Jammed Mind with numerous plans & reluctantly pushed myself to explore AUROVILLE. How will I keep myself occupied for 10 days was a constant threaten, finally convinced “Okay, let me come back after 4 days & plan other place later”. Emailed few of the organic farms for volunteering, packed & loaded the bag on bike and started. Reece ride to Pondicherry helped the entire bike trip.
Didn’t have a heart to return back as per the planned day, how did I turn these 9 days into a deep pensive state.
Farm Volunteering :
Buddha Garden : Initial couple of days spent volunteering with Buddha garden, involved in making seed beds, harvesting basil leaves/micro nutrients & packing them. As there were a student visit, Priya who is managing the farm provided induction to them to understand the nuances of organic farming involving drop irrigation/weeding/mulching/
Auro Orchard : Modern Organic farm , 2nd biggest farm in Auroville & majority of vegetables & fruits are sold from this farm. We (new founded company) landed on a holiday and Jasmine was gracious enough to permit us. First 2 hours we spent brushing cows/disinfecting the place which transformed us from comfortable to being loved. Oh these cows loves brushing!! Later helped jasmine on prep work of Amla candy & intense conversations about her life & how she turned out to be here. Their house in the middle of forest with less comfort as a layman is a heaven until you experience it. Jasmine also explained the way they constructed their house in a unconventional way. They have regular farmers working who also punch their timings with thumb impression
Worked there a few days and involved in Pruning/Mulching/Harvesting beans/lemons/Avocadoes. They also serve organic breakfast with fruits & vegetables from the farm. Indulged in clean & heavenly breakfast. Farming is cumbersome until you hit the land, every bit of work is time consuming with 4 volunteers spent around 4 hours to complete pruning/dragging/Mulching. Pain of farmers were instilling in my cellular system, a reminder to be grateful for every single grain
Work Timings : 7 to 11
Work Timings : 7 to 11
In case you plan for volunteering, farming will consume the first part of the day & rest of the activities & places can be planned for remaining part of day
Running/Cycling/walking : Auroville has good trail for running/cycling & can cover completely, cycles can be hired with home stays & only things need to be careful are snakes who might also cross your lanes during dark, only threat in auroville ☹
Movies
Townhall plays movies of different genre for free, play list is published online & attempted attempt a Spanish movie about gleaning. Ensure to be on time to get a slot for yourself without tickets.
Savitri Bhavan
Explore the clean, naturally lighted architecture which has paintings for every verse from the book Savitri. Creative paintings will set up eyes glued on the wall which was painted during 1970’s by an Indian.
Sadhana Forest : Man made Forest, 15- 20 by van from solar kitchen and with a brief introduction on how to use the rest rooms & wash the hands, orientation is provided in the hut (conference room) with videos on how/why the forest was built & whats the impact its bringing to the environment, like Pondicherry they had also established a forest in Kenya. A tour is provided by the representative to the Kitchen, man made ponds, different types of trees & their uses, how much water is consumed by trees, ecological consumption, how watering has been done with minimal water, electricity savings, kids play area for under developed & pet zone.
This place definitely blows your mind & build in the guilty feeling how we are exploiting the environment with our life style. Finally a movie is shown & dinner is served, with such less facility they had cooked idly, sambar, veggies & ice cream for 100 people.
on every Friday at 4 PM van will be available at Solar Kitchen for pick up & drop at the same place by 8.30 PM
Matri Mandir
Auroville is incomplete without experiencing Matri Mandir, if in case you are staying there for a while, get a pass from the information centre mostly you will get your slot after a day or 2. On the allotted day, a video will be shown to understand Auroville & Matri Mandir, post 10 minutes travel by van to Matri mandir, we are expected to hand over the mobile/Bags. A detailed session is provided with facts on Auroville & what are we supposed to do when we enter Matri Mandir.
Matri mandir is the centre of Auroville, post the orientation visitors are moved to Banyan Tree which is 100 years old withholding 20+ strong roots. After 10 minutes, you will be entering the marble lotus ponds where you can sit and meditate for a while hearing the water gurgling. After the bell rings, visitors will be allowed inside the Golden globe climbing few stairs, allotted 15 minutes for meditation.
Once a visitor completed the orientation visit, they will be allowed to direct visit of Pita mediation & they can choose any Pita by coming to near centre between 8.30 – 10.30. During the pita visit, one can walk around the garden, around the globe & sit near banyan tree for a while. Second visit will be peaceful experience definitely.
Holiday : Tuesday
Botanical Garden : A good walk around the different genre & species of plants/cactus could be found with a windmill. Plant lovers could spend much time around exploring the area.
Tanto Beach
Less crowded & peaceful beach just near the entrance of Auroville.
Food Link : Fresh organic vegetables & fruits are available for sale on Tuesday and Thursday in the morning hours, could you also witness the harvest at the farm
Certitude : Play ground sufficient to play badminton/tennis/Cricket & kids play area
Foodgasm
Tanto/Brother’s Pizza : Italian pizza & Pasta
Maiyam : Clean traditional food served in clay plates, must try coconut coffee, Desserts & their plate meal
Akka kadai : Dosai at this small road side shop near visitor centre
Auroviille Bakery
Gelato Ice cream
Dharma Swasthi : Vegan food, expensive though
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