Itinerary

This famous plan of the galaxy, which has been revised, amended, modified, altered, studied, commented upon, criticized and adored on so many occasions over the five decades of Auroville‟ existence, while it did appear initially , in one of its earliest versions, on a brochure released to inform the public and encourage donations, on which Mother had signed Her Blessings, around the time of the inauguration of Auroville, not only has never been developed into a detailed study taking into account all the existing factors, but represents a model that is different to the one Mother had first appreciated as a faithful translation, or rendering, of Her formation – that of a nebulae with its motionless radiation in every direction at once, rather than this one of a galaxy rotating to the left. Nonetheless it was indeed indispensable for the collective adventure of Auroville to be provided with a general plan which would serve as a guide and a spur to preserve and encourage the urge, discipline and commitment of all of its members towards the future, a future that would concern humanity as a whole, rather than remain the restricted domain of an elite, however representative. And in this perspective, Mother has given a number of clues regarding the functioning of the city, the mode of living of its inhabitants, their approach to material goods as well as to the spirit of simplicity, diversity and harmony that must reign. Regarding the inner structure of the city as well, She has given, through Her own sketches and recorded words, the leading principles: at the centre the sanctuary of Truth and Love - which She finally named “Matrimandir”, with water around it and the Park of Unity, all of it in a silent zone -, then the four large petals defining the four principles of activity – international, industrial, cultural and residential – and, at the circumference, tucked

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