What is Auroville and Things to do in Auroville, The city of dawn

What is Auroville?

Auroville is a developing global city with a population of 50,000 people from around the world.

How did Auroville start?

The concept of Auroville, an exemplary city dedicated to an experiment in human unity, came to the mother in the early 1930s. In the mid-1960s, the concept was developed and presented to the government. From India, they offered their support and brought it to the UNESCO General Assembly. In 1966, UNESCO unanimously passed a resolution praising it as an important project for the future of humanity, thus fully encouraging it.

When did Auroville start?

On February 28, 1968, some 5,000 people gathered near a banyan tree in the center of the future city for the opening ceremony which was attended by representatives of 124 countries, including all the states of India. The people brought some soil from their homeland, to mix in a lotus-shaped white marble vase, now located at the focal point of the amphitheater. At the same time, the mother gave the Auroville its 4-point Charter.

Where is Auroville?

Auroville is located in southern India, mainly in Tamil Nadu (some parts in the state of Pondicherry), a few kilometers off the Coromandel coast, about 150 kilometers south of Chennai (formerly Madras) and 10 kilometers north of Pondicherry.

Here is a list of things to do in Auroville:

1. Visit Matrimandir

While the Matrimandir indoor campus is only open to Aurovillians, visitor passes are free and must be reserved at least one day in advance. The mandir is a designated area for meditation and focus, and as such, there are rules to ensure that meditators are not disturbed. Visitors can access a dedicated viewing area, which provides a great vantage point to get a closer look at the structure.

2. Auroville and Boulangerie Bakery

Auroville Bakery and Boulangerie is one of the most popular restaurants in the area and is open to visitors without prior permission. Everything on the menu is made entirely with local Auro Farms produce and the bakery is especially popular for its bread and dairy, especially the cheesecakes made with the popular Auroville cheese. The bakery also has an exclusive outdoor seating area set in the middle of a spacious garden.

3. Visit Auroville Beach

Auroville Beach, located just off East Coast Road towards Pondicherry, is one of the quietest and most beautiful beaches in the area. While the water is limited to bathing due to the rough sea, it is a great destination for anyone interested in contemplation and draws locals and Auroville in droves. The beach is also famous for being an important nest of olive trees.

4. Entertaining and learning (yoga, arts, crafts, and sculpture)

Auroville is inhabited exclusively by volunteers who have become citizens. One of Auroville's main missions is giving back to the community. As a result, various citizens are organizing classes on the things they are good at, from arts and crafts to sculpture. There are also a number of excellent yoga and meditation lessons that are very popular in the city. While most of these classes are only open to Aurovillian, there are more than a few that accept visitors as well.

Also, Read Best religious places in India you must visit in your lifetime

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