
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 over 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.
On arriving you are kindly requested:
- to fill an ARRIVAL FORM from the Indian Authorities within 24 hours after your arrival. This is a legal requirement and required at each change of accommodation (even within Auroville)
- to obtain a GUEST CARD valid for the period of your stay (regardless of its length) at your Guest House or Guest Service or Financial Service (Town Hall and Pour Tous / Aspiration): you need to take your passport and some money.
- The Financial Service encashes foreign courrencies and traveller's cheques and at the Town Hall can also accept your credit card. The Guest Service can accept only Indian Rupees.
Opening an account with Financial Service
If your stay is longer than a week we advise you to open an account which is free of charge; this can be done:
- in one of the 2 Financial Service offices
- in the Guest Service office
A security deposit of Rs. 1,000- is requested as well as money to run your account. The deposit will be refunded when your account is closed. The account number will be noted on your guest card. Within Auroville you needn't carry cash as you may use your account like a credit card: you deposit money that will cover your bills using the various facilities such as Por Tous stall, Solar Kitchen, Cafeterias and snack bars, bakeries, health center, internet, classes, etc.
Closing of accounts can only be done at Financial Service either on the day of departure or one day before, at TownHall or PourTous/Aspiration.
Opening hours of Financial Services are from 9am to 12.30pm and from 3pm to 4.30pm, Monday to Saturday.
Guest Service is located in Solar Kitchen 1st floor and open 9.30am to 1pm Monday to Friday.
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 100 per day per adult, reduced to Rs 50 per day for students and teenagers up to the age of 18.
There is no charge for children below the age of 12.
This contribution goes towards financing and maintatining Auroville infrastructure and services, and if you stay at a registered Auroville Guest House it is included in your contribution for your accommodation. (Please note that each Aurovilian also contributes monthly for the same purpose)
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.
Your Guest Card will identify you as a guest of Auroville
and alloow you to use our facilities and services, Repos Beach, attend various cultural events (cinema, theatre, concerts, etc.), visit Matrimandir at special hours. etc.
General cost
- A meal at the Solar Kitchen costs Rs 70, Guest Card is required
- A good meal in Puducherry 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 Pudu (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
contact: avguests@auroville.org.in
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
avintroduction@auroville.org.in
Savitri
Bhavan - Out of a study circle the dream of Savitri Bhavan was
born - to have a place where all kinds of materials and activities for
study, research and concentration on Sri Aurobindo's revelatory epic
could be gathered and made available in lectures and workshops.
Pitanga Hall
(Samasti): exhibitions, and a variety of classes
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
Red Earth Riding School: RERS is located on the Tindivanam-Puducherry road, next to the Auroville Police Station. RERS has 20 horses/ponies. From guided horses/ponies walkouts to competitive show jumping and dressage, internationally qualified teachers will coach you. For appointments, information, please contact Djenane at 94434 59048.
For people interested in horses as a help for children with unique needs, please go on Persian Sky link or call Marianne at 9443 085038
.
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 study@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).
-
To know the approximate rate of exchange of currency please visit: Universal Currency Converter
-
Financial Service can also sell foreign currencies at your departure, please observe the following procedure by the Reserve Bank of India:
a) Foreign Exchange Certificates are valid 3 months only! That means the amount of Rupees converted into foreign currency can only be up to the amount exchanged within the last 3 months of your stay.
b) A copy of your passport as well as the flight ticket together with the foreign exchange certificate are needed for the sale of foreign currencies.
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