At the Very Center

At the very center of Auroville is the Peace Area or what residents call the Matrimandir. One look at its construction and the visitor can see just how unique it is. Its gold structure is surrounded by luscious gardens and the amphitheater contains one of the town’s most important properties, the Urn of Human Unity. What is this? It is a white marble-clad, lotus-shaped urn that contains the soil of 121 nations and 23 Indian countries. But one might wonder what makes this extremely important for its residents.

Symbol of Unity

When Auroville was inaugurated on February 28, 1968, a total of 5,000 people assembled near the town’s banyan tree. Representatives from 124 nations and 23 Indian countries came to give soil from their land as a symbol of unity. Mother recognized this as a gesture of acceptance and recognition for her hard work and vision. Hence, the urn that contained the soil was placed at the very center. However, this isn’t the only beautiful area in Auroville.