I spent some time in Auroville this month, as I’m traveling in India, and I’m the type who likes to do a lot of research about a place before I go. Here’s what I found:
Facts about Auroville: Started with 300 people in 1968, it’s now up to ~3000 people. The average age of residents is 40. Officially there is no money, but most places take cash. You can stay in guesthouses in the town but call around to find one that fits you as they vary from a campsite to a luxury home to yourself. The Matrimandir is free to view, but to see inside you have to schedule a visit days in advance.
Here are 50-ish more below…
General Facts About Auroville
Auroville was founded in 1968, as an intentional community to “realize human unity” and experiment in the “transformation of consciousness.”
Auroville was founded by ~ 300 foreigners, under the direction of Mirra Alfassa, who her followers call “Mother.”
Auroville’s name comes from one of the founders, Sri Aurobindo. Auro also means “dawn” in French. It’s nicknamed the “City of Dawn.”
Closest International Airport: Chennai
Cost of an Uber from Chennai International Airport to Auroville: Less than 2,000 RS ($27 USD) for a basic car.
Population of Auroville: Just less than 3,000 people, as measured in September 2018. There are up to 5,000 to 10,000 guests and volunteers on a given day, or those awaiting a chance to live there. The population also swells in the cooler winter months and shrinks in the blazingly hot summer months. The current population breakdown by nationality is:
- 1305 Indians
- 419 French
- 254 Germans
- 159 Italians
- 105 Dutch
- 95 Americans
- 70 Russians
- 65 British
- 50 other nationalities are represented in smaller numbers.
* For more population stats.
Auroville was designed to be a city that will eventually grow to 50,000 people. The total area wanted is 200 square kilometers. Currently, 84 square kilometers is owned by Auroville.
UNESCO has endorsed Auroville in 1966, 1968, 1970, 1983, 2007. It has also protected the township.
Ages of Aurovillians*:
- Average Age of Residents: ~40
- Average Age of Adults: ~48
- Average Age of Children: ~10
Number of Residents Joining Auroville by Year*:
- 2018 – 199
- 2017 – 138
- 2016 – 210
- 2015 – 104
- 2014 – 92
- 2013 – 76
There are about 100 villages or settlements in Auroville. They have aspirational names like Revelation or Discipline.
The Indian Parliament enacted the Auroville Foundation Act of 1988, which took over ownership of the township. It is owned by the government.
There are 3,000,000 trees in the forests of Auroville, which is quite a feat considering that it was once a desert.
Ancients sites have been excavated revealed artifacts dating back thousands of years.
Auroville Culture
English and Tamil are the primary languages. French is also commonly heard.
There are no religions, temples, or ashrams here. If you want to visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, it is in Pondicherry.
Alcohol is discouraged. You may drink privately or in the nearby city of Pondicherry.
Marijuana and other drugs are also illegal and discouraged. Although similar to alcohol, people may smoke or use privately. It is a town of a bunch of hippies 😉
There is no personal property in Auroville. For example, if you want to live here in a home. Then you would make a donation, but you would not actually own the house or the land. Technically, it would be owned by the township, which is owned by the government.
Services in Auroville
Electricity is free for all residents.
Water is not free and there is a limited supply.
Basic medical services are free.
There are two ambulances. If necessary, they would take you to medical services in Pondicherry.
There are no police. There are security professionals, the Auro Guard, at the entrances and are a noticeable presence in most parts of the town throughout the day.
There are no courtrooms. If you have a dispute, it is informally understood that you will try to work it out with the other party without outside interference.
Auroville has the highest concentration of alternative energy in India. You can find solar, biogas, wind and other types.
All the roads in Auroville are dirt, except the main entrances. It’s actually a super fun place to ride around on a scooter and explore.
You can shop at the Visitor’s Centre. There are boutiques, books, gifts, and musical instruments. If you become a resident, there is also a Freestore. Where like the name suggests you can find free secondhand clothes, kitchenware, books and other essentials.
There is a free tailoring service at the Freestore.
Visiting Auroville
You can NOT drive into Auroville, unless you are staying there. I was stopped by the security guards at the entrance. You have to park at the Visitor’s Parking Lot. Then walk or take the bus that runs often to the Visitor’s Centre.
Visitor’s Centre. Constructed in 1988, it is your starting point. It opens at 9am – 1pm, 1:30pm – 5pm. You will park at the Visitor’s Parking Center, then can walk or take a bus to the complex of buildings known as the Visitor’s Centre. Here you will can learn about Auroville, get coffee or tea, visit a restaurant, go shopping, and learn about sustainable practices.
Viewing the Matrimandir. Get a free viewing pass at the Visitor’s Centre, then walk 10-12 minutes or take the bus to the viewing area. You can get some good photos and are within a 10-minute walk to the dome, although you are not able to reach the dome without registering further and scheduling a visit.
You can rent a bike to explore Auroville. You can NOT drive around on a scooter or in a car.
Auroville is laid out as a “Galaxy.” If you had a drone camera and flew it high above, the city would look circular with the Matrimandir in the center. There are more people and buildings near the center and the residences further out. The Green Zone is the zone that is furthest from the center and has mostly natural areas.
There are four zones in Auroville, near the center:
- Industrial – On the Northside. Where the 150 “businesses” are mostly located and the Solar Plant.
- Cultural – On the Northeast side. Where the cafes and shops are located.
- Residential – South and Southwest side.
- International – Westside.
There have been crimes committed here, like in all places. Be careful about going out at night. Don’t go out at night alone. Protect your valuables. Women should be especially aware. Dress modestly.
Staying in Auroville
To Find A Place to Stay in Auroville, check their website. Then call each guesthouse. It could be difficult to find a price, as many places are “pay what you think it’s worth.” You can also book guesthouses on Booking.com and Oyo.
Go to Guest Accommodation Service at the Visitor’s Centre. They are open at 9:30am – 12:30 pm, 2pm – 5pm, and can help you find a place to stay.
25 restaurants are in Auroville or nearby. There is a wide range of smaller local places as well.
One popular restaurant is La Terrace. It uses the Big Solar Bowl stove. This is a 15-meter in diameter solar collector which cooks food using solar-power and steam. It generates enough power to cook over 1,000 meals a day!
There is NO MONEY in Auroville. You will need to buy an Aurocard. Unofficially, many places still accept cash though.
Things to Do in Auroville
Matrimandir was opened in 2008. To view the inside, register for a visit at the Visitor’s Centre.
- You may have to wait between 1 and 5 days, depending on how many people have scheduled visits.
- You can avoid scheduling a visit if a local resident of Auroville takes you to the dome.
- It’s an air-conditioned meditation chamber.
- It seats about 100 people.
- In the center of the dome is an optimetrically perfect glass sphere.
- The glass sphere is estimated to have cost 230,000 German Marks. That’s about 450,000 EURs ($450,000 USD).
- There are 1415 gold-covered steel discs covering the dome.
- There are 28 grams of gold in 1000 discs.
Auroville Beach. It’s a 15 to 20-minute drive away from the town limits, not far from Pondicherry. When I went there were kids playing cricket and there were some fishing boats. It was the start of the monsoon season and swimming was NOT allowed.
Auroville Library. There are over 50,000 books in 10 languages. It is organized like any library you might find in the States, and is a great place to get oriented. You can find it near the Solar Kitchen.
Auroville Bakery and Restaurant. Just outside the limits, you can find delicious baked goods. Pizza, baguettes, pies, breads, croissants and more will await any carb lover. Try the chocolate croissants!
Bread & Chocolate Restaurant. This restaurant has a 4.8 out of 5 stars on Zomato with 440 votes. It’s well-known in the area as one of the best restaurants. You’ll spend about 500 to 1000 RS for two people. The chocolate comes highly recommended.
Marc’s Organic Coffee. Close to Bread & Chocolate is a coffee-lovers dream. This is the best coffee I’ve had in India. It’s sourced throughout India and is delicious. I like the South Indian style, but you can also get espresso, Americano, cappuccinos and more. They serve breakfast and lunch. The WiFi is good, but you can only use it for an hour for free.
How to Join Auroville?
If you enjoy your stay here and are thinking about coming to live, here’s an overview of the process:
- Volunteer for a period of about two years. To volunteer in India, you will need an Employment Visa.
- Get to know the community in that time. Let the community get to know you.
- Apply to the Entry Services group. This is a select handful of people who will review your application and decide if you are a good fit.
Related Questions:
What’s a Good Auroville Documentary?
Auroville – Another World Is Possible (click to check the price on Amazon and watch online). It is 43 minutes long and an entertaining overview to the town.
A Day in Auroville is pretty good too and you can watch it on Youtube.
What’s a Good Book about Auroville?
Auroville: A City for the Future (click to check the price on Amazon). Auroville: Dream and Reality: An Anthology (click to check the price on Amazon).