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| Auroville's Dome |
"Auroville wants to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity."
What is Auroville?
Auroville is a universal township in the making for a population of up to 50,000 people from around the world.
How did Auroville begin?
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. The concept was then put before the Govt. of India, who gave their 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, thereby giving their full encouragement.
Why Auroville?
The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity
– in diversity. Today Auroville is recognised as the first and transformation of consciousness, also concerned with - and practically researching into - sustainable living and the future cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs of mankind.
When did Auroville start?
On 28th February 1968 some 5,000 people assembled near the banyan tree at the centre of the future township for an inauguration ceremony
attended by representatives of 124 nations, including all the States of
India. The representatives brought with them some soil from their
homeland, to be mixed in a white marble- clad, lotus-shaped urn, now
sited at the focal point of the Amphitheatre. At the same time the
Mother gave Auroville its 4-point Charter.
Where is Auroville?
Auroville is located in south India,
mostly in the State of Tamil Nadu (some parts are in the State of
Puducherry), a few kilometres inland from the Coromandel Coast, approx
160 kms south of Chennai (previously Madras) and 10 kms north of the
town of Puducherry.
Who are the Aurovilians?
They come from some 45 nations, from
all age groups (from infancy to over eighty, averaging around 30), from
all social classes, backgrounds and cultures, representing humanity as a
whole. The population of the township is constantly growing, but currently stands at around 2,160 people, of whom approx one-third are Indian.
Overview of the city plan
Peace Area
At the centre of the township lies the Peace Area, comprising the Matrimandir and its gardens, the amphitheatre with the Urn of Human
Unity that contains the soil of 121 nations and 23 Indian states,
and a lake to help create an atmosphere of calm and serenity and
to serve as a groundwater recharge area.
Industrial Zone
A 109-hectare area to the north of the Peace Area, the Industrial
Zone, a zone for "green" industries, is focused on Auroville's
efforts towards a self-supporting township. It will contain small
and medium-scale industries, training centres, arts and crafts,
and the city's administration.
Residential Zone
The largest of the four city zones, comprising of 189 hectares,
the Residential Zone is bordered by parks on the north, south and
west. Main access to the zone will be through the crown road with
further traffic distribution via five radial roads that divide the
zone into sectors of increasing densities. This zone wants to provide
a well-adjusted habitat between individual and collective living.
55% of the area will be green and only 45% built surface, thereby
creating an urban density balanced by nature.
International Zone
The International Zone, a zone of 74 hectares to the west of the
Peace Area, will host national and cultural pavilions, grouped by
continents. Its central focus is to create a living demonstration
of human unity in diversity through the expression of the genius
and contribution of each nation to humanity
Cultural Zone
Planned on a 93-hectare area, situated to the east of the Peace
Area, the Cultural Zone will be a site for applied research in education
and artistic expression. Facilities for cultural, educational, art
and sports activities will be located in this zone.
Green Belt
The city area with a radius of 1.25 km. will be surrounded by
a Green Belt of 1.25 km width. As a zone for organic farms, dairies,
orchards, forests, and wildlife areas, this belt will act as a barrier
against urban encroachment, provide a variety of habitats for wildlife,
and serve as a source for food, timber, medicines etc. and as a
place for recreation.
Presently an area of 405 hectares, the
Green Belt - though incomplete - stands as an example of successful
transformation of wasteland into a vibrant eco-system. Its further
planned extension with an additional 800 hectares will make it into
a remarkable demonstration site for soil and water conservation,
ground water recharge, and environmental restoration. As lungs for
the entire township, it will complete the healing process that Auroville
started several decades ago.
Source: Aurovlle.org
Learn more:
Auroville Village Creation Action Group
Auroville Green Practises
Ashtanga Yoga Auroville
Auroville Film Festival
Auroville Design Consultants
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