On my business tour, I got an opportunity to visit some places along with my seniors. It was the great pleasure to visit Auroville, which is supposed to be the greatest place, where one should visit to see the real destination for receiving the peace within self.
Auroville is a universal township in the making for a population of up to 50,000 people from around the world. The concept of Auroville an ideal township devoted to an experiment in human unity came to the mother as early as the 1930s. In the mid-1960s the Sri. Aurobindo Society in Pondicherry proposed to her that such a township should be started. She gave her blessings. They put this concept in front of the Govt. of India, who gave backing and took it to the general assembly of UNESCO. In 1966 UNESCO passed a unanimous resolution commending it as a project of importance to the future of humanity.
Auroville is one and only city in the world of an ongoing experiment in human unity and transformation of consciousness. Auroville is the best city to sustainable living and the future cultural, environment, social and spiritual needs of mankind. Auroville is located in south India, major area of Auroville is in Tamilnadu and some parts are in the state of Pondicherry.
Auroville was founded on 28th February 1968 at that time around 5000 people assembled near the banyan tree at the center of the future township for the ceremony. 125 nation’s representatives are present for this foundation ceremony and all people brought some soil from their home land. Aurovillans are from 49 nations from all age groups and all social classes, backgrounds, and cultures representing humanity as a whole. The population of Auroville is growing day by day. Presently 1/3 (one-third) are Indians in Auroville.
Auroville city plan divided into a different area. Like -Peace Area, Industrial Zone, Residential Zone, International Zone, Cultural Zone, Green Belt etc.
There are one Matrumandir and gardens. They used soil from 121 nations and 23 Indians states in those gardens. Auroville gardens are full of different kind of trees and flowers. All related information is present in the garden. Like – which soil is used and which kind of tree. There are some small-scale and medium-scale industries, training center, arts, and crafts workshop. They use major electricity generated by solar power. They have enough solar plants for their demand. Some Industries have the own solar power plant. Auroville people believe in natural resources. Majorly their homes are made by natural resources. They use Bamboo and other wood for homes. If they cut any tree for making a home. They will plant more trees. But they look not to cut the trees. They used the tree as a support and built a home there. They have big roads and well maintain the road. But there is no tar used for roads.
They are looking to do organic farming this zone contains organic farms, dairies, orchards, forests and wildlife areas. This zone contains national pavilions and cultural pavilions. It’s a central focus to create the living demonstration of human unity in diversity through the expression of genius and contribution of each nation to humanity. Auroville is one place on earth that no nation could claim as own. It’s humanity city. It is located in India, but many foreigners are the citizen of Auroville, after completing some paper work and visa work. Auroville a place of peace, concord, and harmony. This is the place where needs of the spirit and concern for progress would take precedence over the satisfaction of desires and passions. The search for pleasure and material enjoyment. In this place, children would be able to grow and develop integrally without losing contact with their souls. Education would be given not for examinations or obtaining certificates and posts. But enrich existing faculties and bring forth new ones. In this place, titles and positions would be replaced by opportunities to serve and organize. Beauty in all its autistics forms, painting, sculpture, music, literature would be equally accessible to all.
Sri. Aurobindo’s vision made Auroville possible. The Sri. Aurobindo was a brilliant scholar, revolutionary, spiritual, visionary. He was born in Calcutta on 15th August 1872 and he passed away in Pondicherry on 5th Dec. 1950. Sri. Aurobindo finishes his educating in England. After completing his education at Cambridge University. He came back to the birth place and join as the first principal of the New Bengol National College. But he resigned that post because of his increasingly active involvement in the Nationalist movement. Sri. Aurobindo was the first of the nationalist leaders to insist on full independence for India. He was very active for several years in the movement and he was arrested on the charge of treason and being kept in the solitary continent for almost a year as an under trial prisoner in Alipore Jail.
During this time he had a number of fundamental spiritual experiences which convince him of the truth of the ‘Sanatan Dharma’ the ancient spiritual knowledge and practice of India. He was acquitted and released, this spiritual awareness him to take refuge from continuing pursuit by the British authorities in Pondicherry, then part of french India, where he devoted himself intensively to the exploration of the news possibilities it opened up to him. Supported by his spiritual collaborator, the mother, and using his new found spiritual capacities. He continued to work tirelessly for the upliftment of India and the world. When India gained its independence on 15th August 1947. He responded to the request for a message to his countryman by speaking of five dreams that he had worked for and which he saw on the way to fulfilment.
These live Dreams are being –
1) “…. A revolutionary movement which would create a free and United India.”
2) “… the resurgence and liberation of the people of Asia and return to her great role in the progress of human civilization.
3) “. A world-union forming the outer basis of fairer brighter and nobler life for all (people)’
4) “… the spirituals gift of India to the world”.
5) “…. A step in evolution which would raise humans to a higher and larger consciousness and begin the solution of the problems which have perplexed and vexed them since they first began to and dream of individual perfection and perfect society.
Auroville is located on the plateau some 50 meters above sea level. Ignoring the gentle slope up from the sea all the way to the Matrumandir. Auroville land is essentially flat in the sense that it is without any hills Auroville has white, red and brown, compared to sand, pebbles and the ever present red laterite earth. There are many birds and small animals, reptiles and insects. Birds like brain fever bird, cuckoo, and small songbirds. There are many natures green and yellow bamboo reach towards the sky and way in the ocean breeze. Bamboo stalks with their fine leaves have inspired many master artists; they breathe elegance and grace of form. There is an “Auroville Bamboo Centre’ who making many bamboo products crafts, cloths and soaps. They are exporting these products. There are many trees with different origins. Like Acacia Auriculformis (native from Australia) but introduced in Auroville in the early years. Kottaharai, Edyanchavadi, and Kurlapalyam are the main villages which thrive within the perimeter of Auroville. The local roads have either improved or deteriorated depending on how we see it. They used to consist of dusty, dirt tracks. Today a prominent tar road winds through a major section of Auroville. Other roads have retained their rustic qualities, dirt tracks, wending through shady forested areas replete with crystalline bird song. Auroville lies on the ‘Coro Mandal coast.’ Here the bay of Bengal hosts regular swimmers, avid sorters, and weekly sunbathers. Coconut palms are separated at ropes, a beach access points lie between local fishing villages. Fisherman rises well before dawn and can be seen offshore standing on their palm tree canoes. In the distance against the sunrise, they appear to walk on the water. Dawn at the seaside also witnesses the morning ablutions of these fishing communities, which conveniently get washed into the sea.
There are few lakes around the Auroville Kaliveli Tank and the lake at lake estate being the main ones. Fresh water bodies within Auroville are found in Kolams and small dam in Auzodam.
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