A highly condensed summary of the main points which people seek information on regarding Auroville.
Note: In the text which follows Auroville is sometimes abbreviated to AV. Whatever we cover here, there are sure to be dozens of other questions people will ask. Such questions can best be directed to info@auroville.org.in, but meanwhile here are some general facts to be getting on with. (Headings are in alphabetical order; AV = Auroville; Chennai is new name for Madras.)
You can read a Tamil version here
Accountancy
Each commercial,
research and service unit is responsible for keeping accounts and preparing its
own annual balance sheet, which is then audited by a certified chartered
account. All accounts and balance sheets are checked by the Comptroller &
Auditor General of India, and an audited balance sheet of all units under the
Auroville Foundation (see separate note) is annually prepared for submission to
India’s Parliament.
Act of Parliament
See “Auroville
Foundation”.
Airport
Auroville is well
served by a variety of international and national carriers operating into
Chennai airport. Pondicherry has a small airport with few commercial flights at
present.
Alcohol
The consumption of
alcohol is strongly discouraged in Auroville. It cannot be purchased anywhere
in the township.
Alternative energy
systems
Auroville has the
highest concentration of alternative and appropriate energy systems in India,
including solar, wind and biogas generating systems. Of particular interest are
the huge 15-metre diameter solar collector installed on the roof of the Solar
Kitchen, designed to generate enough steam to cook over 1,000 meals a day, and
the Matrimandir Solar Power Plant, believed to be the largest stand-alone
system in India, comprising 484 photovoltaic modules with total capacity of
36.3 KW. Some 750 homes and/or offices operate entirely or mostly on solar
power. See also “Wind energy generators”.
Ambulance
An Auroville ambulance
is normally available on 24-hour standby at the Sante' Clinic for Aurovilians,
Newcomers and registered guests of Auroville (ph.94422-24680). A charge is made
for usage according to distance covered and user status.
Amphitheatre
Sited near the
Matrimandir and banyan tree at the centre of Auroville, with a white,
marble-clad, bud-shaped urn at its focal point containing soil from the 124
nations and all India’s States that participated in Auroville’s inauguration
ceremony on 28th February 1968, the Amphitheatre has been the traditional site
of a pre-dawn bonfire and silent gathering on Auroville’s and Sri Aurobindo’s
birth dates (February 28th and August 15th respectively). It is also used
occasionally for other types of gathering and events conducive to “inner”
awareness and concentration.
Animal care
A dedicated team of
Aurovilians seeks to improve the health of locally owned animals, specially
dogs and cats, by providing anti-rabies inoculation and other forms of
treatment. They also try to control the number of semi-feral uncared for dogs
and cats in the villages by offering free sterilization wherever required.
Appropriate Technology
(AT)
Auroville has several
business units dealing in alternative technology, including one specialising in
windmills, and another in the design and installation of solar-powered lighting
systems, pumps and water heaters. The latter unit works with local NGO partners
all over India, providing them with design / consultancy and supply and
installation of such systems for drinking water and rural village
electrification.
Arbitration
See “Conflict
resolution”.
Archaeology
Excavations in the
Auroville area have revealed a number of ancient sites, some dating back 2,000
years, from which a variety of artifacts have been removed for safe keeping.
These are now preserved in a small Museum of Archaeology at Bharat Nivas (see
“Cultural Pavilions”).
Architecture
Auroville, which is
home to more than 40 practicing architects, is well known for its diverse and
innovative approach to architecture. Of special interest is the widespread use
of Compressed Stabilised Earth Block (CSEB) technology and ferrocement
components (for roofing, etc) in building construction.
Archives
The Auroville
Archives, located at Bharat Nivas and soon being relocated in their own building in the Town Hall area, preserves all available important papers,
letters, photos and audio/visual material relating to Auroville’s founding and
subsequent development.
Area
The total planned area
of the township plus surrounding Green Belt is 3,930 acres (1,620 hectares, or
approx 20 sq.kms), of which the city area will occupy approx 1,150 acres and
the Green Belt approx 2,780 acres.
Arrival in Auroville
Everyone staying in Auroville, whether Indian or foreign, is required to complete an ‘Arrival Form’ at their guest house, the AV Guest Service or an AV Financial Service office as soon as possible after their arrival. The same applies to Aurovilians returning from abroad (done at the Residents Service office). See also “Guest registration” and “Residential Permit”.
Ashram
The Auroville township project should not be confused with the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, which is an entirely separate entity. The relationship between Auroville and the Ashram, however, is close, not least because of a shared aspiration to realize the goals of integral yoga, and there is good regular interaction between the residents of both organisations.
Assets management
All matters relating
to Auroville‘s land, buildings and other fixed assets are overseen by a ‘Funds
& Assets Management Committee’.
Astrology
There are a number of
competent astrologers living in Auroville, some of whom are willing to help
with preparation and interpretation of birth charts. For names and contact
information it is best to make enquiries around the township.
ATM (Automated Teller Machine) cash dispensers
Two local bank
branches – State Bank of India and ICICI Bank (see “Banks”) – have ATMs outside
their premises for dispensing cash to account holders.
Aurocard
The plastic Aurocard provides an alternative to cash payment throughout Auroville. All major guest houses, restaurants and shopping places have an electronic ‘reader’ to enable financial transfers to be done electronically. The card is normally issued by the guest house where the guest is staying, but may also be issued by the Financial Service offices. Most registered guest houses will issue one against Rs.500 deposit, even for a day-or-two stay if desired, but all other cash payments into the Aurocard account must be credited at one of the Financial Service offices. The card is also needed – or useful – for paying for bus trips to Pondicherry, borrowing books from the main Auroville library, entry to various Auroville facilities, and for classes in hatha yoga, dance, martial arts, etc. Essentially, it gives access to most of the facilities enjoyed by Aurovilians, and should be carried by guests at all times.
Auronet
Auronet is a community
network which facilitates electronic communication, mostly within Aurovilians. A password is needed for access, but the opening page, accessible to all, offers a daily schedule of events in Auroville, specially useful for Guests.
Aurovilian status
People only become
‘Aurovilian’ after going through an ‘entry’ process overseen by the Entry Service
group, usually lasting 15 months, in course of which they change from being a
Guest to a Newcomer before becoming an Aurovilian.
Auroville International
In 33 countries around
the world groups of people interested in Auroville have come together to form
Auroville International Centres or Liaison Offices. These Centres and
Offices actively support the development of the township by way of donations
and other help, and provide information on Auroville in their own country.
Awards
Auroville has received
a number of national and international awards in recognition of exemplary work
carried out by its residents, specially in the fields of renewable energy,
appropriate building technology, design and construction. Examples are the
Hassan Fathi International Award for Architecture for the Poor; Best Building
Centre award from India’s Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty
Alleviation; and not long ago an Ashden Award for Enterprise in the field of
Sustainable Energy.
Auroville Foundation The Auroville Foundation is a statutory body created by Act of Parliament in 1988, in which all the assets of Auroville are vested in trust for humanity as a whole. It comprises three bodies – a Governing Board with Secretary living and working in Auroville, which has responsibility for the development of the township in collaboration with Auroville’s residents; an International Advisory Council; and a Residents Assembly. The Foundation offices are located in a separate building close to the Town Hall. (See individual entries for each of the Foundation’s three component bodies.)
Bakeries
There are two bakeries
in Auroville – the main one near Douceur settlement, the other in Kottakarai –
providing bread, biscuits, pizza, cakes, etc. Both also have a small café
attached.
Banks
There are two banks with branches in or close to Kuilapalayam village main street, offering the full range of normal banking services. State Bank of India (reference code 03160; Swift Code SBININBB474) located on the main street opens Mon-Fri 9am-3pm, and Sat 9-12am. ICICI Bank, located by the road from Kuilapalayam to Bommaiyapalayam (reference code 1631; Swift Code ICICINBBXXX) opens Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-2pm. Both have ATM machines. See also “Financial Service”.
Bharat Nivas
See “Cultural
Pavilions”.
Bookshops
There are four Auroville bookshops – the Freeland Bookshop beside the road between Edayanchavadi and the Visitors Centre, the Auroville Papers Bookshop inside the Visitors Centre, the OASIS Auroville Boutique in Kuilapalayam Main Street, and the Janaki Outpost on the East Coast Road.
Botanical Garden
An approximately
50-acre plot of land in the southern half of Auroville’s Green Belt is being
developed into a major botanical garden, with an Environmental Education Centre
on site. More than 250 tree species have been planted in the 25-acre arboretum;
5,500 specimens have been planted in its 10-acre conservation forest; and a
Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF) plant nursery has been created, able to
produce 50,000 seedlings a year to promote reintroduction of the indigenous
flora of the region.
Budget
See "Budget Coordination Committee (BCC)"
Buildings / building
construction
Nowadays virtually all
Auroville buildings are constructed using fired bricks (bought locally outside
Auroville) or compressed stabilised earth blocks (made in Auroville). Roofing
is usually done with tiles or rows of arched ferrocement channels, though a few
people still use palm leaf thatch (keet). There is no established building
‘code of practice’, nor is there any ‘Aurovilian’ style of building. As there
are a number of competent qualified architects living and working in Auroville,
there are many different design approaches. Permission to build has to be
obtained from L’Avenir d’Auroville, a body which oversees the planning and
development of Auroville. Building construction is mostly done by Auroville-run
units.
Bus service
See “Transport”.
Businesses
See “Commercial /
business units”.
Business premises /
parks
The nearest thing to a
miniature business park in the Auroville area is the Aurelec compound near
Kuilapalayam village, which houses a variety of Auroville commercial units and
services, plus a 7-days-a-week cafeteria. Eventually, the Industrial Zone of the
township (Auroshilpam) is likely to resemble a more typical business park in
its size and scope, but this won’t be for many years.
Car hire (self drive)
This is not possible in Auroville, but there are plenty of taxis available (see list under ‘Useful telephone numbers’ at the end).
Charter
Auroville’s four-point
Charter, shown on the inside front cover, was given by the Mother at the time
of Auroville’s inauguration on 28th February 1968, and read out in many
languages at the inauguration ceremony.
Childbirth
Auroville has its own
midwife team, capable of delivering children in all normal circumstances. More
complex cases are taken to hospitals in Pondicherry, or to PIMS hospital 15kms
away.
Childcare
Auroville provides
resident parents with a special ‘maintenance’ allowance to help them care for
their children, if needed. Crèches, followed by kindergartens, are available
for young children.
Choirs
Auroville has four
choirs, two adult, one youth and one children’s choir. Performances are usually
given two or three times a year.
Cinema
See “Film shows”.
Classes
There are many
opportunities to participate in regular classes – in acting, aerobics, dance,
hatha yoga, ikebana, martial arts, pilates, healing, languages (specially
Tamil, Sanskrit, English, French), etc. Details are posted on notice boards at
class venues and around Auroville, or published in the weekly News & Notes
or via Auronet. Guests attending such classes are normally expected to pay a
‘guest contribution’ towards maintenance of the premises and facilities.
Climate
The climate of
Auroville is tropical, with high humidity and temperatures sometimes reaching
40oC (104oF) or more in May/June. Night time temperatures rarely drop below
20oC (68oF), even in winter, and can be as high as 30oC (86oF) in summer. The
most comfortable season is mid December to mid March. Average annual rainfall,
as recorded by Auroville met stations and rain gauges spread around the area,
is 125 cms, most of it falling in the main monsoon season of October-December.
See also “Meteorological data”.
Commercial / business
units
There are around 180
commercial units operating in Auroville, falling under the following broad
categories: Architecture & Construction, Clothing & Fashion, Electronics
& Engineering, Food, Handicrafts, Shops & Boutiques, Travel, and
Others. Currently all Auroville
businesses are required to operate under the Auroville Foundation. Permission
to start a new unit has to be given by the AV Board of Commerce, the Working
Committee and the Funds & Assets Management Committee (including the
Secretary to the AV Foundation).
Communication
facilities
See separate headings
for E-mail, Intranet, Messenger Service, Mobile phones, Post Offices and
Telephones.
Computer usage /
facilities / servicing
Computers are used
widely throughout Auroville and in the schools. Visitors/guests can make use of
Auroville systems or use their own portable computers at Auroville browsing
centres for reading/sending e-mail and accessing the Internet. They can also
purchase software and hardware and benefit from servicing capability in the
township.
Conferences, Seminars & Workshops
A considerable number
of internal conferences, seminars and workshops are held in Auroville,
including ones occasionally sponsored internationally or by the Government of
India.
Conflict resolution
Differences arising in
Auroville are normally settled by sub-groups of the AV Council or by mediation Koodam, involving fellow Aurovilians skilled in conflict resolution, though arbitration
may be resorted to if both the above approaches fail. Matters affecting the
villages are handled by an AV Village Liaison Group or by SEWA (Small Employers
Welfare Administration).
Contributions
Everyone is invited to
contribute to the development of Auroville in cash, kind or work. Guests are
requested to pay a financial contribution towards the ongoing maintenance of
the township. The same applies to Aurovilians and Newcomers, who pay a monthly
contribution to ‘City Services’. See also “Donations”.
Crèches
In addition to a
pre-crèche for Auroville children aged 6 months to 2½ years near Transition
School, there are two other crèches – Kindergarten Crèche and Nandanam Crèche –
for slightly older children, located in the area of Centre Field. There are
also crèches for children from the local villages run with Auroville’s help at
Isaiambalam (Kottakarai), and in Kuilapalayam, Sanjeevi Nagar and
Bommaiyapalayam villages.
Credit Card payment
Presently credit card payment is possible at Auroville’s Financial Service, the two Boutiques d’Auroville (Visitors Centre and Pondicherry), Mira Boutique (Visitors Centre), Kalki Boutique (Visitors Centre and Pondicherry), Inside India, The Travel Shop, Yatra Nova Travels, and the Visitors Centre cafeteria.
Cultural events
See “Entertainment”
and “Festivals & Celebrations”.
Cycle hire
Most major
guest houses in Auroville have cycles available for their guests, or for hire
by other guests at certain times of the year. Short-term hire is possible from
the Kiosk at the Visitors Centre; a longer-term purchase-and-buyback scheme is
available at Aurovelo, Reve. Otherwise ask at the cycle maintenance kiosk at
Solar Kitchen.
Cycle paths
A steadily expanding
network of cycle paths exists in Auroville, mostly running through shaded areas
beside the roads, which cyclists are advised to use whenever possible. A map
showing their approximate routes is available from the Visitors Centre
Information Desk.
Dairies
There are a number of
small dairies supplying milk in the township, though many Aurovilians also buy
milk from the villages.
Dance
See “Entertainment”
and “Classes”.
Deaths
A ‘Farewell Service
Group’ facilitates the cremation or burial of deceased residents on Auroville
land set aside for this purpose, according to the wishes of the departed (if
known) or those closest to them.
Decision making
In all Auroville
meetings, whether involving only a small group or the wider Residents Assembly,
after everyone has been given a chance to speak and the subject under
discussion has been thoroughly examined, the preferred mode of decision making
is by consensus, though vote counting is also sometimes used.
Dental facilities
Two
main clinics operate in Auroville, one at Protection settlement (primarily for
Aurovilians, but also accessible to guests), the other at the Health Centre
(for local villagers). Another 10 sub-clinics – all staffed and maintained by
Auroville – are located in the villages around the township.
Desk Top Publishing
(DTP) work
A service, which
includes text checking & editing, is provided by Prisma in the Aurelec
compound. Other DTP providers are Auroville Press near Aspiration settlement,
and the AV Design Service at the Town Hall.
Dhobi service
See “Laundry
facilities”.
Digital camera
downloading
A service is provided
by PRISMA, located in the Aurelec compound near Kuilapalayam village, and by
the Graphic Section in the Multimedia Centre.
Doctors
See “Health
facilities”.
Donations
Financial donations to
Auroville can be made by cheque, demand draft or money order issued in favour
of “Auroville Unity Fund” and sent by registered post to Auroville Unity Fund,
ACUR, Auroville 605101, India. Specified donations for a particular purpose
should be indicated on an accompanying note. See also “Taxes / tax
exemption”.
Dress / clothing
Noting that Indian
women generally dress very modestly, Western and other non-Indian women are
encouraged to also dress in a modest fashion, so as not to send out the wrong
message and attract unwanted attention. This also applies at the beach, where
one-piece swimming costumes are recommended. As regards men, they usually gain
more respect in India dressed in full length trousers than in shorts, though
the latter are widely worn throughout Auroville, specially in summer. Cotton
fabrics are generally cooler and more comfortable than synthetics, and light
colours cooler than dark colours. During the rainy season a good
raincoat/cape/poncho, or at least an umbrella, is essential.
Drugs
As possession or use
of any type of narcotic drug is banned under Indian law, in no circumstances
are they permitted in Auroville.
Economy
The eventual aim of
Auroville’s economy is to reach a state of no monetary exchange within the
township, specially between the residents, and experiments towards this end
continue to be conducted (see, for example, “Prosperity Pour Tous”). The other
overall aim of the Auroville economy is to reach a state of self-sufficiency.
Editing / text
checking
See “Desk Top
Publishing”.
Education
There are no exams in
most Auroville schools, and no certificates are given (though AV’s ‘Future
School’ offers the possibility to those wanting to go on to a university to
prepare for external entrance exams). The New Era Secondary School also follows
a new national curriculum. Education is generally seen as a means of developing
each child’s full potential, and of giving each the freedom and opportunity to
pursue his/her own individual path of growth and progress. The same applies to
education for adults, Auroville being seen as “the place of an unending
education” (see Charter). See also “Schools” and “Classes”.
Electricity
While a substantial
number of Auroville residences and other buildings use solar-power-generated
electricity, still a
majority of buildings are connected to the mains grid. The latter supply can be
erratic, however, with frequent power cuts, specially in summer. Voltage is
officially set at 220v but often falls below that level; it can also
occasionally surge higher. All Auroville’s main electricity supply needs and
maintenance requirements are monitored and coordinated by the AV Electrical
Service (AVES). The Auroville Solar Service and units like Sunlit Future look
after the needs of those not on the main grid. Currently, the necessary electricity, even if through the mains grid, is supplied for free to all residential units by wind-generated power.
E-mail
Internet facilities
exist at the Town Hall and at Arka
settlement (open Mon-Sat 9am-7pm), both with wireless access (payment by
Aurocard). Wireless access is offered for free in most Guest Houses, eateries, etc... A comprehensive e-mail directory listing Auroville subscribers is
included in the Auroville Telephone Directory.
Employment
opportunities
A service unit named ‘Connections’ – working from the Human Resource Team office at the Multimedia Centre – provides information on work opportunities in the township for Aurovilians and Newcomers with the aim of helping them find their right place in Auroville, and to help services and units find the staff they need. Work opportunities in Auroville for people from the local villages and surrounding area are handled by ‘Small Employers Welfare Administration’ (SEWA). Visitors and guests interested in working in Auroville are advised to contact the Guest Service office at the Solar Kitchen avguestservice@auroville.org.in, which maintains a list of volunteer opportunities, or visit the website https://guestservice.auroville.org .
Students interested in work as part of their studies can contact <study@auroville.org.in>.
Entertainment
There are regular film
shows, plus occasional theatre, music, dance and choir performances,
exhibitions, powerpoint presentations, lectures, etc. Announcements appear in
the weekly News & Notes, on Auronet, and on notice boards around the
township.
Environmental
protection
Auroville is strongly
oriented towards environmental protection and sustainable development. All
development plans are scrutinized from the viewpoint of environmental impact,
and waste disposal in particular is carefully monitored. See also “Waste
treatment / sewage / recycling”.
Equality of the sexes
Auroville aspires to
attain complete equality of the sexes. In practice this seems to be happening,
with many women heading commercial units or services, and playing other leading
roles in the administration and functioning of the township. Similarly in the
villages, Auroville is playing a constructive role via its Village Action Group
in encouraging the full empowerment of women.
Erosion control
Widespread use of
earth embankments/bunds throughout the Auroville area, plus a number of
check-dams in canyons and gullies, seeks to prevent water run-off and allow
water to reach the aquifers from which the township and local villages draw
their supplies.
Exhibition sites
Facilities/space for
ongoing or fairly regular exhibitions exist at Aurelec Cafeteria, Bharat Nivas’
Sri Aurobindo Auditorium foyer and ‘Gallery Square Circle’, Citadines, Pitanga,
Savitri Bhavan, the Town Hall, the Pavilion of Tibetan Culture, and Auroville
Visitors Centre.
Farms
There are some 15
Auroville farms producing rice, eggs, vegetables, fruit and dairy products for
the community using organic methods, though not yet in sufficient quantity to
make Auroville self-sufficient in its food requirements (most food is still
purchased in Pondicherry market). There is also a small ‘research farm’ experimenting
with “energy plants”, with the aim of identifying suitable species to act as
fossil fuel substitutes for diesel engines.
Festivals &
Celebrations
Cultural festivals and
celebrations recognised in Auroville, often involving a holiday, fall into 4 categories:
strictly Auroville-related (e.g. Sri Aurobindo’s, Mother’s and Auroville’s
birthdays); Indian/Tamil cultural (e.g. Diwali, Pongal, Tamil New Year); Indian
Government (National Holidays); and international (Christmas, May Day, etc).
There is also a biennial Film Festival now organized at Auroville, which
includes international contributors.
Film shows
Films are regularly shown at a number of sites around Auroville, the main ones being the Bharat Nivas Auditorium, the Visitors Centre and the ‘Cinema Paradiso’ facility at the Multimedia Centre.
Filming in Auroville
Visitors/guests are free to film for private purposes, but require Govt. of India permission to film anything in Auroville for later public viewing (in every case, would-be filmers should seek an “OK” from any individual, group or unit they want to film before proceeding). For more info contact outreachmedia@auroville.org.in or visit their office in the Multimedia Centre. There are a number of Aurovilians and Auroville units involved in video film making in the township.
Finance
Contributions to the
development of Auroville have come, and continue to come, from a number of
sources, including the Government of India, Indian and foreign NGOs and funding
agencies, Auroville International Centres, private donors in India and abroad,
the profits of Auroville’s commercial units (normally one-third), and the
personal funds of Aurovilians.
Financial Service
Via its main office in the Town Hall and branch office adjacent to the PT Purchasing Service facility near Aspiration (both open Mon-Sat 9am-12.30pm and 3-4.30pm), Auroville’s computerised Financial Service issues Aurocards against appropriate cash deposits, handles the opening and closing of accounts, operates a ‘foreign currency exchange’ service, cashes travellers cheques, arranges in