Auroville

Auroville Review

Auroville is an international project—a group of villages—and "experiment in international living" conceived by Mirra Alfassa, also known as the Mother and a companion of the mystic Sri Aurobindo. Once a freedom fighter, Sri Aurobindo moved to Pondicherry from Calcutta and founded an ashram here to propagate his ideas, a synthesis of yoga, philosophy, and spirituality. Inaugurated in 1968, Auroville attracts those in search of enlightenment without the trappings of traditional religion. With more than 1,300 residents from all over the world (primarily from the West), it is meant to reflect the unity of the human spirit. Auroville is not a tourist attraction, and its overseers say that visitors need to spend at least a few days here to understand the work being done. An exhibition at the visitor center (open from 9 am to 5:30 pm) explains the concept behind the Auroville project, and depicts how its community is involved in a variety of environmentally friendly endeavors. They work with local villagers, introducing them to alternative technology and energy sources. Auroville has a handicrafts shop, a restaurant, and several guest houses.