On the city

Q. What is the population of Auroville? Is there a limit to the expected population?

A. The present population is just over 2,200 people from 45 countries as of 2009. The eventual population is expected to be 50,000. It is unlikely that this number will be exceeded, partly because there is insufficient land for a larger township, but also because Auroville has no aspiration to become larger.

Q. Why is Auroville in India? Why not in Europe or elsewhere?

A. The inspiration for Auroville arose in India, stemming from the writings of Sri Aurobindo and the encouragement of the Mother. This inspiration lead to the Sri Aurobindo Society, based in Pondicherry, persuading the Government of India in 1966 to accept and support the project, which was then put before UNESCO for its endorsement.

Q. When will the Matrimandir be finished?

A. The Matrimandir structure was completed in 2008, while the surrounding gardens may take some 5 more years to complete. As the planned water body directly around structure & gardens may become part of an elaborate, integrated energy & water management set-up, construction of this lake and other components of the plan will stretch over the coming decade. 

Q. What is the amphitheatre; what is it used for?

A. The Amphitheatre is used for quiet gatherings where the Aurovilians come together for special occasions.

Q. When will Auroville be completed?

A. No date has been set. At the present rate of growth it's unlikely that the physical township plus the lands needed plus the 50,000 projected population will be in place in less than 50 years. Meanwhile, what is more important than dates and numbers to Auroville is the quality of everything, specially the quality and consciousness of its participants.

Q. Do you have a public transport system?

A. Yes, of a very limited nature. Auroville has a number of buses, vans and jeeps which meet essential community needs, such as transporting children to school, carrying goods around the community, taking people to Pondicherry, etc. What is only at its early steps, however, is a fully developed collective transport system which can carry people around the community throughout the day and evening. The complete system has yet to be planned, funded and developed.

Q. Where does your water come from?

A. Almost entirely from aquifers below ground.
There are essentially three levels from which water is drawn up using electrical, diesel, solar or wind energy as appropriate. The first aquifer is at approx 40 metres, the second at approx 60-100 metres, and the third at approx 150-250 metres.
A small amount of water is also recycled via purification plants, but can only be used for gardens and agricultural purposes.