The place is very big. You have to walk for a long distance to see the view point. Only the outer chamber can be seen. For the inner chamber, you need to book it in their website well advance which we are not aware of. To come back from the view point to car parking, either you have to walk back the long distance or wait for a long time for their bus service. Parking charges are very high

I spent more that a month working as a volunteer in Autoville, and my experience was excellent. A great place to open up your mind, get inspired, and meets lots of interesting people: living there and visitors like me. Always looking forward to come back.

It is best if one stays for a day or two in Auroville. One might not enjoy it much as a day tour spot. I visited the place just for the day and enjoyed the walk through the forests to reach the Matrimandir view point. Honestly, I did not like the view of the Matrimandir that much but I loved the walk. The walk was through the green forest with most of the path having ample shade. They purposely made the path to reach the viewpoint long as that path passed through several of their exhibitions. The return path was shorter and more beautiful. It was a forest trail and had very less people as most people travelled back via the free bus. It feels bad to see that even young people were not able to handle the few kilometres of walk on plain level. After leaving Auroville it is advisable to take the detour and visit some of the cafes of the place a few kilometres away.

The Matrimandir is the visual centre of this place.You can only get inside with advanced pre-booking. This place is billed as placed to contemplate etc founded by "The Mother" the colaborator of Auro Sindo (his Ashram is in Pondi). For a place of contemplation there is a huge amount of building and digging (JCBs all around) going on. It does give me the horrible feeling of a cult (a rich one at that), managing to pull in lost souls (mostly western) into its heart. The words seem noble but....

Located about 10 kilometers away from downtown Pondicherry, this place is difficult to reach without a car. I hired a taxi driver through my hotel to visit it. The ride is uphill and dusty. There is no entrance fee for this attraction. At the Visitor Center, one looks at the exhibits and watches the related video showing the history of Aurowville. Noted several boutique shops and small restaurants here. It takes about 1.5 kilometers to walk from here to the Vkew Point of Matrimandir.

You need 2 3 hours if you really want to see the place in depth. Important: -You have to walk around 2 to 3 km, car only available for handicapped and old PPL and if you want to know it in real spirit go walking only have a umbrella if 🌞 -Many cafes inside, if a bit there, -15 km from the city

Auroville is a must go if you visit Pondicherry. The main Matri Mandir can be viewed from a viewing point free but to enter you have to book ahead. From visitors centre there is a free shuttle to Matri mandir. Around the Visitors centre there are shops and cafés. We had lunch in the Auroville cafe. Food was good. Chicken mayonnaise salad came with two rotis. Roast chicken had greens French fries and salad and was good. Mushroom tart also came with salad. Small airconditioned space. Shops were a little on the higher side price wise.

It is a unique township which has become the abode of people of different nationalities, who embody Sri Aurobindo’s principle of simplicity. I was impressed to find that the township subsists on farm produce and small cottage industries managed by the inmates themselves. A major attraction for me was the gigantic golden dome called Matrimandir. It is basically an area for meditation for the residents. Auroville is must visit to get a feel of human unity at its most beautiful.