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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2015}}
{{Advert|date=October 2019}}
{{Short description|Experimental township in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, South India}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Auroville
| native_name              = 
| native_name_lang         = 
| other_name               = 
| settlement_type          = town
| image_skyline            = File:Town Hall of Auroville.jpg
| image_alt                = 
| image_caption            = Town hall of Auroville
| nickname                 = city of dawn
| map_alt                  = 
| map_caption              = 
| pushpin_map              = India Tamil Nadu
| pushpin_label_position   = right
| pushpin_map_alt          = 
| pushpin_map_caption      = 
| coordinates              = {{coord|12|0|25|N|79|48|38|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = India
| subdivision_type1        = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]]
| subdivision_name2        = Viluppuram
| established_title        = <!-- Established -->
| established_date         = 1968
| founder                  = Mirra Alfassa
| named_for                = Sri Aurobindo
| government_type          = Self-governance in collaboration with Central Govt.
| governing_body           = Resident's assembly
| unit_pref                = Metric
| area_footnotes           = 
| area_total_km2           = 
| area_rank                = 
| elevation_footnotes      = 
| elevation_m              = 
| population_total         = 2,814
| population_as_of         = 2018
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_rank          = 
| population_demonym       = Aurovilian,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.auroville.org/contents/526 |title=To be a True Aurovilian: Mother Explains How to Live in the World and - for the Divine - at the Same Time |publisher=auroville.org |date=19 January 2019 |access-date= 3 February 2019}}</ref> Aurovillian<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.auroville.org/contents/4567 |title=Solitude Farm Cafe |publisher=auroville.org |date=5 November 2018 |access-date=3 February 2019 }}</ref>
| demographics_type1       = Languages
| demographics1_title1     = Official
| timezone1                = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1              = +5:30
| postal_code_type         = 
| postal_code              = 605101
| area_code                = 0413
| area_code_type           = Telephone code
| registration_plate       = '''TN-16''', PY-01
| website                  = [http://www.auroville.org www.auroville.org]
| footnotes                = 
| demographics1_info1      = [[Sanskrit language | Sanskrit]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[English language|English]] and [[French language|French]]
| official_name            = 
| image_seal               = Auroville symbol.svg
}}
{{utopia}}
[[File:Destruction of Youth Centre, Auroville.png|thumb|Forceful destruction of Youth Centre, Auroville in Dec 2021]]
'''Auroville''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɔːr|ə|v|ɪ|l}}; '''City of Dawn''') is an [[intentional community|experimental township]] in [[Viluppuram district]], mostly in the state of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]], with some parts in the Union Territory of [[Pondicherry (union territory)|Pondicherry]] in [[India]].<ref name="brief"/> It was founded in 1968 by [[Mirra Alfassa]] (known as "the Mother") and designed by architect [[Roger Anger]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boloji.com/architecture/00053.htm |title=Roger Anger as architect |publisher=Boloji.com |access-date=26 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114073814/http://www.boloji.com/architecture/00053.htm |archive-date=14 January 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.architectureweek.com/2005/1116/culture_1-1.html |title=Auroville founded by Mira Richards |publisher=Architectureweek.com |date=16 November 2005 |access-date=26 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207170027/http://www.architectureweek.com/2005/1116/culture_1-1.html |archive-date=7 December 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.auroville.info/ACUR/templates/avfuture.htm |title=Mirra Alfassa as other name |publisher=Auroville.info |access-date=26 January 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525131918/http://www.auroville.info/ACUR/templates/avfuture.htm |archive-date=25 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Etymology==
Auroville has its origins in the French language, "Aurore" meaning dawn and "Ville" meaning village/city. Additionally, it is named after [[Sri Aurobindo]] (1872–1950).<ref name="unesco courier">[https://www.questia.com/magazine/1G1-13796203/auroville-the-fulfillment-of-a-dream Auroville, the Fulfillment of a Dream] by Lotfallah Soliman. UNESCO Courier. January 1993 Retrieved 28 May 2016.{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629230733/https://www.questia.com/magazine/1G1-13796203/auroville-the-fulfillment-of-a-dream|date=29 June 2016|title=}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Auroville 2018 stampsheet of India 2.jpg|thumb|2018 stamp sheet of India dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Auroville]]
At its Annual Conference in 1964 and with Mirra Alfassa as its Executive President, the Sri Aurobindo Society in [[Pondicherry]] passed a resolution for the establishment of a city dedicated to the vision of [[Sri Aurobindo]]. Alfassa was the spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo, who believed that "man is a transitional being". Alfassa expected that this experimental "universal township" would contribute significantly to the "progress of humanity towards its splendid future by bringing together people of goodwill and aspiration for a better world". Alfassa also believed that such a universal township will contribute decisively to the Indian renaissance.<ref>''Mother's Agenda,'' Vol. 9, dt.3.02.68</ref>

Alfassa's first public message in 1965 stated:

{{Quote | 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 realize human unity.| author=Mirra Alfassa<ref name="unesco courier"/>}}

===Site===
A site, approximately 20 square kilometres of barren wasteland, some 10&nbsp;km north of Pondicherry and 5&nbsp;km from the coast, was chosen for the city.<ref name="unesco courier"/>

===Inauguration===
The inauguration ceremony attended by delegates of 124 nations was held on Wednesday 28 February 1968. Handwritten in French by Mirra Alfassa ([[Mirra Alfassa|the Mother]]), its four-point [[charter]] set forth her vision of integral living:<ref>[http://www.auroville.org/contents/1 The Auroville Charter] Updated 25 October 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2016.</ref>

# Auroville belongs to nobody in particular. Auroville belongs to humanity as a whole. But to live in Auroville, one must be the willing servitor of the Divine Consciousness.
# Auroville will be the place of an unending education, of constant progress, and a youth that never ages.
# Auroville wants to be the bridge between the past and the future. Taking advantage of all discoveries from without and from within, Auroville will boldly spring towards future realizations.
# Auroville will be a site of material and spiritual researches for a living embodiment of an actual human unity.

==The Matrimandir==
[[File:The Matrimandir in Auroville, Tamil Nadu, India.jpg|left|thumb|The Matrimandir, a golden metallic sphere in the center of town]]
In the middle of the town is the [[Matrimandir]], which was conceived by Alfassa as "a symbol of the Divine's answer to man's aspiration for perfection". Silence is maintained inside the Matrimandir to ensure the tranquility of the space, and the entire area surrounding the Matrimandir is called the Peace area.
Inside the Matrimandir, a spiraling ramp leads upwards to an air-conditioned chamber of polished white marble referred to as "a place to find one's consciousness".

Matrimandir is equipped with a solar power plant and is surrounded by manicured gardens. When there is no sun or after the sunset, the sunray on the globe is replaced by a beam from a solar-powered light.

Radiating from this center are four "zones" of the City Area: the "Residential Zone", "Industrial Zone", "Cultural (& Educational) Zone" and "International Zone". Around the city or the urban area, lies a Green Belt which is an environmental research and resource area and includes farms and forestries, a botanical garden, seed bank, medicinal and herbal plants, water catchment bunds, and some communities.

==Legal status and government==
Prior to 1980, the Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry  legally owned all of the city's assets. In 1980, the [[Government of India]] passed the Auroville Emergency Provision Act 1980, under which it took over the city's management. The change was initiated when, after Mirra Alfassa's death in 1973, serious fissures in the day-to-day management developed between the Society and the city's residents. The residents appealed to [[Indira Gandhi]], then [[Prime Minister of India]] for an intervention. The Society challenged the Government's action in the [[Supreme Court of India]]. The final verdict upheld the constitutional validity of the government's action and intervention.

In 1988, after the verdict, a need was felt to make a lasting arrangement for the long term management of Auroville. The city's representatives along with Sh. Kireet Joshi, then Educational Advisor to the Union government, met for consultations with the then Prime Minister, [[Rajiv Gandhi]]. Later that year, the [https://auroville.org/page/auroville-foundation-act%C2%A01988 Auroville Foundation Act 1988], was passed by the [[Lok Sabha|Indian Parliament]]. The Act stipulated the vesting of all movable and immovable assets of the city in a foundation, known as Auroville Foundation<ref>[http://www.teindia.nic.in/mhrd/50yrsedu/x/7H/9D/7H9D0101.htm Auroville Foundation Act 1988] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630082850/http://www.teindia.nic.in/mhrd/50yrsedu/x/7H/9D/7H9D0101.htm |date=30 June 2016}} Teacher Education, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. Retrieved 28 May 2016.</ref> and the creation of a three-tier governing system: the Governing Board; the Residents' Assembly and the Auroville International Advisory Council.<ref>[http://www.teindia.nic.in/mhrd/50yrsedu/x/7H/9D/7H9D0301.htm The Auroville Foundation Act – 10 Establishment and incorporation of the Foundation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630081352/http://www.teindia.nic.in/mhrd/50yrsedu/x/7H/9D/7H9D0301.htm |date=30 June 2016}} Teacher Education, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. Retrieved 28 May 2016.</ref> The Governing Board selected by the Government of India consists of seven prominent Indians in the fields of education, culture, environment and social service in the areas of Auroville's ideals. The International Advisory Council comprises five members also selected by the Government, chosen from people who have rendered valuable service to humanity in the areas of Auroville's ideals. The Resident's Assembly consists of all official residents of the city. All three governing bodies are meant to work in harmony and collaborate to accomplish the ideals of Auroville as mentioned in the charter,  as per processes defined in the [https://lawsisto.com/Read-Central-Act/158/AUROVILLE-FOUNDATION-ACT-1988 Auroville Foundation Act]

The Auroville Foundation, headed by a chairman, is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Human Resource Development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://education.nic.in/cd50years/x/7H/9D/7H9D0101.htm |title=The Auroville Foundation Act (1988) |publisher=Education.nic.in |access-date=26 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212095936/http://education.nic.in/cd50years/x/7H/9D/7H9D0101.htm |archive-date=12 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://auroville.org/journals&media/newsandnotes/NewsNotes_no_251_July_12_08.zip |title=Auroville News & Notes No.251 |access-date=26 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216025529/http://auroville.org/journals%26media/newsandnotes/NewsNotes_no_251_July_12_08.zip |archive-date=16 February 2012}}</ref> The HRD ministry appoints the seven members of the Governing Board and the five members of the International Advisory Council. There is also a Secretary to the Foundation, appointed by the Government of India, who resides and has an office with supporting staff in Auroville.<ref>The Auroville Handbook 2013 page 14.</ref> The Foundation currently owns about half of the total land required for the township. The remaining lands are being purchased whenever funds are available.

===Chairmen===
* [[Karan Singh]] – former Union Minister, 1991
* Dr. M. S. Swaminathan – renowned agricultural scientist
* Dr. Kireet Joshi – former Special Educational Advisor to the Government of India

==Society and population==
[[File:General evolution of aurovilian population.png|thumb|General evolution of Aurovilian population<ref name=pop>{{cite web|title=Census - Auroville population |url=http://archive.auroville.org/society/av_population.htm |website=www.auroville.org |publisher=Auroville |access-date=25 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225172208/http://archive.auroville.org/society/av_population.htm |archive-date=25 December 2014}}</ref>]]
The township was originally intended to house 50,000 residents.<ref name="brief">[http://www.auroville.org/contents/95 Auroville in brief] Official website. Updated 30 March 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016</ref> In the initial 20 years, only about 400 individuals from 20 countries resided in the township. In the next 20 years, this number rose to 2,000 individuals from 40 countries. {{As of|2018|1}},<ref name=":0">{{cite web |author=Auroville Résidents Service |title=Breakdown by nationality – Total 2953 |url=https://www.auroville-france.org/images/pdf/Nationality%20Breakdown%20Jan%202018.pdf |access-date=7 December 2018 |website=www.auroville-france.org}}</ref> it has 2,814 residents (2,127 adults and 687 children) from 54 countries with two-thirds from India, [[France]] and [[Germany]].<ref name="pop-2">[http://www.auroville.org/contents/3329 Census – Auroville population May 2016] Official website for Auroville Retrieved 28 May 2016</ref> The community is divided up into neighborhoods with Tamil, English, French and Sanskrit names like ''Aspiration'', ''Arati'', ''La Ferme'', ''Auromodel'' and ''Isaiambalam''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.auroville.org/society/housing.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605044940/http://www.auroville.org/society/housing.htm|url-status=dead|title=List of neighbourhoods|archive-date=5 June 2008}}</ref>
[[File:Courtyard of the Tibetan Centre, Auroville 01.jpg|thumb|Courtyard of the Tibetan Centre, Auroville]]
[[File:Dalai Lama seat, Tibetan Centre in Auroville.jpg|thumb|Dalai Lama's seat, Tibetan Centre, Auroville]]

===Demographics===
The population break-down:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Nationality
!Dec 2021<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census December 2021 - Auroville population {{!}} Auroville |url=https://auroville.org/contents/3329 |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=auroville.org}}</ref>
|- 
| [[Indian passport|Indian]]  
|1513
|- 
| [[French passport|French]]   
|462
|- 
|    [[German passport|German]]	      
|260
|- 
|    [[Italian passport|Italian]]	     
|177
|- 
|    [[Dutch passport|Dutch]]    
|106
|- 
|      [[United States passport|American]]	 
|117
|- 
|      [[Russian passport|Russian]]  
|82
|- 
|           [[Spanish passport|Spanish]]	  
|65
|- 
| [[British passport|British]]   
|67
|- 
|                  [[Swiss passport|Swiss]]    
|41
|- 
|              [[Israeli passport|Israeli]]       
|50
|- 
|         [[Belgian passport|Belgian]]       
|43
|- 
|             [[South Korean passport|South Korean]]   
|52
|- 
|                [[Swedish passport|Swedish]]	 
|24
|- 
|         [[Canadian passport|Canadian]]	
|26
|- 
|        [[Ukrainian passport|Ukrainian]]	
|22
|- 
|[[Australian passport|Australian]]	
|19
|- 
|            [[Austrian passport|Austrian]] 
|12
|- 
|                    [[Japanese passport|Japanese]]  
|13
|- 
|              [[South African passport|South African]] 
|13
|- 
|                 [[Chinese passport|Chinese]] (excluding Tibetan) 
|16
|- 
|              [[Argentine passport|Argentinian]]
|9
|-
|                [[Hungarian passport|Hungarian]] 
|8
|- 
|            [[Slovenian passport|Slovenian]] 
|6
|- 
|         [[Mexican passport|Mexican]]	 
|6
|- 
|           [[Nepalese passport|Nepalese]] 
|6
|- 
|        [[Brazilian passport|Brazilian]] 
|12
|- 
|              [[Latvian passport|Latvian]]	 
|4
|- 
|                [[Belarusian passport|Belarusian]]
|4
|- 
|              [[Green Book (Tibetan document)|Tibetan]]
|3
|- 
|   [[Ethiopian passport|Ethiopian]]	        
|3
|- 
|    [[Sri Lankan passport|Sri Lankan]]	
|3
|- 
|              [[Bulgarian passport|Bulgarian]]	
|2
|- 
|     [[Moldovan passport|Moldovan]]
|1
|- 
|     [[Icelandic passport|Icelandic]]
|1
|- 
|       [[Colombian passport|Colombian]] 
|5
|- 
|            [[Rwandan passport|Rwandan]]  
|2
|-
|     [[Irish passport|Irish]]	      
|2
|- 
| [[Czech passport|Czech]]	         
|1
|-
| [[Filipino passport|Filipino]]       
|2
|- 
|      [[Danish passport|Danish]] 
|5
|-
| [[Taiwanese passport|Taiwanese]] 
|2
|- 
| [[Ecuadorian passport|Ecuadorian]] 
|1
|-
|     [[Egyptian passport|Egyptian]]      
|1
|-
| [[Algerian passport|Algerian]] 
|1
|- 
|     [[Finnish passport|Finnish]]	      
|2
|-
|   [[Iranian passport|Iranian]]
|9
|- 
|    [[Kazakh passport|Kazakh]]	      
|4
|-
|     [[Lithuanian passport|Lithuanian]]	     
|2
|-
|     [[Chilean passport|Chilean]]
|2
|-
|[[Macedonian passport|Macedonian]]
|4
|-
|[[Norwegian passport|Norwegian]]
|2
|-
|[[Portuguese passport|Portuguese]]
|2
|-
|[[Croatian passport|Croatian]]
|1
|-
|[[Indonesian passport|Indonesian]]
|1
|-
|[[Luxembourg passport|Luxembourger]]
|1
|-
|[[Polish passport|Polish]]
|1
|-
|[[Sudanese passport|Sudanese]]
|1
|-
|[[Romanian passport|Romanian]]
|1
|}

===Surrounding villages===
Auroville works closely together with the surrounding villages, where mainly Tamil people reside, via the Auroville Village Action Trust under which many different projects including the villages fall. The biggest one under the trust is the [[Auroville Village Action Group (AVAG)]], which has programs for women's empowerment, education, and financial support, and also sells its own products in the name of AVAL, Surya and Kudumbam as social enterprise work.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.auroville.org/contents/805 | title=Auroville Village Action Group (AVAG) | publisher= Auroville}}</ref> Other activities falling under the trust are the Life Education Centre, Auroville Industrial School, Mohanam cultural centre, Auroville Health Services, Deepam school for handicapped children, Thamarai community centre, Martuvam Healing forest, and the Reach for the Stars! program enabling higher education for village youth.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.auroville.org/contents/1635 | title=Auroville Village Action Trust | publisher= Auroville}}</ref> Concerns exist because of violence allegedly caused by criminal elements entering from the surrounding villages.<ref>[http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/roads/2015/07/auroville_india_s_famed_utopian_community_struggles_with_crime_and_corruption.html Trouble in Utopia]</ref>

==Economy==
Instead of paper and coin currency, residents are given account numbers to connect to their central account. Visitors are requested to get a temporary account and an Aurocard (debit card).

Residents of Auroville are expected to make a monthly contribution to the community. They are asked to help the community whenever possible by work, money, or kind. The "guest contribution", or a daily fee paid by the guests of Auroville, constitutes a part of Auroville's budget. There is a system of "maintenance",  whereby those Aurovilians in need can receive from the community monthly maintenance which covers simple basic needs of life. Auroville's economy and its overall life are of an evolving nature and there are ongoing experiments to reach closer to the vision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://business.in.com/article/work-in-progress/commerce-in-a-cocoon/3722/1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911083507/http://business.in.com/article/work-in-progress/commerce-in-a-cocoon/3722/1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 September 2009 |title=Forbes India |publisher=Business.in.com |access-date=26 January 2012}}</ref>

The Government of India only finances a small part of Auroville's budget, which is mainly formed by contributions from Auroville's commercial units which contribute 33% of their profits to Auroville's Central Fund and by donations, largely foreign, from Auroville's multiple international bases set up all over the world. There are guest houses, building construction units, information technology, small and medium scale businesses, producing and re-selling items such as handmade paper for [[stationery]] items, organic food, as well as producing its well-known [[incense]] sticks, which can be bought in Auroville's own shop in [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]]. They are also sold online in India and abroad. Each of these units contributes a considerable part of their profits to the township. Over 5,000 people, mostly from the nearby localities, are employed in various sections and units of Auroville.

Other activities include [[afforestation]], organic agriculture, basic educational research, [[health care]], village development, [[appropriate technology]], town planning, water table management, cultural activities, and community services.

==Location==
[[File:Auro 044.jpg|thumb|Auroville Main Road]]
[[File:Auro 082.jpg|thumb|Auro Beach]]

Auroville is composed of a cluster of properties some {{convert|12|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of [[Pondicherry (city)|Pondicherry]]. It can be easily reached via the [[East Coast Road]] (ECR) which connects [[Chennai]] and Pondicherry. The visitor center and [[Matrimandir]] can be reached by traveling {{convert|6|km|mi|abbr=on}} westwards from the signposted turnoff at the ECR Bommayapalayam. Turning east leads directly to Auroville's private beach called Repos, several hundred meters away.

==Climate==
It is included in the sub-humid tropics ([[wet-and-dry tropical climate]]) situated on a plateau region with its maximum elevation of {{convert|32|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level located in the Matrimandir area.
The annual rainfall average is {{convert|1200|mm|in|abbr=on}} mainly from the SW monsoon (June to Sept.) and NE monsoon (Nov to Dec) with a dry period of approx 6 months.
The average maximum temperature is {{convert|32.2|°C|°F}}, average minimum {{convert|20|°C|°F}}.

==Communications and media==
The Auroville website provides open as well as restricted forums for various projects, interests, organizations, and outreach which make up the life of the community.<ref>Auroville [http://www.auroville.org/journals&media/journals.htm Journals & newsletters] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060830023315/http://www.auroville.org/journals%26media/journals.htm |date=30 August 2006}}</ref> The opinions expressed in these publications are not necessarily those of the community at large. The Auroville radio website provides recordings and daily news covering local events. Auroville also has an internal 'OutreachMedia' team to regulate visits of journalists and film/video makers, which has served the community for many decades. Their aim is to ensure that all journalists and filmmakers get official, up-to-date information and representative footage from reliable sources. Owing to recent and ongoing developments within the community, this team's legitimacy and sovereignty is currently under question.  

==Films about Auroville==
At present, any filming within and about Auroville requires land permission from the Government of India.<ref>News & Notes 10 March 2012 [438]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.auroville.org/journals&media/outreachmedia.htm |title=Information for the Press and Media |work=auroville.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131130142702/http://www.auroville.org/journals%26media/outreachmedia.htm |archive-date=30 November 2013}}</ref> Many filmmakers visit Auroville, and a wide range of films are available. These include

* ''Ever Slow Green - Re-afforestation in Auroville, South India'', full length, 56 minutes, 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brainfever.in/ever-slow-green/|title=Ever Slow Green - brainfever media productions|work=brainfever.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11709428/|title=Ever Slow Green - IMDb|work=imdb.com|date=22 April 2021}}</ref>
* ''City of the Dawn'', full length, 80 minutes, 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/7703/City-of-the-Dawn|title=City of the Dawn – Watch Documentaries Online – Promote Documentary Film|work=cultureunplugged.com}}</ref>
* ''Auroville, the outline of a world'', full length, 25 minutes, 2009<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://vimeo.com/20071836|title=Auroville, the outline of a world (India, Documentary)|work=Vimeo}}</ref>
* ''Auroville – A Dream of the Divine'' (part 1 and 2), full length, 20 minutes in two parts, 2003<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GX9iBZGvjlI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/GX9iBZGvjlI |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=AUROVILLE – A Dream of the Divine (part 1of2)|date=24 July 2009|work=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOfT25ri7rU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/aOfT25ri7rU |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=AUROVILLE – A Dream of the Divine (part 2of2)|date=24 July 2009|work=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* ''Spiritual journey... Auroville'' (Духовное путешествие... Ауровиль), six 25-minute videos on Auroville by Russian filmmakers, 2013<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://vimeo.com/vashuk/videos|title=Jenya & Anya Vashuk's Videos|work=vimeo.com}}</ref>
* ''The India Trip'' full length, 49 minutes, from the [[National Film Board of Canada]], 1971<ref>{{cite web | title = The India Trip | url = https://www.nfb.ca/film/india_trip | year = 1971 | publisher = [[National Film Board of Canada]] | author = Bill Davies | access-date = 22 March 2015 | type = Documentary}} (49 min 30 s)</ref>
* Auroville topics can also be heard on Auroville Radio,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aurovilleradio.org/news/news-from-auroville/|title=News from Auroville|publisher=Auroville Radio|access-date=13 August 2017}}</ref> and the films about Auroville screened at the biennial Auroville Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aurovillefilmfestival.org/films-2013-about-av/|title=films 2013 – about AV|work=aurovillefilmfestival.org|access-date=2 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203033556/http://aurovillefilmfestival.org/films-2013-about-av/|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==50th anniversary==
By occasion of the 50th anniversary of Auroville on 28 February 2018 the Indian President [[Ram Nath Kovind]] sent a message to the community in which he called Sri Aurobindo "one of modern India's greatest sages". He also wrote that Auroville "represents humanity's aspiration for peace and goodwill" and that it is "a unique symbol of human unity."<ref>[http://www.outreachmedia.auroville.org New Delhi, January 23, 2018]. Outreachmedia.auroville.org. Retrieved on 25 December 2018.</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=September 2021}}

Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] visited the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville on 25 February 2018. After a meditation in the Matrimandir and participation in some functions he gave a speech in the Sri Aurobindo Auditorium.<ref>AVI News 2/2018, Auroville International Deutschland e.V., Berlin, pp. 6–9.</ref> He referred to the Auroville Charter and the basic principles of life in the community. Then he said, "Indian society is fundamentally diverse. It has fostered dialogue and a philosophic tradition. Auroville showcases this ancient Indian tradition to the world by bringing together global diversity." At the end of his speech, he expressed his wish that Auroville may continue developing and supporting new and creative ideas for India and the whole world.<ref>''Mother India'', Pondicherry, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, June 2018, pp. 57–58. For the quotation, see p. 57</ref>

==European media coverage of Auroville==
By occasion of the 50th anniversary, [[Deutschlandfunk]] (DLF), a national public service radio broadcaster, sent a staff member to Auroville for reporting on progress in the experimental city. Moreover, there were also reports by the German Christian journal [[Chrismon (magazine)|Chrismon]], the [[Schweizer Radio and Fernsehen]] (SRF), the British [[The Guardian|Guardian]] and the French ''[[Le Monde]]''.

===Deutschlandfunk===
DLF had already reported earlier about the project. In a broadcast dated 18 September 2016 Sonja Ernst gave an introduction to the subject, mentioning that nation, gender, religion or money should not play any role in this place and that it should belong to humanity. Visiting the Solar Kitchen at lunch hour, Ernst describes the scene there as looking like "a huge multi-generation-project". As for money, she mentions that Aurovilians receive a kind of basic income, but that many of them feel it is insufficient and therefore earn some more money through various jobs.<ref>[https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/auroville-gesellschaftsutopie-im-sueden-indiens.1242.de.html?dram:article_id=366190 DLF on Auroville September 2016]. Deutschlandfunk.de (18 September 2016). Retrieved on 25 December 2018.</ref>

Gerhard Richter followed up with his report on 28 February 2018 in a broadcast of DLF Kultur. Richter comments that Auroville with its population of 3500 is no more a village now, but rather a small city. Richter also reports about the functioning of Auroville and notes that as in the research and development department of a company Aurovilians test what might be helpful for a future humanity, and mentions significant contributions in the field of afforestation, alternative energies, healing, education, ecological farming and construction technology.<ref>[https://www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/50-jahre-auroville-in-indien-eine-stadt-ohne-besitz-geld.2165.de.html?dram:article_id=411786 DLF on Auroville February 2018]. Deutschlandfunkkultur.de. Retrieved on 25 December 2018.</ref>

===Chrismon===
Chrismon has published its article on 21 February 2018. The author, Jörg Heuer, offers a report on life in the small city with the help of three members of a family, who represent three generations. He accompanies a teenager with German roots and describes her lifestyle with smartphones and social media etc. and mentions that, like many other youngsters, after completing her education she would like to go out and discover the rest of the world.

Heuer also gives a comprehensive overview of numerous kinds of sports practiced in Auroville including tennis, football, basketball, and volleyball, as well as cultural activities with theatre, music and yoga groups. He writes that internationally recognized school-leaving qualifications may be acquired and that 5000 jobs have been created for the inhabitants of the surrounding villages. After a brief stay in the community, Heuer concludes "that there is hardly a place on earth which would be better suited for finding yourself."
<ref>{{in lang|de}} [https://chrismon.evangelisch.de/artikel/2018/37961/auroville-indisches-utopia-wird-50 Chrismon on Auroville February 2018]. Chrismon.evangelisch.de. Retrieved on 25 December 2018.</ref><ref>{{in lang|de}} [https://chrismon.evangelisch.de/video/video-das-leben-auroville-37950 Chrismon Video on Auroville February 2018]. Chrismon.evangelisch.de. Retrieved on 25 December 2018.</ref>

===Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen===
The report by Christina Caprez, dated 25 February 2018, focusses on various aspects of the project. She notes that Auroville should not be envisaged as a kind of [[Communism|communist]] paradise. "Although money and status should not play any role, there are obvious differences in the standard of living." Thus, wealthy newcomers who are accepted as members may finance large houses that belong to the community but can be used by them lifelong. She also mentions that all farms and companies are required to offer one-third of their net income to the community, but that some of them refuse to do so and that no sanctions are possible. Nevertheless, she writes Auroville "remains a magnet for aspirants from all over the world."

Caprez states that the attraction of the place is based on a loose kind of synthesis: "The ideas of a man from the East and a woman from the West are united here, Protestant diligence combined with Hindu community spirit." The journalist says that with this concept Auroville may be successful for another 50 years.<ref>[https://www.srf.ch/kultur/gesellschaft-religion/wochenende-gesellschaft/vision-von-1968-auroville-wohnen-fuer-eine-bessere-welt SRF on Auroville February 2018]. Srf.ch. Retrieved on 25 December 2018.</ref>

===The Guardian===
Ian Jack, writing Online for the Guardian on 5 May 2018, refers to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and calls the meeting of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother "a historic moment that produced a famous partnership and, in their case, a brand of spiritual thought that has attracted followers ever since." The author visits Auroville and notes that "plastic waste is now a ubiquitous feature of the Indian landscape". He writes that this can also be observed along the lanes "that lead to the Mother's most extraordinary creation, the 'international-universal' settlement of Auroville." He reports about the cycle paths, solar kitchens, reforestation schemes, windmills, and the Matrimandir. Finally, sitting in one of Auroville's cafes, he notes that "not a scrap of plastic could be seen."<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/05/utopia-india-auroville-spiritual-community-plastic The Guardian on Auroville May 2018]. Theguardian.com. Retrieved on 25 December 2018.</ref>

===Le Monde===
The French newspaper ''Le Monde'' has reported several times about Auroville since 1972.<ref>[https://www.lemonde.fr/recherche/?keywords=auroville&page_num=1&operator=and&exclude_keywords=&qt=recherche_texte_titre&author=&period=since_1944&start_day=01&start_month=01&start_year=1944&end_day=05&end_month=08&end_year=2018&sort=desc ''Le Monde'' articles on Auroville]. Lemonde.fr. Retrieved on 25 December 2018.</ref> In the current article, dated 2 March 2018, the Delhi correspondent Julien Bouissou gives a brief summary of the history and current status of the place. He notes that Aurovilians have not celebrated the birthday with a large bonfire, parade or dance and music, but preferred to assemble around a "Prayer for the Waters of the Earth" or an exposition on divine flowers. The French journalist continues to describe Auroville as a place that attracts travelers in search of spirituality as well as backpackers.

Bouissou refers to the Mother and her ideal of a humanity released from the grip of materialism, and points out that while at an early stage many newcomers came to stay in the city for the rest of their lives, the current trend is that "volunteers" spend some months or years there and then return home. He reports about Aurovilians doing their shopping in a cooperative supermarket without making any payment, and writes that at a time when people all over the world dream of a Smart City, Auroville focusses on sustainable development through various environmental projects.<ref>[https://www.lemonde.fr/m-actu/article/2018/03/02/a-auroville-cinquante-ans-d-utopie-ou-presque_5264837_4497186.html?xtmc=auroville&xtcr=1 ''Le Monde'' on Auroville February 2018]. Lemonde.fr. Retrieved on 25 December 2018.</ref>

==BBC child abuse investigation==
In May 2008, the [[BBC]] produced a 10-minute ''[[Newsnight]]'' film about Auroville, which was aired on [[BBC Two]].<ref>BBC Two (22 May 2008). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/7413982.stm Indian town's sex abuse claims]. Retrieved on: 21 June 2008.</ref> A short version was aired on [[BBC Radio 4|Radio 4]]'s "[[From Our Own Correspondent]]". It also appeared on BBC Online.<ref>BBC News (24 May 2008). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7417864.stm Local concerns over Indian utopia]. Retrieved on: 21 June 2008.</ref> The reports contrasted the idealism of its founders with allegations by some people that the community tolerates [[Pedophilia|pedophiles]], especially in a school that Auroville has established for local village children. Auroville filed an official complaint to the BBC that the report was biased, untrue and contravened BBC editorial ethical guidelines. After investigations, although a few inaccuracies were identified, [[Ofcom]] did not uphold the complaint.<ref>[http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/enforcement/broadcast-bulletins/obb157/Issue157.pdf Ofcom Broadcast Bulletin 157 – to be published 10 May 2010, revision 1 _clean_.doc]. stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk.</ref>

In order to protect children in the Auroville area from child abuse, the city instituted an Auroville Child Protection Service which has been in action ever since.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.auroville.org/contents/97|title=Emergency Numbers and Services {{!}} Auroville|website=www.auroville.org|access-date=29 March 2019}}</ref> {{Primary source inline|date=September 2021}}

As with other [[intentional communities]], conflicts within Auroville are to be resolved internally, and "the use of law courts or referral to other outsiders is considered unacceptable and to be avoided if possible".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.auroville.org/contents/3379|title=Frequently asked questions on society {{pipe}} Auroville|website=www.auroville.org}}</ref> {{Primary source inline|date=September 2021}}

== Controversial development plans ==
On December 4th, 2021, local police, joined by a group of outsiders, began demolishing the Auroville Youth Centre – uprooting the surrounding trees with the help of [[JCBs]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-01-14|title=Auroville: the legacy of the 1960's largest utopian city|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/auroville-legacy-utopian-city/|access-date=2022-01-17|language=en-US}}</ref> Despite the protests by the residents, on December 5, more than 900 trees were bulldozed across 67 acres in Auroville. An internal petition signed by more than 500 Auroville residents requested postponement of the development work on the Crown Road ‘Right of Way’, until the Auroville community would arrive at a collective agreement on a practical way forward. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Auroville tree felling: NGT stay order extended till January 3|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/12/21/auroville-tree-felling-ngt-stay-order-extended-till-january-3.html|access-date=2022-01-17|website=The Week|language=en}}</ref> An application filed by some residents of Auroville against the ongoing illegal clearing of forests by the Auroville Foundation led the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) of India to order an interim stay on felling of trees on the 17th of December, 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|others=Special Correspondent|date=2021-12-11|title=NGT orders interim stay on felling of Auroville trees|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/ngt-orders-interim-stay-on-felling-of-auroville-trees/article37929206.ece|access-date=2022-01-17|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> This ban against tree felling inside Auroville was extended by the NGT until the next court hearing on January 3. [https://greentribunal.gov.in/gen_pdf_test.php?filepath=L25ndF9kb2N1bWVudHMvbmd0L2Nhc2Vkb2MvanVkZ2VtZW50cy9DSEVOTkFJLzIwMjItMDQtMjgvMTY1MTE1MTM3NzE2NDUzOTgyNjY2MjZhOTIxMWNhYzEwLnBkZg== The verdict was announced on April 28th, 2022], which directed the Auroville Foundation Office to prepare a proper township plan and apply for Environmental Clearance (EC) under Item 8 (b) of the [http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/content/265655/environmental-impact-assessment-notification-2006/ EIA Notification, 2006]. Till then they were directed not to proceed with further construction in the project area with the exception ofets the completion of the crown road given a Joint Committee comprising officials in forest, wildlife, and state departments inspect the area in question and the Auroville Foundation Office undertake the crown road work in the remaining stretches where there are no trees. 



However, development continues in Auroville in parts under less scrutiny with pre-existing conflicts in the name of resolution of the other conflicts. Foreign residents of Auroville, including many early settlers, are facing issues with visa extensions, and with an FIR having been filed against 6 residents, 5 of whom are foreign nationals, for obstructing allegedly illegal entry to confidential documents, Auroville's vision to manifest human unity as an experimental international community of 50,000 may be at risk.   
   
A complete timeline of events and other resources to contextualise the situation may be found at this site created by some residents - [https://www.standforaurovilleunity.com standforaurovilleunity.com].            

The [[The New York Times|New York Times]] sent a reporter in March 2022 to investigate this issue amongst others in [https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/world/asia/auroville-india.html?partner=IFTTT Auroville's current predicament], while the [[The Wall Street Journal|Wall Street Journal]] sheds light on some possibly [https://www.meer.com/en/68234-bulldozing-a-dream deeper connotations and consequences of Auroville's present day turmoil for Auroville and the BJP].


==Gallery==
<gallery widths="200" height="150px" perrow="4" align="center">
File:Matrimandir Auroville Pondicherry.jpg|alt=Matri Mandir|A close view of Auroville Matri Mandir in Pondicherry
File:Auro 049.jpg|Savitri Bhawan
File:Auro 017.jpg|Vérité Learning Centre
File:Auro 073.jpg|Bharat Niwas
File:Theatre workshop in Sadhana Forest.jpg|Theatre workshop in Sadhana Forest, 2014
File:Banyan tree in auroville.jpg|alt=Banyan Tree in Gaia, Auroville|Banyan Tree in Gaia
File:Destruction of Youth Centre, Auroville.png|Forceful destruction of Youth Centre, Auroville - Dec 2021
File:Violent scuffle at Youth Centre, Auroville in Dec 2022.png|Violent scuffle at Youth Centre, Auroville in Dec 2021
File:Auroville Child picking up the remains at Youth Centre in Dec 2021.png|Child cleans up remains at Youth Centre, Dec 2021
</gallery>

==See also==<!-- Please keep entries in alphabetical order & add a short description [[WP:SEEALSO]] -->
{{div col|small=yes|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Auroville Marathon]]
*[[Arcosanti]]
*[[Auroville Village Action Group (AVAG)]]
*[[Planned Community]]

{{div col end}}
<!-- please keep entries in alphabetical order -->

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
; English:
* Abundance Publications. ''The Auroville Handbook.''Pondicherry: All-India Press, 2007.
* ''Auroville &nbsp;–&nbsp; Development Perspectives 1993–1998 &nbsp;–&nbsp; An Invitation To Participate'', Typoscript, Autoren/Hrsg. Auroville Development Group, Bharat–Nivas, Auroville 1993, no ISBN
* K. M. Agarwala (Hrsg.): ''Auroville – The City Of Dawn'', Sri Aurobindo Center New Delhi 1996, no ISBN
* ''Auroville References in Mother's Agenda'', Auroville Press, Auroville, no Y., no ISBN
* Jerome Clayton Glenn: ''Linking the Future: [[Findhorn Foundation|Findhorn]], Auroville [[Arcosanti]]'', published by Hexiad Project/ Center on Technology and Society, Cambridge, Massachusetts 1979, no ISBN
* Anupama Kundoo: ''Roger Anger, Research on Beauty, Architecture 1953–2008'', JOVIS Verlag Berlin 2009, {{ISBN|978-3-86859-006-7}}
* Peter Richards: ''Experience!Auroville &nbsp;–&nbsp; Guide Book for Guests and Visitors'', Pondicherry 2000, no ISBN
* Savitra: ''Auroville: Sun-Word Rising &nbsp;–&nbsp; A Trust For The Earth'', published by The Community of Auroville, Auroville 1980, no ISBN
* ''The Auroville Adventure &nbsp;–&nbsp; Selections from ten years of Auroville Today'', published by Auroville Today, Auroville 1998, no ISBN
* ''The Auroville Experience &nbsp;–&nbsp; Selections from 202 issues of Auroville Today, November 1988 to November 2005'', published by Auroville Today, Auroville 2006, no ISBN
* Jessica Namakkal, [https://www.academia.edu/2476990/European_Dreams_Tamil_Land_Auroville_and_the_Paradox_of_a_Postcolonial_Utopia European Dreams, Tamil Land: Auroville and the Paradox of a Postcolonial Utopia], in ''Journal for the Study of Radicalism'', Volume 6, Number 1, Spring 2012, pp.&nbsp;59–88 (Published by Michigan State University Press)
* [[:fr:Xavier Pavie|Xavier Pavie]]« Encouraging Young People to Develop Social Entrepreneurship in a Community the Case of Auroville ». Case center, reference n°320-0123-1. ESSEC Business School 2020.
* [[:fr:Xavier Pavie|Xavier Pavie]]« Auroville, from utopia to responsible innovation: from the emergence of a utopian community to the development of entrepreneurial initiatives ». Case center, reference n°819-0026-1. ESSEC Business School 2019.

;German:
* [[Mira Alfassa]]: ''Die Mutter über Auroville'', Auropublikations (Hrsg.), Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Pondicherry 1978, no ISBN
* Renate Börger: ''Auroville &nbsp;–&nbsp; Eine Vision blüht'', Verlag Connection Medien, Niedertaufkirchen 2004, 3. veränderte Aufl., {{ISBN|3-928248-01-4}}
* Alan G. (Hrsg.): ''Auroville &nbsp;–&nbsp; Ein Traum nimmt Gestalt an'', o.O. (vermutlich Auroville/ Pondicherry) 1996, 1. dt. Aufl., no ISBN
* Michael Klostermann: ''Auroville &nbsp;–&nbsp; Stadt des Zukunftsmenschen''; Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag, Frankfurt/M., Februar 1976; {{ISBN|3-436-02254-3}}

==External links==
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{{Commons category|Auroville}}
* {{Official website|http://www.auroville.org }}
* [http://www.aurovilleradio.org Radio with daily updates] from Auroville
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170529150556/http://auronews.in/ Auroville News]
* {{cite news | title = Auroville: The Road to Utopia | url = http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/Ideas/ID/2464225447/ | date = 11 June 2014 | publisher = [[CBC Radio]] | work = Ideas | author = Ashley Walters | access-date = 14 June 2014 | type = Podcast|ref=none}} (54 min)
* [https://sworld.co.uk/01/1173/place/Auroville Auroville - Secret World]
{{Integral Yoga|state=expanded}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Auroville| ]]
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[[Category:Hinduism in Tamil Nadu]]
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[[Category:Planned cities in India]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Viluppuram district]]
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