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Matri Mandir in Auroville is the centre of Auroville universal town, located around 11 km from White town, Pondicherry. Auroville community is built around the Matri mandir. The Matri Mandir idea was created and implemented by the Mother (Mirra Alfassa), and the meaning of Matri Mandir is “Temple of the Mother”.
Matri Mandir, is the Auroville city‘s soul and is located in the centre of the vast open space called Peace. An essential aspect of the Matri Mandir is it doesn’t belong to any particular religion or section; whatever you feel is a god or the spirit. Matri Mandir took 37 years to build, from the day the foundation stone was laid till completion.
Visitors Center:
The visitors’ centre is the entry point to the Matri Mandir. They have a vast paid parking space for four-wheelers and two-wheelers. Parking charges for Motor Cycle – Rs.20, Auro Rickshaw – Rs.30, Car – Rs.100, Van- Rs.150 and Bus – Rs.200.
Once you park the vehicle, you must walk towards the visitor’s centre, which is around 200 meters from the parking area.
Auroville Visitors centre was established in 1991, and is considered the Auroville reception and information centre for tourists worldwide. Auroville is known for its sustainable buildings and architecture. Auroville Visitors centre buildings were designed with local materials aided with natural lighting and renewal energy. They have reduced the use of concrete and steel with compressed structures using compressed stabilized earth blocks.
The left side of the Auroville Visitors centre has a multi-cuisine cafeteria and boutiques selling products from all over, like handicrafts, clothes, chocolates, honey, wooden utensils, books etc. They are expensive but exclusively made in Auroville, where you can see the quality of the product.
The right side of the Auroville Visitors centre has the exhibition hall, information desk, and auditorium where they highlight the practices of Auroville. They will be showing the video of the Matri Mandir on how it started till its completion in the hall. Just outside the theatre, you can see the cross-section of the Matri Mandir replica to get an idea of the architectural marvel.
Matri Mandir Viewing Point:
A free pass is provided at the visitors centre for visiting the garden and the matri mandir viewing point.
Timings for Matri Mandir pass:
Monday to Saturday: 9.00 Am to 4.30 Pm
Sunday: 9.00 Am to 1.00 Pm
To reach the Matri Mandir viewing point, you need to walk around 1 km on a shady path. It will be a 15 min walk to reach vintage point. Restrooms and seating facilities are available near the vintage point.
Architecture of Matri Mandir:
The mother created this sacred structure of Matri Mandir. She was particular about the measurements, dimensions and shape of the Matri mandir. What we see now is just the shadow of her original plan.
Visit to Matri Mandir Inner Chamber:
You can visit Matri Mandir Inner Chamber by booking on an individual basis. The visitor’s centre will provide information regarding Matri Mandir Inner chamber visit. The inner chamber is open on all days except Tuesday and Sunday.
Pass to the inner chamber has to be booked three days in advance. You have to report for the inner chamber visit at 8.30 am. Auroville is requested to secure the pass only if you can make it by that time.
Note: Group bookings are not allowed since the mother’s guidelines clearly mention individual concentration. Children less than ten years old are not allowed.
What is inside the Inner Chamber of Matri Mandir:
You will be asked to keep quiet since you will be in the meditation centre of the matri mandir. The inner chamber of Matri mandir has a platform on the top half of the matrimandir, where you have to take steps to reach here. All the chambers, including the walls, carpet, and steps, are deep white, giving a sense of peacefulness. At the centre of the chamber lies the crystal clear glass globe, where the light from the top is directed electronically to the globe. Light falls on the globe and emits the sun’s rays all over the chamber.
Return to Visitors centre:
A free shuttle service is available to return to the visitor’s centre. If you have more time to explore, you can visit places like Unity Pavilion, Savithri Bhavan, Tibetan Pavilion, and Bharat Nivas when you take a diversion from the International Zone. Securities will guide you to those places at Auroville.
Hotels Near Matri Mandir:
