Visitors and guests should bear in mind that the Matrimandir is not a ‘tourist’ site; it is a place for individual silent concentration. A place which should be visited in an appropriate physical and mental state.
Visits to Matrimandir are free of cost. Bookings for passes to Matrimandir cannot be done by agents, guides or tour operators.
General information on the Matrimandir can be obtained every day at the Information Desk at the Visitors Centre, 9.00 am-1.00 pm and 1.30 pm–5.00 pm. This includes an introductory video on the Matrimandir offered in various languages.
To see Matrimandir from the outside
The Matrimandir Viewing Point, south of the Park of Unity, is a raised garden area which offers visitors a beautiful view of the Matrimandir and its surroundings.
Passes for the Matrimandir Viewing Point can be obtained for free at Auroville's Visitors' Centre, after watching a short introductory video on the Matrimandir.
Timing for issuing of Passes at the Visitors' Centre:
- Monday to Saturday - 9 am to 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm to 4.30 pm
- Sunday - 9.30 am to 1 pm only, afternoon closed.
- Monday to Saturday - 9.30 am to 5.00 pm
- Sunday - 9.30 to 1.30 pm only, afternoon closed.
Way to the Matrimandir Viewing Point: A shaded 10-12 minute walk leads from the Visitors' Centre to the Viewing Point. A free electric shuttle service is available for those who may find it difficult to walk the approx. 1 km distance each way. Free bus service is available for the return journey from the Viewing Point to the Visitors Centre for all those who wish to avail of it.
If you have some more time available for exploring other aspects of Auroville, on the way back a small diversion is possible through the International Zone, with interesting locations like Savitri Bhavan, Unity Pavilion, Bharat Nivas, Tibetan Pavilion, Inuksuk, and then back to Visitors Centre. (Duration around 2 hours)
First visit to the Matrimandir Inner Chamber
- Prior booking is required to access the Matrimandir for concentration at least a day in advance.
- All bookings are accepted on an individual basis and only in person; (e-mail or telephone booking are not available for first-time visitors for concentration).
- There are no group bookings available.
- Bookings are always made for the following or first free day, and are accepted only up to a week in advance.
- An introduction to Matrimandir is provided for all first-time visitors who book for a concentration. An explanation is given on the Matrimandir and its significance, followed by a concentration in the Inner Chamber for 10 to 15 minutes.
Booking must be made in person at the Visitors Centre, any day except Tuesday between 10 and 11 am or 2 and 3 pm, after seeing the 10 minute introductory video called "Matrimandir".
Visitors who have previously concentrated in the Matrimandir
The following conditions apply to regular visitors for concentration and to those who have already attended the introductory visit for concentration in the Matrimandir (see above).
Advance booking is required for every concentration in the Inner Chamber or Petal Meditation Rooms. A booking may be made:
- by calling (0413) 2622204 between 10 and 11.30 am any day except Tuesday or
- by email to mmconcentration@auroville.org.in from 3 days in advance up to 7 days in advance. Confirmation of such bookings will be done by return mail with booking numbers and other details.
Concentration time in the Inner Chamber
- 9.35 to 10.05 am.
- Last entry allowed into the Inner Chamber: 9.45 am.
Concentration time in one of the Petal Meditation Rooms
- 9.30 to 10.45 am
- The 12 meditation rooms are normally open all at the same time, but occasionally only a few may be open on a particular day.
- Passes are issued for only one room per visit.
General conditions
The Matrimandir Access Policy is based on the Mother's guidelines.
- Permission is granted to those who have seen the videos and exhibitions on Auroville and the Matrimandir in order to have an understanding of the project and the Mother's vision of it. This may be done by making an initial visit to the Visitors Centre of Auroville.
- Requests are attended to in the order of receiving them, and can be made up to seven days in advance. The number of places is limited.
- On the day of appointment, those with a booking have to reach the Visitors Centre no later than 9 am, from where they will be transported to the Matrimandir by one of the Auroville electric shuttles.
- Passes for concentration will be issued at the Visitors Centre on the day of appointment, and shortly before the departure to Matrimandir with the shuttle.
- Bags, cameras and cell phones etc., are not allowed within the Park of Unity (the Matrimandir Gardens ) Visitors may either make their own arrangement for leaving their belongings behind, or can deposit them at the Access Office of the Matrimandir. However, Matrimandir Management will not be responsible for damage to or loss of items deposited at the Access Office. Cell phones have to be switched off before depositing.
- Visitors are advised not to bring valuables with them.
- Photographs may be taken only from a designated area outside the Park of Unity.
- Media persons wanting to take photos/films must obtain advance permission from:
- Cleanliness: the cooperation of all is requested to keep the Matrimandir and its twelve Petal rooms in immaculate condition.Touching any surface inside the structures is to be avoided. Cleanliness of body and garments is indispensable.
- Children below 10 are not allowed inside the Park of Unity and the Matrimandir and will be asked to stay back at the Visitors Centre with a family member.
- Absolute silence is required inside the Matrimandir and the 12 meditation rooms in the Petals, around the ‘Lotus Pond' below the Matrimandir, and in the area under the Banyan Tree. Kindly help us maintain the atmosphere at the highest level.
- In case of rain or if the pathways and Garden areas are too muddy, the Matrimandir will be closed and all bookings for the day will be cancelled.
- All those who have booked their visit for concentration are expected to reach the Auroville Visitors' Centre gate no later than 9 am on the day of appointment.
- Visitors are expected to park their vehicles at the Visitors' Centre Parking and avail themselves of the free shuttle service provided.
- The last shuttle back from the Matrimandir to the Visitors' Centre is at about 11.30 am.
- Please note that it is not possible to accommodate late comers.
- Matrimandir reserves the right to refuse entry, cancel a visit or request a person to leave the Park of Unity on account of being under the influence of alcohol, bringing a person under age, making unauthorized audio, video or photographic recordings, or behaving in a manner which does not correspond with the above guidelines or is incompatible with the ideals and spirit of Matrimandir and Auroville.
- Matrimandir management may modify the above timing and procedures without prior notice. For up to date information on Auroville and the Matrimandir, kindly visit this website.
Auroville, 'the City of Dawn', is one of those ideas that anyone with idealistic leanings will love: an international community dedicated to peace, harmony, sustainable living, and 'divine consciousness', where people from across the globe, ignoring creed, colour and nationality, work together to build a universal, cash-free, non-religious township and realise good old human unity.
Outside opinions of Auroville's inhabitants range from admiration to accusations of self-indulgent escapism. Imagine over 100 small settlements scattered across the Tamil countryside, with 2300-odd residents of 43 nationalities. Nearly 60% of Aurovillians are foreign, and most new members require more funds than most Indians are ever likely to have. But the vibe you'll receive on a visit will probably be positive, and the energy driving the place is palpable.
Some 12km northwest of Puducherry, Auroville was founded in 1968 on the inspiration of 'the Mother', co-founder of Puducherry's Sri Aurobindo Ashram, and her philosophy still guides it. Aurovillians run a huge variety of projects ranging from schools and IT to organic farming, renewable energy and handicrafts production, employing 4000 to 5000 people from nearby villages.
The Auroville website (www.auroville.org) is an encyclopedic resource.
Courtesy:http://www.auroville.org/contents/95
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