Guides
Around Auroville, and how to get here.
The same guides published on artlecafe.com.
Accommodation
Ground floor, The Elements: doubles, quadruples and a twin, several with bathtubs. A couple of rooms open directly outside.
First floor, The Kingdoms: Agartha, Arcadia, Atlantis, Brahmapura, Shambhala, El Dorado, Utopia and Shangri-La. Shambhala is a 10-bed dormitory for groups only. El Dorado and Shangri-La share a lounge with a small kitchen space.
Second floor, The Gods: Zeus, Aphrodite, Ganesha, Osiris, Hera, Dhruv, Kubera, Lakshmi and Aditya. Several have two balconies. Zeus has its own small kitchen.
Things to do in Auroville
Auroville was founded in 1968 as a universal township, envisioned by Mirra Alfassa (The Mother) and designed with the architect Roger Anger. At its centre is the Matrimandir, a golden geodesic dome for meditation, surrounded by the Peace Area gardens.
Most visitors start at the Visitor Centre, about 500 metres from Art Le Cafe. Entry inside the Matrimandir is limited and usually needs a pass booked ahead. People get around by bicycle or scooter on red-earth and paved paths.
Worth a day: the viewing point and Peace Area, cycling, Auroville Beach about 7 km away, community units for crafts and organic food, the on-site cafe, and a trip to Pondicherry.
Pondicherry
Puducherry is a short trip south, with a French colonial flavour. The coast road connects the two, so many guests stop at the beach on the way.
White Town: mustard-and-white buildings, quiet lanes, cafes. Rock Beach is the seafront walk, closed to traffic in the evening. The Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a short walk from White Town. The Tamil Quarter, just west, has markets and temples.
How to reach us
15, Auroville Main Road, Edayanchavadi, Auroville, Tamil Nadu 605101. A short walk from the Visitor Centre.
From Chennai: taxi or bus down the East Coast Road, about 150 km and 3.5 to 4 hours. From the airport, a pre-booked taxi is simplest, or a bus to Puducherry and a local auto.
From Puducherry: about 30 to 40 minutes. Autos and taxis run regularly. Tell the driver “15, Auroville Road, Edayanchavadi”, or message us if you want a pickup arranged.