AUROVILLE

Auroville is a universal township in the making with a population of up to 50,000 people from around the world. 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 concept was developed and put before the Government 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.

The purpose of Auroville is to realize human unity- in diversity. Today Auroville is recognized 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.

On 28th February 1968, some 5000 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-point Charter.

They come from some 49 nations, from all age groups (from infancy to over eighty, averaging around 30), and 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 2500 people of whom approx. one-third are Indian.

Facts about Auroville:

·?Auroville is an experimental township in the Villupuram district mostly in Tamil Nadu. Some of its parts are in Puducherry as well.

·It was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa (known as the mother”) and designed by architect Roger Anger.

·?The purpose of Auroville is to realize human unity. It wants to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities, Mirra Alfassa had said.

·?Auroville is a growing community of 2700 people from 50 nations and the vision for Auroville is that it belongs to nobody in particular but humanity as a whole.

·?The best time to visit Auroville is November-March. Places that can be seen in Auroville are Matrimandir, Auro beach and the Botanical gardens.