Logo Logo small
Saving...

  • Vision
    • The Auroville Charter
    • A Dream
    • To be a True Aurovilian
    • The Galaxy Concept of the City
    • Matrimandir - Soul of the City
    • Founder: The Mother
    • Visionary: Sri Aurobindo
    • Words of Wisdom
    • Integral Yoga
  • Activities
    • Matrimandir
    • Planning & Architecture
    • Green Practices
    • Education & Research
    • Art & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
    • Social Enterprises
    • Media & Communication
    • Rural Development
    • City Services
  • Community
    • Auroville in Brief
    • Testimonials & Support
    • Organisation & Governance
    • Society
    • Economy
    • History
    • People
  • What You Can Do
    • Visit & Stay
    • Volunteer & Intern
    • Study in Auroville
    • Join Auroville
    • Workshops & Therapies
    • Donate
    • Shop
    • Contact Auroville
    • Contact Nearby Centre
  • Flags
    • العربية
    • Български
    • 中文
    • Dutch
    • Français
    • Deutsch
    • हिन्दी
    • Italiano
    • 日本語
    • 한국어
    • Polskie
    • Português
    • Русский
    • Español
    • Svenska
    • தமிழ்
HomeActivitiesPlanning & ArchitectureCity LayoutPlanning & Architecture
Last updated: Apr 10, 2015

Frequently asked questions on the City


Q. What is the population of Auroville? Is there a limit to the expected population? 
A. The present population is just over 2,400 people from 50 countries as of 2014. The eventual population is expected to be 50,000.
It is unlikely that this number will be exceeded, partly because there is insufficient land for a larger township, but also because Auroville has no aspiration to become larger. 

Q. Why is Auroville in India? Why not in Europe or elsewhere? 
A. The inspiration for Auroville arose in India, stemming from the writings of Sri Aurobindo and the encouragement of the Mother. This inspiration lead to the Sri Aurobindo Society, based in Pondicherry, persuading the Government of India in 1966 to accept and support the project, which was then put before UNESCO for its endorsement. 

Q. When will the Matrimandir be finished? 
A. The Matrimandir structure was completed in 2008, while the surrounding gardens may take some 5 more years to complete. 
As the planned water body directly around structure & gardens may become part of an elaborate, integrated energy & water management set-up, construction of this lake and other components of the plan will stretch over the coming decade. 

Q. What is the amphitheatre; what is it used for? 
A. The Amphitheatre is used for quiet gatherings where the Aurovilians come together for special occasions. 

Q. When will Auroville be completed? 
A. No date has been set. At the present rate of growth it's hopeful that the town shall be reaching a population of 5000 residents by its 50th anniversary, in 2018.
Meanwhile, what is more important than dates and numbers to Auroville is the quality of everything, specially the quality and consciousness of its participants. 

Q. Do you have a public transport system? 
A. Yes, of a very limited nature. Auroville has a number of buses, vans and jeeps which meet essential community needs, such as transporting children to school, carrying goods around the community, taking people to Pondicherry, etc. What is only at its early steps, however, is a fully developed collective transport system which can carry people around the community throughout the day and evening. The complete system has yet to be planned, funded and developed. 

Q. Where does your water come from? 
A. Almost entirely from aquifers below ground. There are essentially three levels from which water is drawn up using electrical, diesel, solar or wind energy as appropriate. The first aquifer is at approx 40 metres, the second at approx 60-100 metres, and the third at approx 150-250 metres. A small amount of water is also recycled via purification plants, but can only be used for gardens and agricultural purposes.

Other frequently asked questions

On vision
On the city
On organisation & credentials
On society
On art & culture
On economy
On education
On health
On journals & media
On coming to Auroville

Vision

It is like the Force, the central Force of Auroville, the cohesive Force of Auroville.

  • Evolution of the galaxy concept of Auroville's masterplan
  • Architecture - Words of Wisdom
  • The Galaxy concept of the city
  • Matrimandir - Soul of the City

What you can do

Viewing point 3105
Visiting the Matrimandir
Share this page

Modal title

City Layout

Iz plan for leaflet
International Zone (IZ) and National / Cultural Pavilions
Planet fountain
Water ceremony for Auroville's 50th anniversary
Greenbelt
The Green Belt
Residentialzone
Residential Zone
Culturalzone
The Cultural Zone
Auroville 01
Architectural Case Study on Auroville              by Medha Ha...
Unexpected garden 3544
Garden of the Unexpected
  • Vision

  • The Auroville Charter
  • A Dream
  • To be a True Aurovilian
  • The Galaxy Concept of the City
  • Matrimandir - Soul of the City
  • Founder: The Mother
  • Visionary: Sri Aurobindo
  • Words of Wisdom
  • Integral Yoga
  • Activities

  • Matrimandir
  • Planning & Architecture
  • Green Practices
  • Education & Research
  • Art & Culture
  • Health & Wellness
  • Social Enterprises
  • Media & Communication
  • Rural Development
  • City Services
  • Community

  • Auroville in Brief
  • Testimonials & Support
  • Organisation & Governance
  • Society
  • Economy
  • History
  • People
  • What You Can Do

  • Visit & Stay
  • Volunteer & Intern
  • Study in Auroville
  • Join Auroville
  • Workshops & Therapies
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Contact Nearby Centre
Disclaimer Contact Sign in

Sign in

Forgot your password?