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Hindu Ashrams and Hindu Organizations
Auroville Ashram
What is Auroville?
Auroville is a universal community in India, situated near the Pondicherry
city. The city has been built to house a population of up to 50,000 people
from around the world. The main motto of all the people living in the
Auroville city, near Pondicherry, is to convert life into 'Supramental
Consciousness'. It is also known by the name of Sri Aurobindo Ashram and is
devoted towards 'unity of mankind'. Auroville intends to become such a city
that will serve as a model to the cities of the future, cities where people
will strive towards a harmonious future.
Basis of Auroville
The main raison d'être of Auroville comprises of the teachings of the Mother
and Sri Aurobindo. The city was inaugurated on 28th February 1968.
Representatives from approximately 124 countries attended the inauguration
ceremony.
The Mother (1878-1973)
Mirra Alfassa, fondly called 'The Mother', was born to an Egyptian mother
and a Turkish father. She was born in France and was the second child of her
parents. She studied occultism in her twenties, in Algeria, and returned to
Paris to work with groups of spiritual seekers. She met Sri Aurobindo in
Pondicherry, in the year 1914, and immediately recognized him as a mentor
she had already met in dreams.
She left India after the start of World War II, but came back to join Sri
Aurobindo, in the year 1920. She was responsible behind the organization of
Sri Aurobindo's followers into the Aurobindo Ashram of Pondicherry. In 1968,
she commenced the project of Auroville Township as a means to implement Sri
Aurobindo's vision.
The History Behind Auroville
The concept of an ideal city, devoted to unity of mankind, came to the
Mother in the 1930s. However, it was only in the mid 1960s that Sri
Aurobindo Society in Pondicherry proposed the formation of Auroville to Her.
After She gave Her consent, the approval of the Government of India was
taken. The government took this concept to General Assembly of UNESCO and
the project received approval as well as commendation in 1966.
The Aurovilians
Citizens of approximately 35 countries make up the population of Auroville.
They belong to different religions, castes, cultures, social classes, etc.
The current population of the city is around 1700, with Indians making up
one-third of the population.
Auroville Charter
- Auroville belongs to nobody in
particular. Auroville belongs to humanity as a whole. But to live in
Auroville, one must be the willing servitor of the Divine Consciousness.
- Auroville will be the place of an
unending education, of constant progress, and a youth that never ages.
- Auroville wants to be the bridge between
the past and the future. Taking advantage of all discoveries from without
and from within, Auroville will boldly spring towards future realizations.
- Auroville will be a site of material and
spiritual researches for a living embodiment of an actual Human Unity.
How to Join Auroville
Before joining Auroville, it is recommended that the concerned person first
visits the city. After staying here for three months, if he/she decides to
join Auroville, an interview is arranged with the Entry Group, at the end of
the guest period. An application form is filled and after he/she returns to
Auroville, the joining process initiates.
Thereafter starts the Newcomer period of the new member, which lasts for two
years. When the Newcomer period gets over, he/she again meets the Entry
Group, which recommend his/her joining to the Residents' Assembly. In
absence of any objections from the rest of the Auroville residents, the
person becomes an Aurovilian.
How to Reach
By Air
The nearest airport is situated at Chennai, approximately 135 km Pondicherry
city.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is at Pondicherry, well connected with Chennai.
By Road
The nearest road link is Pondicherry, which is well linked with most of
South India.
Local Transport
After reaching Pondicherry, you can take a bus, a taxi or an auto rickshaw
for traveling to Auroville. |