The Auroville International Ashram is located at Bharat Nivas of Auroville at Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu. Auroville is a conveniently connected city, to the other cities by railroad. It is located about ten kilometer north to Pondicherry in South India.Chennai is the nearest metropolitan city. From Pondicherry the buses reach the Parry`s Bus Station and from there an auto rikshaw can be taken to reach Auroville.
Auroville is the unique community of international level that aims towards the transition of life into mental consciousness. Based on the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and Sri Ma (mother), the Aurovilian Mita Radhakrishnan offers an inner view to the self development pathway. Auroville is not only a mere ashram but is lot more. The ashrama stands as the insignia of spiritual experimentation, which is just not based on the forsaking of the world, but also on the vigorous commitment with life and matter.
The Auroville is situated at the middle of villages of Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu. Auroville is a dynamically growing community that includes fifteen hundred persons from thirty countries. It is founded on the spiritual basis that lies in the teachings of Mother and Sri Aurobindo.
Auroville provides accommodation to its visitor but still it is recommended to book the room previously during the season time. The room charges are according to the facility, starting from Rupees seventy-five up to Rupees seven hundred and fifty. The lower end guesthouses are simple houses with a separated or sometimes shared bathroom. While the upper end guesthouses are called pucca, with attached bathrooms etc. Mostly, the prices are in between. Generally a clean Pucca room costs around Rs, 275 a night, which included a breakfast and laundry. The resort also offers some dormitory style youth accommodations for those who have limited budgets.
Auroville has many activities beside life style teaching process. These are as follows:
• Afforestation : Aurovillions have planted 3 million trees. They have protected several indigenous species of plant and raised plants and tree nurseries.
• Aurovilaians have taken part in watershed management and rainwater harvesting for the entire region.
•Organic farming is another project
•They have conducted research in food production and processing
•Research in alternative medicine like Ayurveda, reiki, massage, pranic healing, homeopathy, acupuncture, flower remedies, polarity therapy, kinesiology, foot reflexology etc.
•They have done research in new system of education that is beneficial for both children and adult.
•Language education includes four languages in Auroville viz Tamil, French, English and simplified Sanskrit.
•Research into alternative energy source that includes biogas, wind energy, solar energy and experiments in wastewater treatment.
•Research in the field of building technology like ferro cement and mud-earth construction.
•Research in alternative vehicles such as electric mopeds and cycles, gas-powered cars.
The multifaceted activities of Auroville are not expressed to the outsiders or strangers. In order to be familiar with the place one has to stay in the Auroville for a considerable period of time. A minimum of three months period of time is needed to experience the hidden mysteries in Auroville. There is no time restriction to visit and stay at Auroville. Becoming a guest of Auroville and becoming a member of the Auroville are two entirely separated things. But before joining Auroville it is recommended to visit the place as the guest first.
