I have never had second thoughts about visiting a place in my entire travelling history. That was until I booked a trip to Auroville with my parents. I won’t lie. Auroville, as a family trip destination, is an unusual choice. It isn’t a chilly north Indian hidden gem like Jibhi or it’s offbeat, yet gorgeous neighbouring destination like Naggar where you at least have a clue of what to expect. However, it has it’s own uniqueness. Auroville is an experimental township in India that harbours the ambition of being a global town where people of all nationalities, cultures, and belief systems willingly serve the divine consciousness and live in peace, harmony, and unity. What is special about Auroville is that it is a place with no money, no religion, no skyscrapers, no “typical tourist attractions”, and no official government. Sounds utopian, almost otherwordly, right?! That’s Auroville for you. So it was no surprise that questions like – “Is Auroville safe?”, “Is Auroville a cult?”, “Is Auroville worth visiting?”, “Are there any interesting things to do in Auroville?” featured in my google search list, well before I booked our flight tickets to Chennai.
Founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa and designed by architect Roger Anger, Auroville is situated about 10 km north of the beautiful city of Pondicherry.
It’s also called the “City of Dawn” as it has it’s origins in the French language with “Auro” meaning dawn and “Ville” meaning city/town. A major part of Auroville lies in the Viluppuram district in Tamil Nadu, with some parts in Pondicherry as well.
The people in Auroville, also called ‘Aurovillians’, practise the principle of sustainable living. They believe in respecting and loving the land they live on.
Hence, they adopt a lifestyle that reduces overall pollution, promotes afforestation, encourages water conservation and minimizes dependence on fossil fuels while harnessing the power of renewable sources of energy.
Best Time To Visit Auroville
In general, you can visit Auroville at any time of the year. But the ideal period to visit Auroville is from October to mid-March (winter season). The weather, during this time, is pleasant and therefore, you can explore the place comfortably at your own leisurely pace.
The temperatures range between 16°C and 30°C. It is a period that consists of a part of the “off-shoulder travel season” and most of the peak travel season, so keep an eye out for cheaper accommodation rates during the former.
How To Visit Auroville
You can get to Auroville from both- Chennai and Pondicherry. You can board a direct flight or a train to get to either of these destinations (depending on your budget).
From Chennai
By taxi – You can, like me, directly rent a taxi from Chennai International Airport (MAA). Head to the pre-paid taxi booth in the Arrival zone of the airport and pay for your ride. Then, a local will guide you to a counter where a guy will assign a car to you (by giving you a ticket) that will drop you at your preferred property in Auroville. Once you have your ticket, you can easily board the taxi. The travel time is about 2.5 hours.
By train – Hop onto a local train from Park Town Station for Guindi. The Park Town station is nearby MGR Chennai Central Railway Station. After getting down at Guindi station, take a bus for Pondicherry and ask the driver to drop you at the Auroville junction on ECR road. Across the Auroville bus stop, you can spot several local rickshaws that will drop you at your Auroville accommodation.
By bus – Take a By-Pass bus for Pondicherry from across the Koyambedu Bus Stand. Ask the bus driver to drop you at the Auroville junction on ECR Road. From the junction, you can take an auto or contact Auroville’s Shared Transport Service (STS) to arrange for a drop to your accommodation of choice.
From Pondicherry
By bus – You can board a direct bus from the Puducherry bus terminal to the Auroville Visitor’s Centre. From there, you can hire a local autorickshaw/cab to get to your stay of choice.
By taxi – Be it the East Coast Road (ECR) junction or the Puducherry Railway Station, you can hire a private auto/cab or call Auroville’s Shared Transport Service (STS) to book an Auroville taxi to your destination.
Auroville Hotels: Places To Stay In Auroville
Since tourism isn’t exactly a thing in Auroville you won’t find your typical famous hotel chains and five-star resorts as far as places to stay are concerned. But what you will find are guest houses, hostels, villas, apartments, yoga retreats, and lesser-known economical heritage resorts/hotels.
You have the option to either stay in Auroville or near Pondicherry. Here are some of my accommodation recommendations.
My Personal Auroville Stay Recommendation
>> OSTEL.IN
I have personally never stayed with my family in a luxury self-service hostel that prides itself on community living. But Ostel.in comes under this interesting category. Ostel is just a stone’s throw away from Auroville and the famous White Town of Pondicherry.
It is basically a multi-storeyed beach house located on Repo beach, with access to stunning views of the ocean. It has both deluxe dorms and private suite rooms. Based on your comfort, dorms are available in 2 categories: mixed and female.
We decided to stay in the 2 luxurious private rooms- one of them being a premium courtyard suite and the other, a deluxe sea-facing suite.
The rooms, equipped with modern amenities, are spacious and have a rustic feel to them, thanks to the brick walls and minimalistic wooden furniture.
The bathrooms are big and have ample shower space. You get a glimpse of the ocean from the courtyard room.
But the large glass windows of the sea-facing suite ensure that you get an unobstructed, healthy dose of Vitamin Sea.
The property has a cute pool and a guest lobby cum resting room where you can chill with your friends and socialize with other fellow travellers.
It also has a small cafe and a common hangout area where you can sip your evening coffee or have a sumptuous meal.
My favourite part of the property, however, is the terrace because it boasts a panoramic ocean view you simply can’t get enough of!
The owners of Ostel – Akansha Bansal and Kandarp Mehta are warm, amiable, cooperative, and usually present at the property to guide you and help you plan your itinerary for the day. They are largely responsible for the homely vibe of the property.
To summarize, if “luxury on a budget” accommodation with the best sunrise views sounds like a good deal to you, then go right ahead and unabashedly book your stay at Ostel.in.
My Other Auroville Stay Recommendations
Budget Auroville Stays
1. Gaia’s Garden Guest House: Check out this guest house and book your stay by clicking here.
2. Green’s Guest House: Check out this property and book your stay by clicking here.
3. The Annex, Isai Ambalam Guest House: Check out this guest house and book your stay by clicking here.
4. Beyond Community: Check out this property and book your stay by clicking here.
5. Sharnga Guest House: Check out this guest house and book your stay by clicking here.
Mid-budget Luxury Auroville Stays
1. Canopy Guest House: Check out this luxury guest house and book your stay by clicking here.
2. Temple Tree Retreat: Check out this luxury retreat and book your stay by clicking here.
3. Sun Farm House: Check out this farmhouse property and book your stay by clicking here.
4. Treebo Tryst Villa Escape In: Check out this villa property and book your stay by clicking here.
5. Wow Farm House: Check out this farmhouse property and book your stay by clicking here.
Top 12 Things To Do In Auroville, Pondicherry
1. Have Breakfast At Auroville Bakery (Boulangerie)
Start your morning on a pleasant note by having a delicious breakfast at Auroville Bakery & Restaurant. The best part about this place is that it’s the only food joint in Auroville that opens at 7 am.
So if you arrive early, you get a first taste of the fresh stock of bread and croissants. The seating is set up inside a garden so the ambience is lush green and peaceful.
As far as food recommendations go, I’d suggest you try their red rice masala dosa, idli sambar, muesli fruit salad, mushroom omelette, chocolate croissant, masala chai, cappuccino, butter toast with orange marmalade, and any of the fresh juices.
The only complaint with the place? Service can be painstakingly slow at times because the bakery is short-staffed.
2. Visit Auroville Matrimandir For An Inner Chamber Meditation Session
This is by far one of the most important things to do in Auroville. Matrimandir is the spiritual epicentre of Auroville where visitors and practitioners of integral yoga go to concentrate and experience inner peace.
It is the most popular place to visit in Auroville and deservedly so. Construction of the Matrimandir took 37 years to complete (1971-2008). It was designed by French architect Roger Anger.
The name “Matrimandir” simply means “Temple of the Mother”. The ‘Mother’ being referred to here is Mirra Alfassa, the founder of Auroville township.
It’s also called the “Soul of the city” as it not only lies in the geographical centre of Auroville but also encapsulates it’s principle of unity and harmony beyond borders.
To book a Matrimandir inner chamber meditation session,
- Write an email to the Access Group id “mmconcentration@auroville.org.in“.
- In the email, mention your full name, D.O.B. (date of birth), and Adhaar/Passport number. If you’re going with your family/friends, then mention their names, D.O.Bs, and Adhaar/Passport numbers separately as well.
- Mention your permanent residential address and the address of your registered stay in Auroville. In the case of families, mentioning one common permanent & stay address should suffice. If you’re a group but staying in different accommodations in Auroville, then mention the addresses separately.
- Attach pictures of your Id Proof (both front and back side) and invoice proof of your registered Auroville stay.
Once you get a confirmation mail with a booking number on the date of your choice, visit the Green Spot at the Auroville Visitor’s Centre at 8:30 am. Do not forget to carry your valid Id proof that you submitted on mail.
First, you will attend a brief video introduction session on the Matrimandir, it’s construction and it’s history, in an audience hall. Then, you will stand in line to collect your visitation pass and board the bus to Matrimandir.
The bus will drop you at the Office Gate where you will submit your phone, cameras, and other belongings at the counter and collect a coupon for them.
Then you will head to a seating area that overlooks the majestic golden Matrimandir and it’s surrounding lush green “Park of Unity”.
A local Aurovillian will guide you to a huge Banyan tree for some silent concentration and self-reflection.
After this, you’ll walk to a small cascade fountain zone underneath the Matrimandir where you’ll sit in a circle and meditate. From there, a volunteer will guide you to the Inner Chamber.
Inside the Matrimandir, you will witness exquisite architecture and experience a surreal sort of calmness. The message “Anandmayi Chaitanyamayi Satyamayi Parmey ॐ” adorns the white marble structure that you’ll cross while climbing the stairway to the inner chamber.
Once inside the chamber, you’ll see a shining crystal ball at the centre, with a bright ray of light falling on it from the top. The chamber is essentially a completely white hall with huge white pillars supporting the dome ceiling.
Just the whole experience of focussing on the light falling on the crystal ball and meditating in silence is magical.
The quiet ambience can be overwhelming. Words don’t do justice to the feeling of inner peace that you experience inside the Matrimandir.
My parents & I absolutely loved the whole spiritual vibe of Matrimandir, which is why I strongly suggest you visit it with your friends and family. I can bet you’ve never seen and experienced anything like it.
Note: Remember to make the booking at least 3-7 days in advance to avoid disappointment at the last minute. Entry is free of charge. For booking timings and other information, click here.
Tip: If you like the experience and book an appointment for the meditation session a second time, you not only get preference over other first-time visitors, but you also get easy access, more time in the inner chamber, and access to the leaf wings of the Matrimandir.
3. Shop At La Boutique De Auroville
If you’re a fan of shopping, then one of the best things to do in Auroville is to shop at La Boutique De Auroville. It’s located inside the Auroville Visitor’s Centre premises itself.
La Boutique De Auroville is a beautiful store that sells a wide range of local authentic Auroville handicrafts like jewellery, clothing, soaps, candles, decorative furnishings, musical instruments, paintings, Ayurvedic aromatherapy items, handbags, magnets, postcards, perfumes, keychains etc.
It’s an ideal retail therapy experience where you can easily spend 30 minutes to an hour inside the boutique store, putting your credit/debit card to work.
4. Enjoy A Meal At Right Path Cafe (Cafeteria)
Right across La Boutique De Auroville is a cafe cum restaurant called the “Right Path Cafe”. You can spot it with the “Cafeteria” sign on an arched brick wall.
With spacious indoor and outdoor seating areas, the cafe serves as the perfect resting spot post your Matrimandir Inner Chamber visit. The cafe serves freshly baked cakes, tarts, organic teas and coffees, fresh fruit juices, kombucha, kulfis, samosas, sandwiches, dosas, idlis & ice creams.
There’s also a lunch menu that includes soups, salads, pasta, pizzas, organic Indian meals, flower syrups with soda, and mini thalis that include a variety of Indian curries.
Some of my food recommendations from the menu would be the almond cake, hibiscus flower syrup with soda, organic omelette with bread, mushroom tart with salad, pesto pasta, vegetarian mini thali, organic herb rice, popeye pizza and zucchini vegan tart.
5. Visit Unity Pavilion
The Unity Pavilion is a complex that acts as the unifying symbol of various cultures from across the globe. Located in the International Zone, it acts as the experimental ground for the birth of distinct cultural pavilions of different nations.
It hosts a range of activities and workshops that promote research work on philosophies like human unity and unity in diversity.
At the entrance, you’ll see a Universal Earthen Wall made with 98 soil samples from 27 countries, celebrating the spirit of unity in diversity. The Unity Pavilion consists of
- A multi-purpose hall for guest lectures, art exhibitions, workshops, and other events.
- The “Hall of Peace” which houses the famous Asian Peace Table (made from Eastern Black Walnut trees) designed by architect and craftsman George Nakashima.
- An office building that hosts the local Aurovillian internship programs, International Zone group, and other cultural pavilion groups.
I was particularly fascinated by the ‘Peace Table’ and the spectacular artwork from different artists across the globe.
Artworks belonging to artists – Augustin and Lugino Fabozzi were my favourites. Just seeing the world through the eyes of artists, as they create magic with their brushes, is therapeutic.
Note: Entry is free of charge.
6. Have Lunch At Naturellement Garden Cafe
Naturellement Garden Cafe is an open-air eatery with a lovely, inviting ambience. The cafe prides itself on the use of organic farm ingredients in it’s dishes across the menu.
And the freshness of the ingredients can be experienced in the flavour too, as the food tastes lip-smackingly good. Enjoy sitting amidst the greenery and relishing the food that the cafe has to offer.
My food recommendations from the menu would be the ravioli spinach ricotta, egg galette, pesto pasta, ragi galette with tomato sauce and herb cheese, hummus plate, Thai curry, hibiscus syrup with soda, and spirulina drink.
The cafe also has a small store on it’s premises from where you can buy traditionally handcrafted organic foods like jams, nut butters, flower syrups, jellies and marmalades, muesli etc.
Note: Beware of mosquitoes. Carry a mosquito repellant with you if you’re choosing to sit outdoors.
7. Take A Tour Of Savitri Bhavan
Situated next to the Unity Pavilion, the Savitri Bhavan is a centre of spiritual education in Auroville. This education is centered around the teachings and vision of Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Alfassa (also referred to as “the Mother”).
The primary objective of the Savitri Bhavan is to gather all kinds of study materials and activities that will
- encourage a basic understanding of the principles, lives, and work of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
- promote a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the philosophies, objectives, and ideals of Auroville.
A book of epic poetry written in blank verse by Sri Aurobindo called “Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol” is the cornerstone of the Savitri Bhavan.
Through this poem, Sri Aurobindo explores the purpose of life on earth, the reason for human suffering, and the spiritual evolution of human life, while foreseeing a bright future for humanity.
The Savitri Bhavan has an art gallery exhibition that takes you through the entire lives of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, highlighting the most important events in their journey through beautiful portraits.
It also has a reading room, a digital library, and a big amphitheatre. You can easily spend an hour or two touring the place at a leisurely pace.
Note: Entry is free of charge.
8. Relish An Evening Coffee At Marc’s Cafe
Marc’s Cafe is hands down the best coffee place in Auroville. Here, you get to relish some of the best authentic brewed coffee and freshly baked cakes and bread items in an Irish cafe-like ambience.
Be it the cosy, warm lighting inside the cafe or the friendly guy at the counter taking your orders with a smile, the overall vibe of the place is pretty relaxed.
The coffee here is made from carefully selected beans sourced from South Indian estates. And this is cleverly shown in the form of a marked map on the wooden tables as well.
Some of the must-try items on the menu are – house cold coffee, flat white, masala chai, vegan chocolate brownie, vegan banana walnut cake, keto cracker, chocolate almond cake, vegan butter cookie, and the classic cappuccino.
Marc’s Cafe also has a store (right next to the cafe area) from where you can indulge in a bit of shopping.
9. Enjoy A Sunset Stroll Along Quiet Beach
Can anything trump the feeling of the ocean waves kissing your feet while you’re walking along soft brown sands, basking in the golden light during sunset? No, right? That’s exactly what evenings at Quiet Beach have to offer.
Situated next to the Quiet Healing Centre, Quiet Beach, contrary to it’s name, is constantly buzzing thanks to the plinking sound of the playful waves.
The beach is clean, and safe for children to play at. The water current isn’t that strong so you can head for a swim.
Add to this ambience, a glorious setting sun slowly descending below the horizon and you have the perfect opportunity to capture beautiful pictures in soft golden light.
No wonder enjoying a sunset stroll along Quiet Beach is one of the most blissful things to do in Auroville.
Note: Entry is free of charge. 4:30 pm-6 pm is an ideal time to visit Quiet Beach. There is a beach called Serenity Beach located right next to Quiet Beach but I wouldn’t suggest visiting it because it’s crowded and dirty.
10. Explore Sadhana Forest Through A Walking Tour
Sadhana Forest is an ecological reforestation and water conservation project undertaken by local Aurovillians and volunteers in an effort to introduce the concept of sustainable living to the people.
The project was established in 2003 in Auroville, Tamil Nadu, India.
Thanks to their relentless dedication towards their mission, they have already succeeded in converting a major part of the eroded, arid land into a fertile, lush green, self-sustaining forest.
The community living here is friendly, large-hearted, and welcomes outsiders/visitors with open arms.
Since the word Sadhana comes from the Sanskrit language that means ” a discipline undertaken in pursuit of a spiritual practice”, they named the forest Sadhana forest to indicate that creating this project is their form of spiritual practice.
They also promote veganism as a food and lifestyle choice since each day a person who eats a vegan diet saves
- 4000 litres of water
- 20 kg of grain
- 3m2 of forested land
- 9 kg of Co2 (Carbon dioxide) &
- 1 animal’s life
This sustainable living initiative has been successfully undertaken in Haiti and Kenya as well.
Once you enter the Sadhana forest, a local community member will welcome you and assign a guide who will explain to you the concept behind this forest and the ways of living adopted by the community members.
Then you will be guided to a huge man-made hut where you can read about the forest and it’s history. You will also witness local community members participating in activities and discussions.
Some of my learnings from my interaction with the local guide were as follows –
1. They use smart, effective techniques that save water in basic everyday activities like washing hands, cleaning utensils, cooking etc.
2. They harness the power of renewable solar energy to generate electricity through solar panels. Sometimes, it can also involve the practice of cycling to produce electricity naturally.
3. To achieve the goal of minimal waste production, both men and women from the community use compost toilets for sanitation. The waste that’s produced is again used as manure to fertilize the land and make it rich in nutrients.
4. They live in eco-friendly self-made tree houses and sleep in natural ventilation instead of using electronic appliances like fans, and air conditioners.
5. They have a set routine and believe in waking up early, doing community work during the day and having dinner before sunset.
6. Unity is the binding force among the people here as they do all the activities together as a community and their bonding can be seen even from a distance.
7. They organize a non-talent show during the week where anybody with zero talent in any particular skill also has to turn up on stage and entertain members of the community.
Spending time in the Sadhana forest is an education in itself and hence, it’s one of the most offbeat and interesting things to do in Auroville.
If you stay until the afternoon, they also invite you to share a free vegan meal with them, which speaks volumes about their hospitality.
11. Experience Rejuvenating Aquatic Therapy At Quiet Healing Centre
After all the walking and exploring, it’s now time for you to soothe your senses. Located on Quiet beach, the Quiet Healing Centre is a health spa and wellness centre that offers a wide range of treatments and therapies for you to choose from.
You can make an advance booking at the main reception counter for the treatment/therapy of your choice. My dad chose the Ayurvedic Niramaya Oil Massage while my mom & I chose the Watsu Aquatic Bodywork Therapy. And boy, were we glad that we chose Watsu!
In Watsu Aquatic Therapy, your practitioner first meets you and gets to know your comfort with water. He asks you questions about your body and enquires if you have any breathing issues or fear of being underwater.
Then he gives you a basic idea of the cues to catch while being in the pool in the middle of the treatment. Once you’re ready, he meets you inside a warm water pool and then the magic begins.
The therapist folds, stretches, moves and makes your floating body dance to his tunes. You experience a sort of weightlessness that’s hard to describe in words. At a point, the bodywork got to a stage where I could hear my heartbeat in the silence underneath the water.
Watsu treatment is based on the receiver’s ability to let go and submit to the practitioner. The more faith you keep in your practitioner, the more fun you’ll have during the treatment. Because this aquatic treatment is one of a kind, I would highly recommend you to try it.
12. Have An Organic Farm Lunch At Auroville Botanical Gardens
One of the most interesting things to do in Auroville is to explore the exquisite flora and enjoy an organic farm lunch at the Auroville Botanical Gardens. The Botanical garden project began in August 2000.
It is currently spread over an area of 50 acres, with the aim of studying and preserving the tropical dry evergreen forest. It is also a research site where environmentally friendly ways of land management are practised.
On entering the premises, go to the visitor’s hall. Here you’ll get a map and brochure of the place.
Enjoy the sight of neatly landscaped gardens while walking on uniquely patterned pathways. During your stroll, you might notice local Aurovillians and volunteers working actively in the gardens.
Be it the well-maintained plant nurseries with over 1300 plant species, the wonderful orchid pavilion, the cute treehouse or the thematically designed gardens around the lotus pond, you’ll observe that the place has a positive and tranquil vibe to it.
Once you’re done exploring, head to the kitchen area near the treehouse. Here, the local caretakers offer you an organic farm lunch for a mere 140 rupees.
The lunch is basically a delectable vegetarian thali that comprises white and brown rice, sambar, cabbage poriyal, rasam, salad, and a glass of tangy lemonade.
The food is simple, light, appetizing and truly soul-satisfying which is why I highly recommend you this authentic gastronomical experience.
Conclusion
From being sceptical about visiting Auroville to eventually falling in love with it, my experience at the place was truly memorable. Auroville is a secret gem of a destination that wins you over with it’s simplicity and it’s idiosyncratic philosophy of human unity.
So is Auroville worth visiting with friends and/or family? Definitely! My parents loved their time in Auroville and give it a unanimous thumbs up.
However, keep your expectations in check as it’s not a tourist destination but a spiritual centre that fosters peace and unity beyond borders.
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[…] to people of all age groups. I recently explored the lengths and breadths of Pondicherry & Auroville with my family and it turned out to be one of my best family vacations in India, to be honest. […]