Auroville: A spiritual-social experiment in human unity and evolution

Inspired by the ideas of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, an international ‘city of the future’ was set up in 1968 in southern India. Auroville's mission is “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 realise human unity”. The ‘Matrimandir’ at the centre of the township is the symbolic and spiritual core of the city. This vibrant community of 1800 residents today has been experimenting and innovating for transformation that has three aspects: the spiritual, the social and the ecological. The origin of this fascinating experiment, the design of the township, the ecological restoration and greening carried out, the social and economic organisation of the Auroville community, its governance and its interaction with the neighbouring villages are described here. The manner and the extent to which the community attempts to live by its guiding ideas and principles are discussed. Finally, the reasons that make Auroville a radically transformative and futuristic initiative are discussed.