Effective from March 1, 2008.

Access to the Matrimandir Viewing Point

The Matrimandir Viewing Point is a garden located at the southern border of the Park of Unity. This Park includes the Matrimandir, the Matrimandir gardens, the Amphitheatre and the Banyan Tree.

All first-time visitors are requested to watch a short introductory video on the Matrimandir at the Visitors' Centre and thereafter visit the Viewing Point, before seeking access to the Matrimandir.

•  Passes for the Viewing Point can be obtained from Auroville's Visitors Centre.

•  A shaded footpath leads from the Visitors' Centre to the Viewing Point. An electric shuttle service is available for those who are physically challenged.

•  Timing for issue of Passes at the Visitors' Centre:

Weekdays : 9.30 am to 12.30 pm & 1.45pm to 4.00pm

Sundays: 9.30 am to 12.30 pm ONLY

•  Visiting hours at the Viewing Point:

Weekdays: 10 am to 1 pm & 2 pm to 4.30 pm

Sundays: 10 am to 1 pm ONLY

Access to the Park of Unity: Matrimandir and other areas

The Park of Unity is accessible ONLY to those who have visited to the Matrimandir Viewing Point.

First time visitors

Matrimandir provides a guided introduction for first-time visitors. During this visit an explanation will be given of the significance and meaning of the Matrimandir. The visit's duration is approximately 90 minutes. Advance booking is required. [See below]

The introduction will take place in a shaded area adjacent to or inside the Park of Unity. Visitors will then be guided to the Banyan Tree before going up to the Inner Chamber inside the Matrimandir. The concentration in the Inner Chamber will be for 10-15 minutes

The presence of all who have booked their visit is required at the Matrimandir Office Gate by 9.15 am, and no later than 9.30 am.

Regular visitors

The following conditions apply to regular visitors who have already participated in a guided introduction.

Visiting the Park of Unity

•  Timing: 9.30 – 11.00 am. Last entry 10.30 am.

•  Advance booking required – except for regular donors, other regular visitors and holders of a valid Auroville Guest Pass who have already participated in a guided tour introduction and have obtained a Matrimandir pass valid for a limited period of time.

Concentration in one of the Petal Rooms

•  Timing: 9.30 – 11.00 am. Last entry 10.30 am.

•  The 12 rooms are not all open at the same time, but in turn – usually two at a time.

•  Passes are issued for one room at a time.

•  Advance booking is not required.

Concentration in the Inner Chamber

 But then, people will not come for “regular meditations” or anything of the kind... it will be a place for concentration. Not everyone will be allowed in... Only for those who are... serious – serious, sincere, who truly want to learn to concentrate. ...people will be let in in order to concentrate – to learn to concentrate! No fixed meditations, nothing of the sort, but they will have to stay there in silence – silence and concentration.

The Mother

•  Timings: 9 am to 10.00 am

•  Last entry in the Chamber: 9.30 pm.

•  Advance booking required.

•  Children below 8 years are not granted access.

Pass bookings

•  Requests for passes can be made any day from 9.00 to 11.00 am by phone (0413) 2622268 or (0413) 2622204, or by visiting the Matrimandir Access Office personally.

•  Requests are attended to in the order of receiving them and can be made up to 7 days in advance.

•  Bookings are made on an individual basis only. Minimum age requirement is 8 years.

•  Matrimandir reserves the right of admission.

•  Passes which have been booked in advance are to be collected on the day of appointment from the Matrimandir Access Office before entering the Park of Unity.

•  Each pass specifies the area to be visited, the date and the time.

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