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Encyclopedia > Auroville
  ?Auroville
Tamil Nadu • India
Coordinates: 12°00′N 79°29′E / 12, 79.48
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
District(s) Viluppuram
Population 1,880 (2006)
Codes
• Pincode
• Telephone
• 605101
• +0413

Coordinates: 12°00′N 79°29′E / 12, 79.48 Auroville (City of Dawn) is an experimental township in Viluppuram district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India near Puducherry in South India, whose stated purpose is to realize human unity in diversity. It is a popular tourist destination, and has been described as a "New Age metropolis conceived as an alternative exercise in ecological and spiritual living."[1] The township starkly stands out from the surrounding traditional Indian villages and farms.[2] Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links India_Tamil_Nadu_locator_map. ... Image File history File links Locator_Dot. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... Location of Mirzapur and the 82. ... The divisions of a district. ... Viluppuram district in Tamil Nadu, India Viluppuram (also Villupuram and Vizhupuram) is one of the thirty districts which make up Tamil Nadu State situated on the southern tip of India. ... 2006 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Example of a PIN: The PIN code of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh A Postal Index Number or PIN or Pincode is the post office numbering or post code system used by the Indian Postal Service. ... For the past decade or so, telecommunication activities have gained momentum in India. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... Viluppuram district in Tamil Nadu, India Viluppuram (also Villupuram and Vizhupuram) is one of the thirty districts which make up Tamil Nadu State situated on the southern tip of India. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Map of Pondicherry Region, Union Territory of Pondicherry, India Pondicherry (Tamil:புதுவை,Hindi: पॉण्डिचेरी) is a Union Territory of India. ... The geographical south of India includes all Indian territory below the 20th parallel. ...

Contents

History

Auroville was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa, known as The Mother. She was a disciple of Sri Aurobindo, a yoga guru who believed that human evolution had not finished. The Mother believed that this experimental community would evolve humans by bringing a more advanced consciousness called the supramental. The Indian government endorsed the township, and in 1966, UNESCO, the United Nations' cultural organization, passed a resolution endorsing the project.[2] Talk:Mirra Richard/Original POV version Mirra Richard, known as The Mother (February 21, 1878 - November 17, 1973), was the spiritual partner of the sage and seer Sri Aurobindo. ... Sri Aurobindo (Bangla: শ্রী অরবিন্দ Sri Ôrobindo, Sanskrit: श्री अरविन्द Srī Aravinda) (August 15, 1872–December 5, 1950) was an Indian/Hindu nationalist, scholar, poet, mystic, evolutionary philosopher, yogi and guru [1]. After a short political career in which he became one of the leaders of the early movement for the freedom of India... For other uses, see Guru (disambiguation). ... UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ... UN redirects here. ...


In the inauguration ceremony attended by delegates of 124 nations on 28th February 1968, the Mother gave Auroville its 4-point Charter setting forth her vision of Integral living: It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. ...

  1. Auroville belongs to nobody in particular. Auroville belongs to humanity as a whole. But to live in Auroville, one must be the willing servitor of the Divine Consciousness.
  2. Auroville will be the place of an unending education, of constant progress, and a youth that never ages.
  3. Auroville wants to be the bridge between the past and the future. Taking advantage of all discoveries from without and from within, Auroville will boldly spring towards future realisations.
  4. Auroville will be a site of material and spiritual researches for a living embodiment of an actual Human Unity.
The Matrimandir, an unfinished golden metallic sphere in the center of town.

After the death of The Mother in 1973, problems arose through disagreements with some sections of the Ashram in Pondicherry and a period of turmoil followed. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2288x1712, 781 KB) This is a photo taken by me at Auroville. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2288x1712, 781 KB) This is a photo taken by me at Auroville. ... The Matrimandir is a building holding a meditation chamber. ...


The Matrimandir

In the middle of the town is the Matrimandir, an unfinished golf-ball-like giant globe covered with golden discs. It was conceived as "a symbol of the Divine's answer to man's inspiration for perfection."[1][2] As you approach, "silence is compulsory and the cult-like atmosphere is reinforced by volunteers who wordlessly motion you to pass them. Any efforts to meet their gaze are greeted with complete impassivity."[3] The Matrimandir is a building holding a meditation chamber. ...


"Inside, a spiraling wooden ramp leads upwards through scaffolding and plastic sheeting to a spherical, air- conditioned meditation room of polished white marble. At its centre, a 70cm crystal ball in a gold mount glows eerily in its spotlight, like the setting of some giant engagement ring, the cool, blue-white, immaculate minimalism in sharp contrast with the hot, dusty, polychromatic chaos beyond the grounds."[4] It is fueled by solar panels and is surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens.[5]


Radiating from this centre are four "zones" as indicated by The Mother: the "Residential Zone", "Industrial Zone", "Cultural Zone" and "International Zone". Around the city area proper a so-called "Green Belt" has formed through rigorous and steady rehabilitation of the land, which includes farms and forestries.


In the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Auroville residents assisted with collecting bodies and guiding survivors to shelter.[6] The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea (subduction) earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. ...


Government, belief system

Auroville is governed by the Auroville Foundation through an act of the Indian Parliament.[7] The Foundation, fully controlled by the Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development, currently owns about half of the total land required for the township. Additional lands are being acquired through consistent fundraising activities by the Aurovilian residents with the help of Auroville International Centers.


Politics, religion, and most forms of private property are not allowed in Auroville. The township, not the inhabitants, owns the houses.[2]


Not all residents are followers of The Mother or of Sri Aurobindo.[5]


Society and population

Although originally intended to house 50,000, the actual population today is 1,829 (1,398 adults and 431 minors), 752 of whom are of Indian origin.[8] The population has been described as "middle-aged men with ponytails and tie-dyed T-shirts, riding motorbikes with an air of determined calm"[1] and as "thin white hippies with dreads."[4] They are from 38 countries, and have "given up their lives at home to come and live in what is a real-life Utopian project." The residents "insist they are not a cult."[2]


The community is divided up into neighborhoods with English names like Aspiration, Certitude, Discipline, and Grace. Most residents travel through the township by motorbike.[2]


Architecture, technology, and education

Auroville is populated by futuristic-style buildings. "It looks like the set of a 1960s science-fiction film. There are circular houses with roofs at bizarre angles, walls that slope outwards towards the ground, and slits for windows, like an artist's impression of a moonbase. There are square metallic houses held up on stilts over a smaller concrete lower storey."[2]


Some public drinking fountains feature "dynamised" water, which has been "made healthier" by having the water listen to Bach and Mozart.[2]


Classes are held at the "Future School" in the shade of a tree. Attendance by children is not mandatory.[5]


Economy

Paper and coin currency is not used in Auroville, by direction of The Mother. Instead, residents use electronic cards which connect to their central account. Visitors, however, are allowed to pay in cash.[5]


According to Auroville Today, one has to be "able to save the substantial amount required – of the order of Rs 15 lakhs (approximately US $ 35,000) upwards – to start a life in Auroville".


Residents of Auroville are expected to pay a monthly contribution, and are asked to help the community whenever possible, by work, money or kind according to the guidelines laid down by The Mother. "Guest contribution", or a daily fee payable by the visitors of Auroville, constitutes a part of Auroville's budget. There is a system of “maintenance” (salaries), whereby some Aurovilians are supported by the community. Other Aurovilians who have their own financial means work for the community without any financial reward.


As states Auroville Today, "there are two more obstacles the lack of work opportunities and the low levels of ‘maintenance'. Auroville has only a small economic base and newcomers often cannot find suitable work in the commercial units or in the services. If they can, the levels of ‘maintenance' paid – Rs 5,000 for those who work full-time for Auroville's services, a bit more for those who work for commercial units – are just sufficient to cover basic living costs, but not to pay for a house, either as rent or by paying-off a loan.


Auroville finances itself mainly by receiving donations, and by its commercial units which contribute 33% of their profits to Auroville's Central Fund. There are hotels, building construction units, real estate companies, information technology, small and medium scale businesses, producing and re-selling items such as handmade paper for stationery items, as well as producing its well-known incense sticks, which can be bought in Auroville's own shop in Pondicherry, or are sold around India and abroad. Each of these units contributes a considerable part of their profits to the township. Over 5000 Tamil villagers are employed in Auroville. Stationery is a general name given to paper and office supplies such as envelopes, notepads, pens, pencils, erasers, paper clips, staples, etc. ... Incense is composed of aromatic organic materials. ...


Other activities include afforestation, organic agriculture, basic educational research, health care, village development, appropriate technology, town planning, water table management, cultural activities and community services. A physician visiting the sick in a hospital. ... Appropriate technology is technology that is appropriate to the environmental, cultural and economic situation it is intended for. ...


Auroville's irrigation system developed the once barren plain into fertile land. This, along with the expansion of the nearby city of Pondicherry, led to a rapid increase in the value of the surrounding land. The community had intended to buy this land, but now probably cannot.[2]


Location

Auroville is composed of a cluster of properties some 12km north of Pondicherry. It can be easily reached via the East Coast Road (ECR) which connects Chennai and Pondicherry. The visitor centre and Matrimandir can be reached by travelling eight kilometres westwards from the signposted turnoff at the ECR. Turning east leads directly to Auroville Beach, several hundred metres away. Map of Pondicherry Region, Union Territory of Pondicherry, India Pondicherry (Tamil:புதுவை,Hindi: पॉण्डिचेरी) is a Union Territory of India. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... The Matrimandir is a building holding a meditation chamber. ...


Communication and media

The Auroville website accesses journals and newsletters providing open as well as restricted forums for various projects, interests, organizations and outreach which make up the life of the community. Note: The opinions expressed in these publications are not necessarily shared by the community at large.


Auroville has a small but dedicated 'OutreachMedia' team who regulate visits of journalists and film/video makers. Their particular aim is to ensure that all journalists and filmmakers get the official, up-to-date information or relevant/representative footage from the correct sources so that generally their visit is a fruitful and constructive one.


References

  1. ^ a b c McClarence, Stephen. "Where Om comes with a French accent South of Madras, Stephen McClarence explores a town that has boules and baguettes as well as an ashram", The Daily Telegraph (London), 2006-07-29. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Huggler, Justin. "Universal City: No Drink. No Drugs. No Politics No Religion. No Pets... So Is This Utopia? Amid the Quiet, Traditional Villages of South India, 1,800 People", The Independent (London), 2005-08-18. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  3. ^ Rigby, Rhymer. "Coffee, curry and a trip inside an orb", Financial Times (London). Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  4. ^ a b Sharkey, Alix. "Shiva of expectation: Alix Sharkey is bowled over by Tamil Nadu's religious heritage", The Guardian (London), 2004-03-06. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  5. ^ a b c d Ingle, Roisin. "What's a girl like you doing in a place like this? Auroville is India's 'future city', a socialist Utopia - with maids", The Irish Times, 2004-01-27. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  6. ^ McDonald, Hamish; et al.. "Wave of Humanity; Tsunami", Sydney Morning Herald (Australia), 2005-01-08. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  7. ^ The Auroville Foundation Act (1988)
  8. ^ Official census of May 16, 2006.

Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 230th day of the year (231st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 65th day of the year (66th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Other readings

English Titles:

  • Abundance Publications. The Auroville Handbook.Pondicherry: All-India Press, 2003.
  • Auroville  –  Development Perspectives 1993–1998  –  An Invitation To Participate, Typoscript, Autoren/Hrsg. Auroville Development Group, Bharat–Nivas, Auroville 1993, no ISBN
  • K.M. Agarwala (Hrsg.): Auroville - The City Of Dawn, Sri Aurobindo Center New Delhi 1996, no ISBN
  • Auroville References in Mother's Agenda, Auroville Press, Auroville, no Y., no ISBN
  • Jerome Clayton Glenn: Linking the Future: Findhorn, Auroville Arcosanti, published by Hexiad Project/ Center on Technology and Society, Cambridge, Massachusetts 1979, no ISBN
  • Lonely Planet 2005: India, no ISBN
  • Peter Richards: Experience!Auroville  –  Guide Book for Guests and Visitors, Pondicherry 2000, no ISBN
  • Savitra: Auroville: Sun-Word Rising  –  A Trust For The Earth, published by The Community of Auroville, Auroville 1980, no ISBN
  • The Auroville Adventure  –  Selections from ten years of Auroville Today, published by Auroville Today, Auroville 1998, no ISBN
  • The Auroville Experience  –  Selections from 202 issues of Auroville Today, November 1988 to November 2005, published by Auroville Today, Auroville 2006, no ISBN

German titles: The Findhorn Foundation is a Scottish charitable trust registered in 1972 to act as a focal point for the work of the community that grew up around Eileen and Peter Caddy and Dorothy Maclean near Findhorn, Scotland, from 1962 onwards. ... Arcosanti is a self-contained experimental town that began construction in 1970 in central Arizona, 70 miles (110 km) north of Phoenix, at , elevation 3,732 feet (1,130 meters). ...

  • Mira Alfassa: Die Mutter über Auroville, Auropublikations (Hrsg.), Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Pondicherry 1978, no ISBN
  • Renate Börger: Auroville  –  Eine Vision blüht, Verlag Connection Medien, Niedertaufkirchen 2004, 3. veränderte Aufl., ISBN 3-928248-01-4
  • Alan G. (Hrsg.): Auroville  –  Ein Traum nimmt Gestalt an, o.O. (vermutlich Auroville/ Pondicherry) 1996, 1. dt. Aufl., o.ISBN
  • Michael Klostermann: Auroville  –  Stadt des Zukunftsmenschen; Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag, Frankfurt/M., Februar 1976; ISBN 3-436-02254-3

Talk:Mirra Richard/Original POV version Mirra Richard, known as The Mother (February 21, 1878 - November 17, 1973), was the spiritual partner of the sage and seer Sri Aurobindo. ...

External links

Articles and photos about Auroville in the web site of Italian writer Manuel Olivares: http://www.manuelolivares.it Wikitravel is a project to create an open content, complete, up-to-date, and reliable world-wide travel guide. ...



  Results from FactBites:
 
INTRODUCTION (293 words)
Auroville is a non-sectarian and self-managed community with the goal of promoting sustainability on all levels for itself, its immediate surrounding and for the world at large.
Auroville’s underlying vision comes from the work of the noted Indian political leader, scholar, teacher, poet and ‘seer’ Sri Aurobindo (1872 - 1950) and his co-worker Mirra Alfassa (1878 - 1973) better known as ‘the Mother’;, a spiritually and culturally highly gifted personality who, originally from France, has lived in south India from 1920 onwards.
Auroville’s future aim is to develop into a universal town where men and women of all countries can live in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities.
Auroville Center for Urban Research (579 words)
Auroville's Future, Auroville's Town Planning Office, was established in the late sixties under the coordination of a well-known French architect, Mr.
Auroville's Future has itself implemented two projects under the Asia Urbs programme of the EC in partnership with the European cities of Paris, Venice, Treviso and Cologne.
In 2001 a Perspective Master Plan for the Township of Auroville was approved by the residents of Auroville, the Governing Board of the Auroville Foundation and the Government of India.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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