Auroville wants to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity."
Cycling on the narrow, dusty road with dry leaves strewn haphazardly like colour strokes on a white canvas, one can feel the cool breeze blowing, transporting you to another world.
With trees forming a green tunnel, the mud road to Auroville is like a secret tunnel, revealing nothing what lies ahead. As you go down the mysterious way, the jungle thickens and you find yourself amidst a dream.
Located a few kilometres inland from the Coromandel Coast, approximately 160 kms south of Chennai and 10 kms north of the town of Puducherry, Auroville is a poet's retreat.
If you want to just get away, sit by the sea and write all day or read a book or just contemplate life then Auroville is your perfect destination.
With French settlement in the town, instead of hotels and resort one can experiment by opting for the home stays.
Set amidst the thick forest cover, the exotic bungalows with French windows and old wooden furniture stand out with dancing yellow lights in the dark. A smiling host ushers you in.
A fully carpeted living room with nicely done adjoining rooms welcome you. As you walk across the hall, a small backyard, with a lily pond bathed in moonlight is mesmerising. You can sit in the quiet night under the spread of stars and sip sparkling champagne, with the trees whispering sweet melodies for music.
It is best to wake up early in the morning and go for a dip in the sea. Unlike other beaches which are normally cluttered and dirty, this beach is like your personal property.
You can splash around in the water for hours together and then come back in time for a exotic spread of breakfast at the New Creation Corner(NCC). A cafe situated on a busy road, the NCC is a favourite amongst tourists. Serving mostly western food, and now also specialised in Italian pizza, with an outdoor wood oven, this cafe is a must visit.
After a day of leisure walks, refreshing swims and lazing around, a walk in the market place is recommended. It is a perfect place for good bargains.
If you are looking for designer stuff then you will be disappointed. But for people who like street shopping then maybe you could add a few things to your wardrobe. You can also choose from an array of junk jewellery and cotton dresses.
At the centre of the township lies the Peace Area, comprising the Matrimandir and its gardens, the amphitheatre and a lake to help create an atmosphere of calm and serenity.
In the evening one can sit here and get lost in the world of thoughts.
A lot of people are seen around meditating and everyone is connected by a sense of spirituality.
As the sun submerges in the horizon, and a dark cover envelopes you in its serenity, your feet automatically take you to the sea again.
The feeling of the soft cool sand under your feet and the silver waves crawling slowly on the beach make you forget that there is civilisation outside.
You travel back in time, and all sweet memories from the past come rushing back, filling your soul.
In that moment you are reborn with new thoughts, new perspectives and look at everything in a new light. Auroville does that to you, it gives you memories for a lifetime.
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