"Auroville wants 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."
I spent two fabulous weeks exploring this international community. It's a UNESCO site and does not belong to India. I took a few courses, joined in some dance groups, learned about organic gardening in India (rough!), met some incredibly creative and innovative people/communities and sampled the best ice cream on earth! MMMMMMmmm, rose petal ice cream!!!
Of course there were some problems with this dream city but once I realised the struggles in Auroville I just tried to enjoy what was here and what was being created. Beauty and inspiration...
And this, pictured here, was the second tree house I lived in during my stay. The birds woke me up and the wind and chirpy insects lulled me to sleep.
Most houses and structures are made from natural resources and there is a big concentration on reusing and reducing. I found a Trashion Show art exhibit at the gallery where they displayed different pieces and clothes that were wore at their community event that recycled old materials into fashionable ones!
FANCY GARBAGE!
And oh the food!!! Almost all the food is locally grow and organic. There is an incredible community kitchen called Solar Kitchen where a huge round solar bowl collects enough solar energy to cook over 1000 meals a day.
For $1 or 2 you can join in the community buffet for a delicious and nutritious lunch or dinner. Beside the Solar Kitchen is the Free Store and Food Dispensary. Local Aurovillians can come to the free store to choose free clothes and they pay a small monthly fee to receive local, organic goods from the dispensary. Dynamized, filtered water is found all around town and a couple yummy bakeries keep the locals happy and all buttered up!
I spoke with a few Auroville farmers and many volunteers about the trials and tribulations of farming in India. The weather is a constant battle, water conservation and the floods can wipe out/drown a crop on bad monsoon years. Then there are the locals...local cows wander in and try to munch up everything green in site, local pollution from cars and deet spraying pesticides can leach into water or float over airborne. And local villagers may try their luck at night, taking anything from fences to cashews or perfectly ripe pineapples to sell the next day. But, still they prevail and there is so much hope, love and dedication to the land that the farmers and volunteers are happy to keep working with the soil. Since Auroville, and the community of Sadhana Forest in particular, have come to grow the water level has risen 6 meters, 25 bird species have come to make Auroville their home- a huge success for the land, locals and Auroville.
Fond memories: full moons, insense dreams, the thrill of being upside down, monkey-play, Frenchie, hammock harmony, watsu wisdom, forest-jumping energy and heart clinging moments of bliss.
I wish Auroville inspiration, clean, beautiful spaces and creative energy! Slowly, slowly their dream becomes a reality.
