Auroville lifestyle
| “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 realize human unity.” This statement characterizes the lifestyle that has evolved in Auroville, of which we are a part, physically as well as spiritually. |
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Our days are peppered with interactions with people who have come here from around the world. Together we exchange ideas and take in each other’s culture and heritage. There is a sense of curiosity within everybody to discover the world through their neighbors, and what better place to do that than here! Life here also gives us space to refresh our minds and ourselves. Walking through the many forest paths or just sitting in the garden in search of inspiration, Mother Nature is never far away. The common goal of sustainable living has given rise to all sorts of environment-sensitive architecture that seems to blend seamlessly with the natural surrounding, creating a harmonious mood in Auroville. The Industrial zone is where most of us go to carry out the work that inspires us. Here one finds people working on a multitude of projects, from fashion and garment design, production of incenses, lighting fixtures, etc. to research on solar technology. The Cultural zone houses pavilions of different nationalities and evenings are mostly lost in soaking up cultural performances of a wide variety playing out from traditions coming across the world. The Residential zone houses us all who live and work in Auroville. There is no better place to see a range of innovative and green architecture than here. The International zone is the starting point for most visitors in Auroville as it contains the Visitor’s Centre, shops for Auroville products and pavilions of various countries for exhibitions and information. The green belt that surrounds Auroville is residence to those who have dedicated their lives to farming, reforestation and the upkeep of forest land. The barren land that Auroville was earlier, has now been transformed into this green oasis because of the efforts of the many “Green Belters”. In the center of all this is the peace area, which is home to Matrimandir, which we call the Soul of the City and its gardens. The construction of this unique building has been the story of the evolution of life in Auroville – always in constant search for perfection. |