Auroville Tourism

"The City of Dawn" Auroville Tourism Auroville is one of those towns which appear to come to life right out of fiction. In the union territory of Pondicherry, this township runs on the principles of peace, harmony, sustainable living and 'divine consciousness' which was the philosophy of the Mother of Sri Aurobindo Society, Mirra Alfassa. This universal township was inaugurated on 28 February 1968 with the agenda that it will be a place with people willing enough to make this a hub of uninterrupted education and progress, regardless of their caste, creed, nationality or race. Called the city of dawn, this place is the epitome of tranquility and proves as the perfect escape for the ones in search of peace. Download Auroville PDF Guide > What's Great? Very tourist friendly has a great cosmopolitan feel. Exudes vibes of calm and spirituality. What's not so Great? Food and accommodation may be a bit on the higher side. For Whom Those looking to experience spirituality, looking to recharge their mind and body.

Visitor and Resident You can either come to Auroville for a day trip or stay on as a resident and /or volunteer. The center of attraction is the Matrimandir, a globe -shaped meditation center. Prior booking has to be made if you wish to enter it. There are a lot of activites like teaching and handicrafts which you can try out. Peace Area In the centre of the city is the peace area or Matrimandir. It is a centre for meditation, internal reflection and quietude. The structure is globe-shaped with a golden metallic plate-like design on the outside. The insides are white as a sign of peace and silence is maintained for tranquillity and serenity. A colossal crystal ball is placed at the centre of the meditation chamber that channels and reflects the sunlight. The area is also equipped with a solar power plant, which works after sunset or when there is no sunlight. A spiralling ramp leads to a white marble covered chamber on the upstairs that is used as a ?place to find one?s consciousness?. Cultural Zones Situated on the east of the Peace area is the Cultural Zone, on a 103-hectare area. It is a site for research in an educational field, for artistic expressions etc. It is planned to have various centres for sports, education, arts and research centres for related fields. It can be used for local city level use like auditoriums, exhibitions, parks, playgrounds, convenience stores, stadium etc. Culture of Auroville They say "Auroville is a culture still to be invented". As Auroville is a planned township, it draws people from all over the country and globally as well. You can see a mix of Tamilians, Bengalis, Russians, Koreans, British etc. The culture, therefore, is a mixed one. You will hear folk village music and can also find a ballet class to go to. It has cars to travel and also bullock carts. There are jazz concerts held and also recital of the Vedas. Auroville celebrates all kinds of festivals- firecrackers on Diwali and rum cakes on Christmas. Some people wear the usual t-shirt and jeans while others prefer dhoti-kurta. People of Auroville Mirra Alfassa- the founder of the township, believed that Auroville is meant to be a universal town where men and women from all over the world and of all religions can live in harmony and peace above all politics, creed and nationalities. The overall purpose being human unity.

One Day Itinerary Day 1 -Reach Auroville by morning. Check out the Visitor's Centre. Explore the township and sample the delicious multicultural cuisine available.Day 2 -Make sure you have permission to enter the Matrimandir ( bookings have to be made well in advance ) Devote this day fully to strolling through the gardens that lead to the Matrimandir and meditating in the serene settings.Day 3 -Check out the shops and cafeteria that sells handmade products like incense, pastries , clothing ,accessories etc. Spend the evening at the Auroville beach.

Restaurants and Local Food in Auroville There are tons and tons of restaurants and cafes in this place. It has a lot of plush restaurants, not in terms of the prices they charge but in terms of the cuisines that they have on offer. This is kept in mind to cater to the large number of foreign tourists that Auroville gets each year. The most popular restaurants are The Solar Kitchen and La Terrace. One can find all sorts of cuisines out here ranging from exquisite Italian to traditional South Indian dishes. Auroville is truly a foodie's heaven. View 10 Restaurants in Auroville >>

Nov-Maris the best time to visit Auroville November-March are the best months to visit this place. The weather of Auroville is tropical in nature. The summers are hot and humid with average temperatures ranging from 40-44 degrees. The occasional rainfall starts from July though the main rainfall experienced by Auroville is during the month of October-December. The winter season arrives in the month of December-March, this is the best time to visit the town of Auroville. Weather in Auroville Loading... Auroville in December - February The weather is very pleasant and there are a lot of activities that take place here during this time of the year. Auroville in August - October The place is a little less crowded during this season as it is considered to be the off-season. Enjoy the solitude! Auroville in June - October The heat begins to subside and one can experience the delightful sea breeze during this time. Auroville tends to be crowded during the weekends. Monthly Weather in Auroville Month Avg. Minimum (°C) Avg. Maximum (°C) January 22 30 February 21 32 March 25 34 April 28 38 May 28 38 June 28 38 July 27 35 August 27 36 September 26 35 October 25 34 November 23 32 December 22 30