Matrimandir is the central meditation house of Auroville. The structure houses many meditation and internal yoga rooms that have been developed under The Mother and Rishi Aurobindo Ashram. The place itself is a part of the Auroville society that aims to become a self-dependent and self-governed society.
Matrimandir is not the property of anyone. It invites people from all religions, nationalities, and walks of life to come and find their inner peace. It is a hub of self-reflection that aims to help people reach the ultimate stage of spirituality. The place is now located in Pondicherry within the Auroville society.
The concept of Matrimandir aimed to honour the spiritual Mother, who has been named differently throughout ages and cultures. People from any gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion and social standing can visit the Matrimandir and begin their quest for spiritual happiness.
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Matrimandir: Key facts
| Name: Matrimandir |
| Location: Auroville, Pondicherry |
| Date of Establishment: 2008 |
| Purpose: Meditation and Self-reflection |
| Ownership: Under the care of the Auroville Foundation |
| Timing: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm every day except Tuesday |
History and development of Matrimandir
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Auroville started as a concept that originated in the mind of Mirra Alfassa, who is also behind the original idea of creating a society like Auroville. She worked closely with Sri Aurobindo and formed this spiritual hub away from the world as we know it.
The idea of Matrimandir was discussed in 1971, and it took a good part of 37 years to complete this majestic structure. The place was designed by the French architect Roger Anger who was approached by The Mother to complete this project. The enthusiastic architect has designed five concepts, out of which The Mother had finally selected the current design of Matrimandir.
Architecture of Matrimandir
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Matrimandir is nothing short of an architectural marvel and is known to house the perfect glass globe in the world. The beautiful towering dome of the Matrimandir is covered by golden panels and holds a melee of rooms and hallways that lead to the inner sanctum. The dome is also supported by twelve pillars known as petals that hold twelve medication chambers within itself.
Inside the central dome lies a huge meditation hall that forms the inner chamber of Matrimandir. There are four main pillars that support the Matrimandir and have been set in the four main directions of the compass. The place is also surrounded by gardens in the central Peace Area and is open to the public for visitation. However, to enter the inner chamber, one needs to make a prior appointment.
Timings and passes for Matrimandir
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Matrimandir is open on all days except Tuesdays. Tourists who want to marvel at this architectural beauty can reach Auroville and book their free tickets in person. These tickets allow them to explore the garden and outside premises of Auroville. You cannot take private vehicles inside the society, so walking on foot is the only option. For senior citizens and people with disabilities, an electric car is available.
From the booking counter, you need to walk one km to reach Matrimandir. If you want to explore the interiors of Matrimandir, you need to book beforehand and in person and from their website only. The entry to the inner sanctum is also free of cost. No third-party apps or guides are allowed to book tickets on anyone’s behalf.
You can visit the inner sanctum of Matrimandir on Saturday mornings only. Also, you need to make a prior appointment and wait to receive confirmation for your booking. It is recommended to book at least three days in advance to get a guaranteed ticket to the inner sanctum.
If you are visiting any of the petal rooms, the concentration-time would be between 9:30 am – 10:45 am. People visiting the inner chamber can join the concentration meditation from 9:35 am to 10:05 am. Entry to the inner chamber is not allowed after 9:45 am.
FAQs
Where is Matrimandir located?
Matrimandir is located in the heart of Auroville. Auroville itself is located in Pondicherry, which is a union territory of India. Located a little away from the city, the Matrimandir is one of the focal points in the futuristic society of Auroville.
How can you reach Matrimandir?
Tourists who want to reach Matrimandir need to arrive at Pondicherry by air, rail, or road. From here, a cab or bus ride will take you to the gates of Auroville. Private vehicles are not allowed inside, so you have to walk around one km to reach Matrimandir.
What is the entry fee for Matrimandir?
If you are visiting the garden surrounding Matrimandir, there is no entry fee. Additionally, there is no entry fee for visiting the petal rooms or the inner chamber. All bookings are made in person either on that day or a day before.
