Auroville is a universal `cultural township` in the Viluppuram district, which forms a part of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This town is located near Puducherry in South India and the purpose of this small community is to realize human unity in diversity. With the aim of creating a new consciousness in the world this popular community was founded in the month of February in 1968. The organizer of this model township was Mirra Alfassa and this community if not adhered to any particular religion, cult or sect. The community of Auroville shares a humanitarian purpose and aims to become a sustainable and self-governing township in the near future.

The goal of Aurovilian society is to work out differences of culture and class in a new and higher way; a synthesis of East and West in hopes of realizing the ideal of human unity in diversity. They believed in a shared humanitarian goal. The Aurovilians are not supposed to engage in any political activities inside or outside the township. They act as a model community which embodies and celebrates cultural prosperity, international understanding, and the unity of human beings living together with progressive aims. The Mother wanted Auroville to be a drug-free society, with no internal circulation of money, and no institutionalized marriage.

This popular cultural township itself consists of areas in Tamil Nadu. At present the Auroville Foundation through a Parliament Act known as the Auroville foundation Act governs this project. The shape of the township of Auroville is in the style of a spiral galaxy. The `soul` of the city, that is the Matrimandir lies in the middle of the town and epitomizes the birth of a new consciousness. The other four zones namely `Residential Zone`, `Industrial Zone`, `International Zone` and `Cultural Zone` radiates from the center of this township. A `Green Belt` has also been formed with the future purpose of a buffer zone and an area for recreation. Here one can also find the farms and forestries of Auroville. A large botanical garden is also in the making. They live together with the belief that it is this consciousness of a new era where human unity, consciousness living and international understanding are to prevail. The organizer of this township, The Mother wanted it to be a drug-free society without any sort of intercirculation of money and institutionalized marriage.

Mirra Alfassa who organized the followers of Sri Aurobindo incorporated the idea of the universal and cultural township of Auroville. In the later ages the idea was adopted by the Sri Aurobindo Society and along with the Government of India the concept was presented to the United Nations and in the year 1966 this project was wholeheartedly accepted by UNESCO and they agreed to provide unique support to this project. Under the guidance of The Mother the township took birth in 1968. The name of the project is derived from two French terms `aurore`, which signifies `dawn`, and `ville` which signifies `city`. The slow population growth of Auroville is also a concern for the Governing Board and the town planners are too eager to start building the city.

Geography of Auroville
Reaching the township of Auroville is very convenient. It can be easily reached via the East Coast Road that connects the metropolitan city of Chennai and Pondicherry. This township is connected with all the major destination of the Indian subcontinent by roads, railways and airways.

History of Auroville
It was Mirra Alfassa who organised the followers of Sri Aurobindo and incorporated in them the idea of the universal township. Later the idea was taken up by the Sri Aurobindo Society and along with the Indian government, the concept was presented to the United Nations. In 1966, UNESCO supported this project. The aim of this community was to create a new consciousness in the society. After the death of Mirra Alfassa problems arose through disagreements with some sections of the Ashram in Pondicherry.

The township consisted of areas in Tamil Nadu. The Auroville project is at present governed by the Auroville Foundation through an act of the Parliament. This act is known as the Auroville Foundation Act. The Foundation owns about half of the total land required for the township. Additional lands were acquired through fund raising activities by the Aurovilian residents. The city was planned by Mirra Alfassa and the shape of the town is fashioned after a spiral galaxy, symbolising life and humankind`s existence. In the core of the town is the Matrimandir, the "Soul" of the city, which symbolises birth of a new consciousness. Around the city is a Green Belt which was formed steady rehabilitation of the land.

Economy of Auroville
As per the rule in Auroville, a citizen has to save a substantial amount of Rs 15 lakhs to start a life in Auroville. The residents are expected to pay a monthly contribution and are adviced to help the community whenever possible. There is a system of "maintenance" (salaries), whereby some Aurovilians are supported by the community. Other Aurovilians who have their own financial means work for the community without accepting any reward.

Auroville has a small economic base. Newcomers cannot find suitable work in the commercial units or in the services. Auroville finances itself by receiving donations and by commercial units who contribute 33% of their profits to Auroville`s Central Fund. At Auroville there are hotels, building construction units, real estate companies, information technology, small and medium scale businesses producing and re-selling items such as handmade paper for stationery items, as well as producing its well-known incense sticks. These items are sold around India and abroad. Each of these units contributes a considerable part of their profits to the township.

Other activities include afforestation, organic agriculture, basic educational research, health care, village development, town planning, water table management, cultural activities and community service.

Demography of Auroville
As per the latest census of May 16, 2006, the population of Auroville is a community of 1,829 people (1,398 adults and 431 minors). 752 of the total population belong to Indian origin. The Auroville community has members from around 40 countries in the world. The 3 biggest communities in Auroville are the Tamilians, the French and the Germans.

Auroville`s slow population growth is a concern for the Governing Board. The chairman of the Board stated publicly that he would like to see more young people from India and abroad joining Auroville. The town planners too are eager to start building the city but cannot proceed, as effective planning without an expected population increase is impossible.

Education of Auroville
Auroville provides a non-authoritarian learning which is free of any dogma. As a result, the children living in Auroville have freedom in choosing the topics of their study. There are a number of schools ranging from creche to high school education. There are no colleges at Auroville at present and no formal certificates or diplomas are issued in Auroville.

Media of Auroville
The website of Auroville accesses journals and newsletters which provides open as well as restricted forums for various projects, interests, organizations and outreach which make up the life of the community. Auroville has a small media team who regulates the visits of journalists and film/video makers.

The journals published in Auroville are : Auroville Today, Ritam, Invocation, Matrimandir Journal, La Revue d`Auroville.

Newletters published in Auroville are AV News & Notes, Matrimandir Newsletter, Auroville Outreach, Land Fund Newsletter, Village Action News, Kuyil-Health Centre`s Newsletter, Annapurna Times, Farm Group Newsletter, Pavilion of Tibetan Culture Newsletter, New Creation Bilingual School.