Between the lines
On the surface, Auroville can appear rather
incomprehensible. It is an intense and challenging experiment,
attempting the seemingly impossible, and one needs to be ready to
actively participate in such an adventure. The meaning of Auroville only
becomes clearer in the context of the vision
of its founders, which has stimulated people from all over the world to
join in this ‘laboratory of evolution’.
For casual visitors
Visitors to Auroville are sometimes disappointed
to find here no Ashram, no typical tourist attractions or generally
welcoming atmosphere. This is firstly because Auroville is quite
different to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, where people are considered to
have consecrated their lives to integral
yoga (as compared, in Auroville, to an experiment in human unity),
and secondly because Auroville is not a tourist place, despite being
referred to in travel and tourist literature, and does not devote as
much time and energy to welcoming tourists as sites established
specifically for that purpose.
Casual/day visitors are encouraged to go first to
the Visitors Centre , which is open daily from 9:00 to 17:30, and offers
information, exhibitions, a video viewing facility, a cafeteria and
shopping facilities.
Those who come with a deeper interest and actually
want to visit one of Auroville's projects should make an appointment
with the concerned place through the Information Desk at the Visitors
Centre.
Accommodation
Guest accommodation is available in various settlements
around the township area. The charges vary between Rs 150 and Rs 1000
per person per night depending on the type of accommodation and facilities
provided. Pre-booking is advised, specially for the December to March
and August-September periods. This can be done either through the Auroville
Guest Service, located upstairs at the Solar
Kitchen (avguests@auroville.org.in),
or by contacting one of the guest houses
directly
Guest contribution
Note that each guest is asked, as are the
Aurovilians, to contribute financially towards the maintenance and
development of the township and its infrastructure (water, roads,
electricity, afforestation, farms, education and so on...). At the
present time guests are requested to give a contribution of Rs 60 per
day per adult or Rs 30 per day per teenager (aged 12 to 19). For
children below the age of 12 no payment is required. There is also a
student rate of Rs 30 per day.
The guest contribution is reduced to Rs 50 if the
stay is for one month or longer. Please note that this contribution is
NOT included in the guesthouse price.
Guest Card
Upon payment of this contribution, Guest Passes/
Cards are issued by some of the major guesthouses, by the Financial
Service near Aspiration and the Guest Service at Solar
Kitchen. This Pass will enable you to move more freely through the
township since for certain facilities and services you will need to show
it.
General cost
A meal at the Solar Kitchen costs Rs 60, Guest Card
is required.
A good meal in Pondicherry costs around Rs 100, or
more, depending on the class of establishment.
Cycle rental is around Rs 20 a day.
TVS and motor bike rental is around Rs 80 to 100
a day.
The Auroville bus to Pondy (3 times a week) is
free, Guest Card is required.
Classes (yoga, dance and so on) require normally
a contribution of Rs 100 from guests, Guest Card required.
Massages and haircuts are around Rs 300.
Activities
Visitors Centre: See the bulletin board for
various activities and programmes for newcomers and guests.
Guest Service: located upstairs at the
Solar Kitchen; offers a wide range of information and guidance.
Guest week A:
five day tour by bicycle through Auroville. For more information contact
ambre@auroville.org.in
Guest week
B: three day tour by bicycle through Auroville. For more information
contact ross@auroville.org.in
Pitanga Hall
(Samasti): exhibitions, hatha yoga, dance, t'ai chi and therapeutic
massage.
Quiet Healing
Centre : offers a wide variety of treatments, classes and
courses.
Vérité: yoga, creativity, vipassana
meditation, inner healing workshops. For actual programmes check
directly with members of the community.
Pony Farm:
located in Kottakarai, offers pony riding to guests. A charge is made.
Libraries:
Auroville Library lends books to guests
against production of a Guest Card (see below).
Laboratory of
Evolution will lend books to guests for Rs. 200 deposit.
Work opportunities:
Long-term guests can refer to the AV Guest Service
at Solar Kitchen avguests@auroville.org.in
,
or contact Connections connections@auroville.org.in
at the SAWCHU building, Bharat Nivas. Students opting for a
work/research programme, may contact unity@auroville.org.in
at the SAWCHU building for the same.
Additional Information
-
Because of occasional theft, you are advised
to deposit your passport, air ticket and valuables in the guesthouse
safe.
-
As there have been occasional incidents on the
roads over the years, women are specially advised not to walk or
cycle alone anywhere after dark.
-
Please, do not encourage begging.
-
Please, respect the local customs regarding
behaviour. Also, noting that Indian women generally dress very
modestly, Western women are specially advised to dress in a similar
fashion, in order not to send out the wrong message and attract
unwanted attention. This also applies at the beach, where one-piece
swimming costumes are advised.
-
Indian Standard Time (IST) is five and half
hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
-
The approximate rate of exchange is: see
here
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