The concept of currency does not exist here. The taste lingers on and people go back to it.
Ever been to the City of Dawn? If that’s a yes, ever got fascinated by the ideals?
A break from work and the quest for quietness took me to Auroville, a city in Viluppuram district of Tamil Nadu. The small town has all the charm and peace a spiritual seeker could ask for. Auroville is an experimental township conceptualized by Mirra Alfassa, fondly called as the Mother by her followers. She was a disciple of Sri Aurobindo who believed in the power of human harmony and love. Mother cut her off from the concept of religion, race or cast. The township follows the vision of human unity she envisioned in 1965. In 1968 the community invited people to join them. Men and women, hippies and C-suite leaders from across the globe joined the progressive township. They work together and live together in harmony.
On a fun note, don’t be surprised if you see our friends from the west in lungi, riding a Luna or hero splendor with an LPG cylinder tied behind the bike. Auroville is quite an experience and a sight to behold.
The City That Earth Needs
The city that earth needs is Auroville’s purpose. A 10 - 12 kms drive from beach town Pondicherry takes people to Auroville. Do not expect the alluring beauty of the French town or the Auroville: The City that Earth Needs The concept of currency does not exist here. The taste lingers on and people go back to it. JIMY POTHEN swankiness of Promenade or Goubert Avenue. What you could expect is red earthy roads, miniature jungles and homes built in sync with the untamed nature.
Most tourists arrive here to visit the golden dome structure - the Matrimandir - that they may have seen on Google or on social media. It is the soul of the city. The structure has a meditation center or the inner chamber where people can spend some time in silence (currently closed for visitors). Auroville is beyond all what you see from the tourist lens. When mother laid the foundation for the dream city, it was 3930 acres of barren, forsaken land. The community transformed it into a tropical forest and today the green cover is spread across 2,780 acres. The rest is for residential complexes and organic farming. Everything that is produced from Auroville is cultivated here.
There are multiple organic farms looked after by the residents. No wonder the food in eateries run by the community tastes pure and authentic. The taste lingers on and people go back for it. The concept of currency does not exist here. Residents have a membership card and that’s how they make purchases and payments.
Auroville is where I saw the real women empowerment. Most Auroville outlets employ women (and men) from nearby villages. They COVER STORY are trained in communication, accounts, store management, cooking, baking and are employed at restaurants and retail stores run by the community. They are confident, graceful and exceptional at their work.
While there has been aggressive environmental conservation activities, organic farming and youth development programmes in the Micropolise, not everything has been going well as the mother had envisioned. Some say, material and elite interest has creeped into the minds of few members. The crown corridor project that will tear the forest area has created a division among members.
Living the Utopian Dream After having experienced what Auroville is like, as an outsider, I feel the need to build similar cities and communities across the globe. But will I leave everything and join the utopian ideal? Will I be able to survive there for long? I do not have an answer.
I want to build an Auroville in my heart where I treat my fellow beings equally and with respect. Where I train my mind to experience the tranquility and peace amidst the chaos of urban civilization. And where I humble myself and embrace truth, light, love and harmony. That’s mother’s vision too.
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