A symbol of future realization

Background: 

 Auroville, also known as the City of Dawn, is located in the Viluppuram district in Tamil Nadu. It was conceptualized as an ideal township dedicated to the unity of humanity and was founded by Mirra Alfassa in 1968 as a project of the Sri Aurobindo society. Aurovillewas also declared a project of importance by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1966.

Main  attraction:  

 Located around 10 km north of Pondicherry, the town has a population of 2,400 people from around 49 countries — of all age groups and social backgrounds, representing human diversity. The center of the town or Peace Area is the location of the Matrimandir, a domed amphitheater with the Urn of Human Unity containing soil from 121 countries and 23 India states. Covered with 56kg of gold, the center of the dome holds a crystal ball that glows with a single ray of sunlight, representing in the words of Alfassa,“a symbol of future realization.” Matrimandir is also equipped with a solar power plant and surrounded by a lake, which acts as a groundwater recharge area.

There are four planned zones in the city — the Residential Zone, providing a habitat of balanced living for individuals and the collective; the Industrial Zone with small- and medium-scale industries to help it achieve self-sufficiency; the Cultural Zone, which is to be a site for educational, sports and cultural facilities, and International Zone, which will demonstrate the contribution of various countries to diversity. Agreen belt lies is envisaged, which will surround the city as a zone for farms, forestry and wildlife habitats.

Connectivity: 

Auroville is located around 150 km south of Chennai and 10 km north of Pondicherry town. It can be easily reached by the East Coast Road connecting Chennai and Pondicherry. The town is around a three-hour taxi journey away from Chennai. Moreover, one can take a Chennai-Pondicherry bypass bus to the Pondicherry bus station, and a taxi or auto rickshaw onwards to Auroville. The nearest airport is the Chennai International Airport and the nearest railway station the Chennai Central Railway Station.

Getting around: 

 A visit to the Visitors’ Centre provides information on activities in the town through videos and brochures. There are boutiques selling products manufactured at Auroville, restaurants, cycle rentals, etc. The Mantrimandir is a 15-minute walk from the Centre. Guided tours are also available. Accommodation: Guest houses, maintained as Auroville units, offer simple options, depending on space and budgets. Home stays are another accommodation option. These can be booked through the Auroville Guest Accommodation Service located at the Visitor’s Centre or online.

Recommendations:

 The town is not designed with a specific goal to attract tourists, and the following would help it build its potential as a tourist destination:
 *Accommodation options for tourists looking for a more luxurious stay while enjoying the peace and serenity of the town
*Restaurants  serving multi-cultural cuisine *Involvement of tourists in city’s activities in the areas of education, culture and art,and green practices
*Nature tours in the Green Belt, which can be conducted by locals
*Eco-friendly conveyance within the city and to nearby areas to maintain the environmental balance
Source- “Auroville – The City of Dawn”, Official Website, http://www.auroville.org/