The city of Auroville is unique in that it is populated by people who consider themselves outside of religion and politics.
Auroville or the “city of dawn”, is an international city in South India, developing under the auspices of UNESCO.
Located in Tamil Nadu near Pondicherry. At the request of the founders of the city, it should be an experiment in creating an international society of people living out of politics and religious preferences.
Somewhere on earth there must be a place that no nation could claim. Where are all the people who have a sincere aspiration, could live freely as citizens of the world, following only one leadership: the leadership of the Supreme Truth” (from the film “Auroville — a dream of the Divine”).
It seems like a fairy tale from the movies about Indiana Jones, an ancient Oriental legend — anything but the truth. But Auroville does exist.
In 1968, on the day of the founding of the city, representatives of hundreds of countries came to Auroville and brought earth from their native lands. Black soil laid in a marble urn and buried them near Matrimandir. Now this place of General Assembly.
“Matrimandir” is translated as “Church Mother” and symbolizes the way of life that seeks to free people from their constraints: political, financial and social. He goes back to the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Alfassa Indian men and French women: they ran the Ashram, which later turned into a city of Auroville (an Ashram is a place where people live, engaged in intense spiritual practice. — Approx. ed.).
Matrimandir is in the heart of Auroville. This building with a Golden dome, where residents gather together and meditate. In the center, directly under the dome, a huge crystal ball. Bright light in the first moments dazzles in the light throughout the day the ball is surrounded by streams of sunlight.
The city was ready to live 50 thousand people. Now the number of permanent residents has two thousand. Most came from India, but there are people from France, Germany, Israel, America, Russia and many other countries. They live in houses arranged in a spiral which unfolds from the center of the city, from Matrimandir. Everyone does their job. The city is trying to provide himself: there are fields, factories, bakeries, dining room, solar-powered, schools, cinemas, a music school and even the editor of your local newspaper.
All important decisions are taken in the city of special research groups and approved by a General vote. The mayor or other single governing body no.
Be a resident of Auroville. The probation period for beginners lasts a year, after which citizens can refuse to accept a “recruit”. If you are going to move to this city, you need to buy a house in which you live. He will remain your property at all time while you live in the city.
All residents who work in Auroville, receive a monthly salary of about 90 euros. There are a lot of young families. In addition to farmers and engineers, the city has no shortage of artists, architects, scientists and doctors. Residents believe that here they are part of a larger experiment that will benefit all mankind.
There are no cars, except for taxis that carry people from the “outside world”. The city covers a small area, and many move around on mopeds. Life in Auroville is quite diverse, but by no means simple. Daily have to fight with yourself, with your complexes and fears — there are no distractions; you can’t avoid people. Many who moved here in pairs, after a while parted. Even a beginner who doesn’t know anyone in the city, some time will know everyone who lives here. In Auroville there is absolutely no communication barriers: the locals are very open and incredibly peaceful.
