This is what the modern youth came to do

On the 28th February 1968

the youth of the world came

to lay the foundation stone of Auroville,

the town dedicated to the youth of the world.

A boy and a girl

from many countries

came to Aurovile

bringing with them a handful of earth

from their country.

The earth of all lands was put

into the foundation-stone structure

as a symbol

of their determination

to realise a true universal harmony

l Where is Auroville situated

Auroville is mainly in the state of Tamil Nadu but also covers some area in Pondichery. It is planned to cover an area of about 15 sq. miles.

l Auroville – A glimpse

A modern and beautiful township with provision for about 50,000 residents in the main town, 20,000 in the model villages in its green belt, and 30,000 in its subsidiary projects, Auruville will combine the modern amenities of living, with artistic beauty. The town is being developed on a circular plan of urbanisation, giving equal place to the four fundamental aspects of man’s activity:

Dwelling – Residential Zone

Work – Industrial Zone

Culture – Cultural Zone

Social Relations – International Zone

The Matrimandir.

At the centre of the town, a Park of Unity will be formed by a crown of gardens overhanging a lake which will surround the Sanctuary of Truth with the Matrimandir. The Sanctuary of Truth, by its form and position, will be the heart of the town, the dominating point of Auroville opening to the Light.

Each Zone will occupy its position and importance in relation to the spiritual centre of the town, which will dominate the architecture ensemble and will be a constant reminder of the “raison d’etre” of Auroville.

The Matrimandir, at the centre of Auroville, has a shape symbolising the fundamental unity of creation. Its golden sphere emerges out of the earth crater. In its centre, there is a luminous crystal which reflects the rays of the sun, thereby lighting the four petal-shaped mediation areas around the crystal.

The names given by the Mother for the twelve gardens surrounding the Matrimandir are:

Existence; Consciousness; Bliss; Light; Life; Power; Wealth; Utility; Progress; Youth; Harmony; and Perfection

At some distance stands a lotus-shaped urn in white marble which contains handfuls of soil from many nations that were blended on February 28, 1968 to symbolise the coming together of nations.

(Extracted from Sri Aurobindo’s Action, October 1971. Courtesy: Sri Aurobindo’s Action)