matrimandir

Many people visit Auroville and end up not going inside the Matrimandir and hence, miss out on the free guided tour of why this "international city" exists and what is its purpose. You need prior reservation (3-7 days before visiting) to go inside the Matrimandir - easiest way is to shoot them an email 3-4 days before you want to go. (email is mentioned on their website). They are pretty quick to respond; alternatively you can go physically and make a reservation for visiting after 2-3 days. This is not a temple in a traditional sense, but is the center of Auroville and the great vision of "Mother". (you can learn more on your guided tour). Inside the Matrimandir, there is a meditation room with a capacity of~80 people where you are supposed to maintain pin-drop silence for 15 minutes and concentrate/mediate looking at the crystal as a beam of focused sunlight falls on it. For me this was the best part! While returning, you get to spend sometime under the banyan tree and garden (There is a separate reservation if you want to spend more time in garden). Overall, must visit.

Love the Matrimandir, an engineering marvel. Must go if you need peace and oneness. But getting there is a huge hassle. A real put off. Maybe that is their intent so once is too much.

I do not know what to expect in Matrimandir but the fact that Auroville has more than 43 nationalities, 12 schools? (incl. outreach schools), health centres, clinics and population of more than 2000 is indeed an amazing fact. It is a place of quietness and serene with high level of concentration, especially within Matrimandir itself. Matrimandir is only accessible to its residents, so we only get to 'tour' from a distance and its other surroundings.The walk itself to Matrimandir is breathtaking, passing through some 12 erected stone slabs depicting the 12 petals of Matrimandir and through an amazing passage of Banyan trees, which is more than 100 years old and formed its new roots from branches branching towards the ground forming new trunks!!! It is quite a scene and definitely a good place to take a breather while walking towards Matrimandir.

Opens your eyes to a perspective different than usual.City on its own. You will see a lot of foreigners settled there itself.1 km walk to the dome is also nice

As fortune has it I am a privileged traveler having had the great fortune of traveling with a well respected man here. If you can gain access within, the experience changes your life!It is a sight worth seeing from exteriors as well so do not miss it. The sphere is plated in pure gold and the energy cast from it is evident before you approach it. The entire community of Auroville is dedicated to Unity and self sustenance. The food and crafts are exceptional. THis place truely lives in the 60's mentality of peace and love. Traditional massage, food, crafts are all very affordable to an outside traveler. It is more expensive than in town but as an American with the exchange rate it is so affordable. This place is a game changer DO NOT MISS IT

Mantri Mandir is closed for a casual visitor. Its only open for residents of Auroville. Also, the products being sold at the entrance of Auroville- at The Visitors Centre, like incense sticks, fridge magnets, cosmetics etc., are unnecessarily expensive and of no value of money at all.

This place is amazing..please spare a day to visit this place..lot of interesting restaurants..hire a moped to go around..don't forget to buy from Mira Boutique..they are decently priced, you must buy paper products... Chill around and have a great experience....

Matrimandir, Auroville is 10 KM from Pondicherry. You need a full day. Take some Drinking water and snacks. To reach the Mandis you have to walk on the trail to it. Surroundings are beautifully line with greenary and flowers. On the trail they have erected upright plaques with mesages on it depicting the flowers. The messages of course are for us mankind to follow a good path. It was the best place I have been to in Chennai after the Jesus Christ church on Subbaya Salai.

great place..great infrastrcture...!! Havent seen something like this in India.. the place is calm, serene and perfect for relaxation..only thing is you have to stay there atleast for one day for that perfect relaxation. the 15 minutes meditation was also divine...Kudos for all who are involved with Auroville..

Make sure you plan for a trip to visit the Matrimandir inside. Booking need to be done a day before the visit and the booking counter is open from 11 to 12 noon. And they are very perticular about the time

Coming into Aurovile boundaries is an experience: everything is clean and peaceful. The visitor's center at the entrance gives some clues about the goals and the history, but of course this does not say all of it, but the good.It was too late to see much of Auroville, but we hurried to have a look at the Matrimandir, from the viewing point only, since going inside, as explained by everyone, needs a protocol. THe walk is nice and worth it.The shops were closing but looked nice, we had a drink at the cafe, and listened for a while to some inhabitants playing rock on a scene beautifully arranged near the shops. Knowing that more than 2000 people live here (it takes one year to be granted) raises some questions about your own life's experience, each one will go his own way.

If you dont plan ahead.. you get to see the mandir from 100 metres away as you see in the picture.. So if you wish to see inside the mandir.. get a permit before hand or plan to be here for 2-3 days..

To reach Matrimandir, you have to walk your way around 1.5 km... The walk is nice.. .Tree shades all along.... So no problem even in the intense sun.... Free bus service is there while coming back... Need to collect free coupons from auditorium for Matri mandir...

After years of hearing about it, and seeing so many soaps manufactured in Auroville, it was time to make a stop.You can not get close to the orb, and you cannot visit the village unless you plan it days in advance. A resident told me you have to be invited personally by someone. There is an information booth for visitors but was told they don't welcome visitors. They tolerate them.

There is no place like Matrimandir, I believe. Entrance here is limited every day so if you stay in Auroville for a couple of days, the first thing you should do is go to the Visitors Centre to get the permit. Usually you can't get slot for the day itself. I got a slot 2 days after. We got picked up by a shuttle bus from the visitor's centre and spent some time at the viewing area. Later on, there was a guide who would briefed us on the conception of Matrimandir. It was a surreal experience inside. I should not say more as not to spoil the experience. Just go!