Auroville- Erakina

Auroville is basically a universal township that came into being in the early 1930s.

The population of this town is 50000 i.e. people belonging from all over the world and here the main thing that can be found among all people is ‘Unity’.

In the mid-1960s the concept of ‘Auroville’ has been taken in front of the central government in an attempt to take it to the General Assembly of UNESCO.

However, in 1966 UNESCO gave its full support and recommended developing Auroville as a basis for human unity and equality in the society to a great extent.

Auroville is located in south India, mostly in the state of Tamil Nadu while some parts of it are shared with the Union territory of Puducherry.

This township mainly emerged as a result of the project of the Aurobindo society.

The sole purpose of Auroville is to make everyone realize that unity is diversity and that each and every people should realize it and follow it as a duty of an Indian citizen.

Auroville is now recognized as the only experiment that has been done in accordance with human unity and the transformation of human consciousness.

It also has done research on the matter of sustainable living of human beings and the future need of mankind in terms of spiritual, cultural, and social perspectives.

In 1968, nearly 5000 people gathered under a huge banyan tree at the center of the new township ‘Auroville’ for the inauguration ceremony of the future human unity place of mankind.

Those 5000 people brought with them soil from their homeland and that soil is mixed in the marble-clad and kept at the center of the amphitheater.

All these people come from 49 different nations from all over the world and they belong to all social classes, backgrounds, and cultures which definitely represents humanity as a whole. 

Auroville is a place where every people would obviously love to visit and stay there and experience the peaceful environment that prevails over there.

In terms of the physical environment, Auroville always aims to become a ‘city of the future’ or a ‘city that the earth needs’ because here people do not have the fear of getting judged by someone or getting robbed by someone, or the fear of religion, and so on.

Basically, this is a place where no one will ever feel regret visiting and staying inspite of having less money.

The city of Auroville is also known as “The City of Dawn”.

Auroville has no religion

• Beyond religion

The City of Dawn is popular mainly because it has no particular religion and it believes only in delivering the truth which is beyond any religion in this world.

People here do not follow any particular religion and they only practice Yoga as a part of their everyday life which not only keeps them healthy but also makes them spiritually and mentally strong and active in their life. There is a temple at the center of the City of Dawn known as ‘Matrimandir’ which is based on the spiritual significance for those who practice Integral yoga and do not belong to any religion or sect as a whole. There are many rooms in the temple where over 100 people can easily accommodate and pray and meditate there daily.

• Believe in Universal truth

The City of Dawn is a special place where all of its people fervently embrace a shared dedication to the unchanging truth. In this case, belief is exclusively based on concrete, everyday experiences. In addition to appreciating this dedication to the truth, the community extends a warm invitation to people from all over the world, regardless of their nationality, culture, religion, status, or background. The City of Dawn’s inhabitants share a common faith in truth, in all its manifestations, which directs their path as a community towards the ultimate goal of understanding.

Auroville has no politics

• No hierarchy

In the City of Dawn, there’s a distinct absence of belief in traditional hierarchical structures that typically govern societies. Unlike conventional setups, you won’t encounter any formal authority or legal administration dictating rules and regulations. Instead, the community operates under the guidance of an assembly comprising adult residents hailing from diverse corners of the globe, each representing unique cultures. It’s fascinating how, despite linguistic and cultural differences, these residents, who may not always comprehend each other’s languages or communication styles, collectively contribute to the governance of the township.

• No law and administration

In the City of Dawn, we don’t have formal government or written laws. Here, our foundation is built solely upon the bedrock of universal truth, the guiding force that propels the township forward. Our residents are dedicated to fostering love, harmony, and peace, making these values the cornerstones of our community. Moreover, we hold education and research in the highest regard, recognizing them as the true pillars of enlightenment. In our city, education isn’t just a process of gaining knowledge; it’s a journey towards profound understanding and boundless enthusiasm. This pursuit of knowledge and understanding stands as the primary motto, the heartbeat of the people in the City of Dawn.

Auroville has no money

• No need for money

The City of Dawn does not believe in the concept of money either and people here believe only in the policy of giving and exchanging with one another as they feel it will spread love and affection among all. For the people in the City of Dawn money is just a mere paper and it has no value in front of truth, love, and care that they behold among each other. The City of Dawn deals with money only with the outside world and not among the people of the township.

• Believes in independency 

In the City of Dawn, people are mostly independent and do not depend on each other much. They have a large distribution center in the middle of the township where both the citizens of the City of Dawn and the strangers from outside can have their daily meals without any need of providing money or fund. People mainly produce what they need especially vegetables, fruits, etc., and exchange them with their neighbors without any expectations of earning through the process of the barter economy.

Auroville is self-reliant

• Auroville has its own architecture

The City of Dawn stands out with its unique architectural style, proudly setting itself apart from other cities across the globe. What makes this possible is the dedicated architecture and town planning department within the township. Picture this vibrant community, housing around 40 diverse establishments—industries, restaurants, farms, guesthouses, research centers, auditoriums, and more—all contributing to the rich tapestry of life here.

What’s particularly noteworthy is the presence of a state-of-the-art computer lab, equipped with numerous computers. And hey, we’ve got our exclusive email network, charmingly named “auronet,” connecting all residents. It’s not just about bricks and mortar; it’s about fostering an environment where people can thrive independently. Thanks to these amenities, we’re not just building structures; we’re building a foundation for residents to maintain their independence and focus on their careers. It’s more than just a city; it’s a home that empowers and supports each and every one of us.

• Auroville has sustainable eco-city

Since the City of Dawn is a green community, the township was constructed utilising a multi-cropping strategy that involves planting orchards, cornfields, fruit trees, and other crops throughout a 160 hectare area, comprising over 15 farms. By sharing meals across the entire community, Auroville inhabitants assist one another.

• Auroville has its own forest area

The City of Dawn is a place where greenery can be seen everywhere if you visit the place for the first time. Around the early 70s, Auroville started the process of forestation to support a green and clean environment. And today it can be seen that the township is settled within a belt of forests and fields making the place as one of the cleanest places on earth. This place also installed an advanced system of wastewater treatment as well as systems of groundwater depletion. Therefore, Auroville is a place that is a must-visit for every people once in a lifetime to experience the green and clean environment that prevails over there.

• Auroville has experimental architecture

The City of Dawn is basically a place where one can see only experimental architectures which means here structure and shape of the building keep on changing as they believe in innovating the architectures after a certain period of time. The reason behind this is that the structures in Auroville seek to optimize the use of renewable sources of energy and the main objective behind this is to reuse and recycle at a constant pace. So, the architecture in Auroville can be seen as different after a certain period of time. 

How to Join Auroville?

The City of Dawn is a place where you can visit and explore its beauty and surroundings but to settle permanently in Auroville there are certain procedures that you have to follow as becoming a permanent member of Auroville is not a matter of haste or joke as one must be mentally prepared to join the community by leaving aside the comforts of their life and material expectations. One must visit the place first and understand the society before joining it as the vision of joining this township will be completely different and one should be fully ready before taking the membership.

• As a Volunteer

A person can join Auroville as a volunteer in the first place before getting the full membership and becoming a volunteer one have to contact Savi and fill out the online application. After filling out the form they can participate in any project conducted by Auroville to get an understanding of the work and life at Auroville. The volunteer has to manage their own food, lodging, transport, and other expenses except for some special arrangements with the hosting unit of Auroville. And also they have to donate 900 rupees per month during their volunteer period. Only after 3 months period they can again apply for the newcomer process to get a permanent membership in Auroville.

• As a Newcomer

One must apply to join Auroville permanently, and then the organisation will interview you to determine if you should be accepted as one of the inhabitants of Auroville based on your skills and personality. While residing in Auroville, the newcomer is responsible for covering his own living expenses and other obligations. After joining Auroville, one is required to get private health insurance.

That’s why the City of Dawn is a place unlike any other in the world. Independence is the only thing that matters in this place; religion, politics and money have no place here. There are no conflicts or social problems here, and guests from all over the world are welcome to stay as family.

Shramana Sarma Roy

05-10-2023