Effective from March 1, 2008.
1) Matrimandir Viewing Point
The Matrimandir Viewing Point is a garden located at the southern border of the Park of Unity. This is the place where first-time visitors can come to see the Matrimandir, the Amphitheatre and the Banyan Tree. First-time visitors need a pass, to be obtained from the Visitors' Centre.
Aurovilians and Newcomers have free access to the Matrimandir Viewing Point at all times.
Aurovilians and Newcomers can also freely bring their relatives or friends to the Viewing Point, on condition that they stay with their relatives of friends during the time of the visit. Contrary to other visitors, relatives and friends do not require a pass.
2) Park of Unity.
The Park of Unity is the name of the area inside the Matrimandir oval. Here you find the Matrimandir and its gardens, the Banyan Tree, and the Amphitheatre.
Aurovilians and Newcomers have free access to the Park of Unity at any time between 6 am and 8 pm. Newcomers may have to present their Newcomer card on request.
Aurovilians and Newcomers may bring two relatives or close friends along with them, provided they stay with them during the visit. It is highly recommended that Aurovilians and Newcomers make an advance booking for first-time visitors for the introduction to the Matrimandir.
Please do not bring your relatives or guests during the time reserved for visitors (from 9.00 am to 10.00 am) to avoid confusion. If there is no other option, a prior booking is required to bring relatives and friends during this time.
3) Inner Chamber
The Inner Chamber is open for Aurovilians and Newcomers ONLY from 6am to 8am, 12.30 to 2pm and 4.30pm to 8pm on week days;
from 6am to 2pm , 6pm to 8pm on Sundays.
From 9am to 10am (visitors time), a prior booking is required as the space is limited.
From 4.30 to 5.30pm every day, individual Aurovilians and Newcomers may bring 2 very close friends or family members provided they remain with them all the time.
4) Petal chambers
For the time being the petal chambers will only be opened during the visitors' time. For that reason Aurovilians and Newcomers have to follow the same rules as the visitors: advance booking is required and passes (valid for one room only) need to be collected from the Access Office at Matrimandir, as there is a limited number of places in each room.
5) General conditions for access
A very special atmosphere of silence and concentration in the Matrimandir and the Park of Unity must be maintained. For this the collaboration of all is essential.
• Bringing friends or relatives for “showing off” is not in the right spirit and is not acceptable.
• The Park of Unity is not a place for jogging, cycling or walking dogs.
• Parents or school teachers who wish to bring a group of children are requested to contact the Access Group which will organize their visit on special timing.
• Parents wishing to come inside the Matrimandir with their young child should make sure that the child will be able to remain quiet. However, it is recommended to everyone not to bring children below the age of 8 years into the Inner Chamber and Petal meditation rooms.
• Passes may be issued - on exceptional basis and for a limited period of time - to non-Aurovilians to access the Inner Chamber during Aurovilians' timing. Those concerned are very close friends of Auroville who come regularly for concentration.
• Aurovilians organizing workshops or tours for guests should not include a visit of the Matrimandir in their programme. This must be a matter for individual choice and approach.
General conditions
• The Park of Unity is a quiet zone and absolute silence is required inside the Matrimandir and the Petal Rooms, under the Banyan Tree and around the Lotus Pond below the Matrimandir
• The entrance for all visitors to the Park of Unity : Matrimandir and other areas is at the Matrimandir Office Gate.
• Vehicles are to be parked at Visitors Centre or outside the Matrimandir Office Gate. Visitors parking at Visitors Centre will be ferried by electric shuttle to the Matrimandir. We encourage all visitors to avail of this non polluting, silent mode of transport.
• Bags, cell phones and cameras are to be deposited with the attendant at the Access Office.
• Cell phones are to be switched off.
• Visitors are requested not to bring any valuables with them.
• Photographs can be taken only from outside the Park of Unity.
• Cleanliness of body and garments is indispensable.
• Smoking is prohibited
• Children under 8 are not allowed inside the Matrimandir.
• In case of rain or any exceptional circumstances the Matrimandir will remain closed and all appointments will be cancelled for the day.
• Matrimandir reserves the right to refuse entry or cancel a visit and request a person to leave the Park of Unity on account of bringing a person under age; making unauthorised audio, video or photographic recordings; or exhibiting a behaviour which is not in accordance with these guidelines.
All timings and procedures are subject to change without notice.
For information call :
Matrimandir Information room (0413) 262-3449
E-mail: mmaccess@auroville.org.in
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