Auroville: a city in which there is no politics, religion and national differences

Auroville, or "city of dawn", is an international city in southern India, developing under the auspices of UNESCO. Located in Tamil Nadu near the city of Puducherry. According to the founders of the city, it should become an experiment in creating an international society of people living outside politics and religious preferences.

"Somewhere on earth there must be a place to which no nation could claim the right. Where all people with sincere aspiration could live freely as citizens of the world, following only one guide: the guide of the Supreme Truth" (from the film "Auroville — the Dream of the Divine").

It seems like a fairy tale from the Indiana Jones movies, an ancient Eastern legend — anything but the truth. But Auroville does exist.

In 1968, on the day of the founding of the city, representatives of hundreds of countries came to Auroville and brought with them land from their native lands. The chernozem was put into marble urns and buried near Matrimandir. Now it is a place of general gathering. "Matrimandir" translates as "Mother Temple" and symbolizes a way of life that is designed to free people from their limitations: political, financial and social. It goes back to the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Alfassa, an Indian man and a French woman: they ran an ashram, which later turned into the city of Auroville (an ashram is a place where people who are engaged in intensive spiritual practice live. — Ed.).

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Matrimandir is located in the heart of Auroville. It is a building with a golden dome where residents gather together and meditate. In the center, right under the dome, is a huge crystal ball. Bright light is blinding in the first moments — during the whole daylight day, the ball is surrounded by streams of sunlight.

The city was equipped to accommodate 50 thousand people. Now the number of permanent residents is two thousand. Most came from India, but there are people from France, Germany, Israel, America, Russia and many other countries. They live in houses arranged in a spiral that unfolds from the city center, from Matrimandir. Everyone is doing their own thing. The city is trying to provide for itself: there are fields, factories, bakeries, a solar-powered canteen, schools, cinemas, a music school and even the editorial office of a local newspaper.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

All important decisions in the city are made by special research groups and approved by a general vote. There is no mayor or other single governing body.

Anyone can become a resident of Auroville. The probationary period for newcomers lasts a year, after which citizens can refuse to accept a "rookie". If you are going to move to this city, you should buy the house in which you will live yourself. It will remain your property for as long as you live in the city.

All residents who work in Auroville receive a monthly salary of about 90 euros. There are many young families here. Apart from farmers and engineers, the city has no shortage of artists, architects, scientists and doctors. Residents are sure that here they are part of a big experiment that will benefit all of humanity.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

Photographer: Anna Schonharting.

There are no cars here, except for taxis that deliver people from the "outside world". The city occupies a small area, and many people travel on mopeds. Life in Auroville is quite diverse, but by no means simple. Every day you have to fight with yourself, with your complexes and fears — there are no distractions here, you will not be able to avoid people. Many who move here in pairs break up after a while. Even a beginner who doesn't know anyone in the city will know everyone who lives here after a while. There are absolutely no communication barriers in Auroville: the locals are very open and incredibly calm.