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About 10–12 km north of Pondicherry

Auroville, the Universal Township beside Pondicherry

Auroville is an experimental international township about 10–12 km north of Pondicherry, founded in 1968 by The Mother on the vision of Sri Aurobindo. It is a living community, not a tourist attraction, and most visitors only see the visitor centre and the Matrimandir viewpoint unless they go with an Aurovilian.

More than a viewpoint

Auroville was created as a place for “human unity”: people from dozens of countries living and working together on reclaimed land. In half a century, residents have regenerated barren plateau into tropical dry evergreen forest, and built schools, farms, workshops and renewable energy projects.

What our Auroville experience covers

Our Special Auroville Experience is curated with an Aurovilian who takes you inside the community for meaningful, interactive visits. This is very different from the standard route, where visitors usually stay at the visitor centre. Depending on the day, this can include:

  • Community and settlement visits with residents
  • Sustainable farms, forests and alternative technology units
  • Lunch at a community kitchen

Good to know

Auroville is spread over a wide area of forest roads, so a vehicle or bicycle is essential. Taxi supplements are quoted separately for half and full days. Dress modestly and remember that Auroville is a home as well as a project.

Things to do in Auroville with us

Auroville: your questions answered

Can I go inside Auroville without a guide?

Visitors can freely access the Visitors Centre and the Matrimandir viewing point. Visits to working communities, farms and units are best arranged through an Aurovilian, which is what our Special Auroville Experience does.

How far is Auroville from Pondicherry?

About 10–12 km north of Pondicherry town, roughly 20–30 minutes by car or taxi depending on where you start.

Is lunch included in the Auroville experience?

The experience includes the chance to have lunch at a community kitchen of Auroville. Ask us for current meal arrangements when you enquire.

More places to explore

Plan your trip

Tell us your dates. We’ll shape the days.

Share when you’re arriving and what you love, whether that’s heritage, food, the sea or crafts. Venkat will put together a day-by-day plan with clear per-person prices.

Pondicherry Beach Escapes 2026–2027 brochure cover: a painted horse statue on Pondicherry beach at sunrise

Get in touch

Download our brochure

2026–2027 experiences, routes & prices

Your brochure (PDF) downloads as soon as you submit.

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