This is probably one of the weirdest places I've ever been to.
Auroville is a universal town, open to every citizen in the world, and it's purpose is to "realise human unity". In the late 60s, when the town was founded by a french spiritual leader called "La Mère", people came to live here from all over the world.
The basic rules of the city are that it has no leader nor money, its citizens have to contribute to the community and carry out 'spiritual researches'. Many volunteers go there, intrigued by such a different society.
Supported by UNESCO and the EU, the city promotes green energy and sustainable development -
for instance they grow organic plants and give their seeds to indian farmers for free. They also educate kids from the nearby villages and provide health care. There are about 2,500 people living in Auroville today, and more than one out of ten is French.
However, there are many limits to this utopian social experiment. Reports show that the Aurovillians use local people (the Tamils) as servants, which goes against the very principles of equality upon which the city was built. Also, Tamils often aren't allowed to become Auroville citizens, even though the city calls itself universal.
Even though I couldn't see myself living here - for the simple reason that I'd never be patient enough to practice Yoga every day - I'll definitely come back in twenty years to see this social experiment in human unity and evolution will have been successful.
That big golden golf ball is the Matrimandir, which is a place where Aurovillians go to meditate and practice Integral Yoga. It was designed by french architect Roger Anger.
Auroville is a universal town, open to every citizen in the world, and it's purpose is to "realise human unity". In the late 60s, when the town was founded by a french spiritual leader called "La Mère", people came to live here from all over the world.
The basic rules of the city are that it has no leader nor money, its citizens have to contribute to the community and carry out 'spiritual researches'. Many volunteers go there, intrigued by such a different society.
Supported by UNESCO and the EU, the city promotes green energy and sustainable development -
for instance they grow organic plants and give their seeds to indian farmers for free. They also educate kids from the nearby villages and provide health care. There are about 2,500 people living in Auroville today, and more than one out of ten is French.
However, there are many limits to this utopian social experiment. Reports show that the Aurovillians use local people (the Tamils) as servants, which goes against the very principles of equality upon which the city was built. Also, Tamils often aren't allowed to become Auroville citizens, even though the city calls itself universal.
Even though I couldn't see myself living here - for the simple reason that I'd never be patient enough to practice Yoga every day - I'll definitely come back in twenty years to see this social experiment in human unity and evolution will have been successful.
That big golden golf ball is the Matrimandir, which is a place where Aurovillians go to meditate and practice Integral Yoga. It was designed by french architect Roger Anger.
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