Auroville botanical garden was established in 2000 with the aim of restoring the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest in South India and it spread around 50 acres of land. Initially it was a barren land with cashew trees and now it has been transformed into a luxuriant landscape. It has 310 tree species and around 5,500 specimens were planted in the garden.
Auroville botanical garden is located inside the auroville community, which is 12 kms from the Pondicherry white town. It has a formal garden where you can see ornamental plants garden and some specialist garden. Near the entrance you can see the Orchid garden, during the blooming season it will be a treat to your eyes for sure. Ferns garden has some interesting collection of ferns inside the green house. Cactus garden has some of the rare varieties which are imported from all over the world are displayed here. There are also gardens for medicinal plants, butterfly garden, aquatic plants garden and adenium garden. Thematic garden is also in progress where Bonsai garden is coming up shortly.
Interesting attraction in the auroville botanical garden is the maze garden. I have never seen a beautiful maze garden anywhere else. The maze garden is the main highlight for kids and youngsters. 2 metre high evergreen hedges those are grown from the indigenous plants, which are spread on both the sides of the paths. Reaching the center and getting out of the maze is a real fun.
Garden also has a big nursery that covers approximately in 1 acre and they produce 50000 plants saplings every year. Plants are up for sale, so you can grab your favorite plants from the nursery.
Best Season: July to March, April to June will be hot.
Time: 9.30Am to 5.30Pm
Entrance: Free (Open on all days except on SUNDAY)
