Experience life with a difference at Auroville, which is one of India’s most popular tourist destinations.

Known as the “City of Dawn”, Auroville beckons people from around the world to explore its secrets and learn from its uniqueness. A conglomerate of cultures from 45 different countries, Auroville represents humanity, and is therefore one of the best places to visit in order to get back in touch with one’s inner, true self.

History of Auroville

Auroville began as an experimental township in the year 1968 in Villipuram, Tamil Nadu. It was started by Mirra Alfassa (the mother), who was a spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo. She began this township with the aim of uniting people of all nations and creeds from around the world, with the belief that the human essence could transcend minor manmade differences. Auroville presently has over 50,000 residents, the Aurovilians, from across the globe, and is a very popular place to visit in India.

Tourism in Auroville

While Auroville is a real eye opener to those who visit this place, you can get the complete essence of the town by visiting placess of interest. At the very centre of the town is Matrimandir, which depicts “the mother” as a divine answer to the prayer for a role model for perfection. The area around this place is also known as the Peace Area and complete silence is maintained within the Matrimandir in order to preserve its spiritual tranquillity. In this area, you will see a Banyan tree, an Amphitheatre, twelve petals and future lakes and twelve gardens.

Once you enter Matrimandir, you will find a spiral ramp that leads to an upper chamber, which is a place where you will be able to get in touch with your inner consciousness. Within this chamber, at the very centre of it, is a golden mount containing a 70 centimetre crystal ball. A single ray of sunlight is directed on this globe, and when there is no sunlight, a solar powered beam of light is directed on this “symbol of future realisation”. The entire Matrimandir is solar powered and the gardens are perfect for one to find inner peace.

This town also has a residential zone, an industrial zone, an international zone and a cultural zone. These are of interest to tourists, as they can see how people of various cultures and nations live together in peace and harmony.

A visit to Auroville should also include on your travel itinerary a visit to the surrounding farms, forestries, seed banks, botanical gardens and water catchment bunds.

As Auroville is located just 12 kilometres north of Pondicherry, it is easily accessible via the East Coast Road. You will definitely not regret a visit to this spiritual destination in India.