Things to Do in Auroville(2019): An Offbeat Township Where You Can Leave Your Worries Behind

On 28th February 1968, some 5,000 people gathered around a Banyan tree in the centre of what is now Auroville. There were people from 124 nations of the world with representatives from all parts of India. They all brought with them some soil from their homeland to be mixed in a white marble urn. This was the inauguration ceremony of what is now the sprawling experimental township of Auroville. It is a unique experience, one like none other. While one cannot hope to have the complete experience by visiting the township, still one can try to absorb the gist of it.

Today, people from several nations reside in Auroville and while they are on a journey of exploring themselves, they are also contributing to unleashing the truest potential of humanity. They work and contribute to dozens of projects like conservation of nature, children’s education among other causes. There are several activities related to art, yoga, spirituality and more that one can explore. If you are planning to go to Auroville, be prepared for a very different kind of trip.

If you are planning a trip to Auroville then there are a few things you can keep in mind. It is located in Pondicherry, or to be precise, it is about 10 kilometres from Pondicherry. While there is an airport in Pondicherry, it is not a full-service and if you are looking to fly in then you would have to take a flight to the nearest international airport which is in Chennai. The township is some 150 kilometres from Chennai and you can easily find buses, cabs and other transportation means. Also, if you have the luxury of planning a trip in advance then it is best to visit Auroville or surrounding areas between the months of October to February; during this time of the year, the climate is fantastic and you can enjoy the beach as well.

Most people get confused by the entire concept of Auroville. It is difficult, and naturally so, for them to comprehend the existence of a place like this. The Auroville township is often referred to on the internet as the place where no currency works or as the true global village of the world. However, there is so much more to the place than these name tags. The place is working on certain firms beliefs and ideals; it is not just a township but an on-going experiment. There are several things about this beautiful township that are not just different from usual places but also what makes the place what it is. Hence, before you go to Auroville, it would be best if you know some basics about the place to start with, like –

The entire township is an experiment in human unity. It was conceptualized by the spiritual guru referred to as the Mother and was then backed by the Indian Government. India took it to UNESCO in the 1960s and by 1966 UNESCO unanimously passed a resolution encouraging the commencement of what is perceived as an experiment of importance in the future of humanity. It is an experiment to see how people, simply humans and not belonging to titles of nation or race or caste, can come together in an ideal way. It is an on-going experiment in transforming consciousness.

This ideal township aims to ‘realize humanity’. It wants to unleash the truest potential of the human race where all can come together irrespective of the vast diversity. It is researching into sustainable living and the future cultural, spiritual, social and environmental needs of mankind to thrive and realize their true power. They are firm believers in the fact that there is more to explore and realise in the human sphere and Aurovillians are dedicated at unravelling the mysteries of humanity, consciousness and the universe at large.

There are three major ways in which you can get involved with Auroville. Either you can stay at Auroville by getting enrolled in the township and acquiring a kind of ‘citizenship’ of the place. You become an ‘Aurovillian’ and start living in the township and spend most of your days exploring yourself and helping around with the dozens of projects they work on. You can also volunteer to help run the huge place that Auroville is or volunteer to help with their several projects. If you are not interested in either, then you can also simply get a visitor pass and look around the township. That in itself is a different experience than no other.

There are so many things that you can do in and around Auroville. From visiting landmark places, gardens to even trying out delicious food served in the quaint little cafes around, there is no end to the things you can do. You can pay a visit to beach or go on a shopping spree in the markets. You can find endless bakeries and pizza places or you can even take a day trip to the town of Pondicherry. There are places and activities suited for almost all ages in and around the township. So, actually narrowing down to a handful of places might be more difficult than you might think. However, to start you off, we have made a list of the top 5 places that you can visit in and around the township. You can even do all of this in like a day if you are not staying in Auroville and just looking to experience it all in a day.

The Matri Mandir is the heart of the Auroville township. It is a prominent landmark and is situated right in the centre of the entire establishment. The place is a meditation centre and while only registered Aurovillians can visit the inner sanctum of the temple, visitors can enjoy the beautiful gardens and the site as a whole. If you make some efforts before visiting the township, you can get a free visitor pass which would allow you access to the viewing deck of this spiritual hotspot and an architectural wonder.

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. If you want to go inside the Matri Mandir for one of its concentration programs then you need to get a pass at least a day in advance. You can contact them by call or mail or get a pass at the help desk for the next day.

The Auroville Botanical Garden is spread across over 50 acres of land and is one of the largest of its kind in the region. The story behind the gardens is as fascinating as the place itself. It was started in somewhere around 2000 by Aurovillians who were passionate about nature. They started planting on a piece of barren land and saw huge support coming from hundreds of volunteers. Together, slowly and steadily, they turned it into the huge, beautiful ecosystem that it is today.

The botanical garden is home to a huge variety of plants and trees. It also features a huge artificial Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest which is kind of native to this part of India. The garden also has a fish aquarium and a toy train centre where you can enjoy a joy ride. You will also find several people engaged in meditation and might also find a group meditation that you can join. Entry is by a ticket of Rs. 20 for adults and Rs. 5 for children; tickets for a visit to aquarium and toy train ride are separate. The Botanical Gardens are also a paradise for nature photography lovers. Whatever you are seeking to find in the gardens, you will not be able to hold yourself back from basking in the goodness of unbridled nature here.

If you are a beach person, then you will love the Auroville Beach which is one of the most peaceful beaches in this region. It is extremely clean and well-maintained; one can easily lose their heart to Auroville Beach. Located close to the East Coast Road while driving towards Pondicherry, the beach is picture-perfect. It is also a nesting area for the famed Olive Ridley Turtle and you might spot them in large numbers if you visit around the nesting period. It is a beautiful, fascinating sight to behold.

However, on most days the waters are restricted for people due to the rough waves. So prepare yourself in advance or you might get a tad bit disappointed. Despite the waters being off-limits, the place attracts hundreds of people for the calm and peaceful vibe of it. You will find several people enjoying yoga, meditation or a cool morning walk. There are also some small cafes and kiosks around; you can enjoy a cup of hot coffee or sip on freshly squeezed fruit juices as you feel the cool breeze.

There are several good eateries in and around Auroville. You will find delicious wood-fired pizzas, muffins, cakes and even cool gelato around the area. However, if you are looking for a completely different experience then you must at least once eat at the Solar Kitchen housed inside the Auroville township. As its name suggests, the majority of the cooking is done through steam provided by a huge solar bowl installed on the roof of the building. Most of the ingredients are grown in Auroville itself by completely organic means and are healthy, nutritious. Started as an experiment, and now a successfully running venture since over a decade, the Solar Kitchen is a step forward in not just sustainable living but with a healthy approach to food for humanity in general.

They serve delicious food mostly comprising of vegetables and grains. Apart from the lunch menu served at around noon, you can also find crispy dosa, idlis and spicy chutneys. They also offer some select western dishes like pasta and mashed potatoes. Curd and freshly squeezed fruit juices are also served. On a side note, the place is also responsible for delivering over 500+ daily lunches for children studying in schools nearby. They also deliver packed lunches every day to several charity institutions. If you are staying for a longer period in the township then you can enquire about the volunteering opportunities at the Solar Kitchen. A major part of their workforce comprises of volunteers that dedicate hours of hard work into making the project a success.

If you are looking to take back a little something with you to serve as a memory of your time in Auroville, then the best place to shop is at La Boutique d’Auroville. It is a little store located in the main township that sells products made solely by Aurovillians. You can find several things here like clothes, jewellery, gift boxes, leather bags, lamps, candles, incense sticks among others. Things are mostly reasonably priced while some are slightly on the expensive side. You can find some reasonable little things to take back home for your family and friends as well like wooden keyrings, fridge magnets, diaries made out of natural fibre and more. Some of the products that are unique to the city include bright, colourful hammocks, wooden trays and tablemats and small trinkets and pieces.

It is located on the Jawaharlal Nehru Street, right opposite the Metro shoe store. The shop is open for visitors on all days of the week from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM. The place accepts both cash and card, although you might want to check about digital wallets. They have a small parking space available as well. There are small cafes and kiosks close by as well if you would like to take a short break from shopping. You must try the gelato at close by stalls.