Auroville

Auroville in Pondicherry

  • Auroville Overview

Auroville, often called the “City of Dawn,” is an experimental township near Pondicherry in Tamil Nadu, India. Founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa (known as “The Mother”)—a collaborator of the Indian philosopher Sri Aurobindo—Auroville was created as a place where people from all over the world could live in peace and progressive harmony, beyond all creeds, politics, and nationalities. Today, Auroville is internationally recognized as a unique, alternative community focused on spiritual and sustainable living.

  • Auroville is based on spiritual and universal principles aimed at human unity and self-discovery. Residents are encouraged to pursue personal growth while contributing to the community’s development in sustainable and meaningful ways.
  • The community operates on values of selflessness, communal living, and environmental sustainability, with the idea of fostering a universal township where people of all backgrounds coexist.
  • At the heart of Auroville is the Matrimandir, an iconic golden-domed structure that serves as a place for meditation rather than worship. Often called the “Soul of Auroville,” it is surrounded by carefully landscaped gardens, symbolizing inner peace and harmony.