Location: Auroville
Top Things to do in Auroville
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What to do and see in Auroville, Union Territory of Pondicherry: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Auroville, India including Red Earth Riding School, Sadhana Forest, Irumbai Shri Maha Kaleshwar Siva Temple, Auroville Botanical Gardens, Mantrimandir, Matrimandir, Auroville, Auroville Visitors Center, Auroville Papers, Svaram.
Restaurants in Auroville
1. Red Earth Riding School
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By rp1311
Red Earth Riding School is located in a perfect little nook near Auroville, and has the most welcoming atmosphere. After learning to ride at different schools across South India over several years, I can say that this is by far the most wholesome experience that I have had. From learning exactly how the horse thinks and responds to you, to the importance of groundwork (something I only learned at RERS), and washing the horses -- Red Earth delivers the most uplifting riding experience. The team at Red Earth are very encouraging and personable, and understand first that they are working with people and animals and that the school is not a business. It is very refreshing to be around staff that are so patient and always happy to help and explain something to you. They offer several areas of coaching and training, from dressage and jumping, to groundwork and leadership programmes, and anyone can try any thing! Red Earth also provides accommodation for those who just want a quiet getaway in nature around animals -- it is home to highly rated The Black Box home (check Airbnb) that houses several guests and offers a bunch of fun activities, including surfing and barbecue nights! Jacqueline's troop of dogs are great fun to be around and provide lots of love and laughs to the horses and the school! In my opinion, it is the best place to learn to ride and get oneself some essential animal therapy.
2. Sadhana Forest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 163 reviews
Sadhana Forest is a reforestation project and a sustainable living community in Auroville, Tamil Nadu, South India. Visitors are most welcome to visit Sadhana Forest at any time! Every Friday the community offers a big tour, screens a documentary and serves a vegan organic dinner. All activities are free of charge and reservations are not required. Check the Sadhana Forest website for more info.
Reviewed By loun812 - Frankfurt, Germany
I heard about Sadhana Forest a while ago but I didn't really know what to expect and if I want to stay a month at one place. So I first came on the friday tour to have a look at it. The tour is offered by Sadhana Forest for free every friday. They pick you up and show you the whole place, explain you everything and are open for any questions. After this there is a eco - movie night followed by an amazing vegan dinner where you can connect with volunteers and get to know more about the personal experiences at Sadhana Forest. The tour really touched and inspired me so I had no doubts anymore and I decided at the same day: I definitely want to stay a month! I already felt that the place is spreading a really special energy, is following great values and offers you so much to learn. You experience that it is possible and even very enjoyable to live a zero waste live and not only this but even giving something back to the world by reforestation. Your personality can grow so much in this project not only by the sevas (selfless service instead of "work") but also by being part of this wonderful community. You live together with people from all over the world, everyone has a different background and different skills which are often shared with everyone interested by giving workshops. So I came here to stay for 4 weeks and I love it. It is such a beautiful place with beautiful people. Everybody is taking care of each other you integrate very fast, learn so much from each other and about yourself and your doing something that is truly meaningful. In Sadhana forest a giving economy is practiced which truly leads to happiness. Pure giving without expecting anything in return is wonderful, we do not need to fear that there will not be enough for ourselves or that we might lose anything by giving. There is enough for everyone and giving brings people together and creates happiness. I am very grateful to be here and be a part of the project now. I already feel how grounding this experience is. The vegan food is kind of healing your body, gives you more energy and increases your health, the sevas and the life in the community gives you the opportunity to reconnect with your core values and live aligned with them. If you want to get an impression of Sandhana Forest I can truly recommend you the Friday tour but everybody is welcome to visit at any time. There will always be a volunteer to show you around and you are always welcome to join for breakfast, lunch or dinner and you can even try out the sevas. I am sure you will not regret it and maybe you even feel attracted to this place and want to stay longer. I am so grateful for this experience here realised by this amazing project and the wonderful people who support it. <3
3. Irumbai Shri Maha Kaleshwar Siva Temple
4. Auroville Botanical Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
The Auroville Botanical Garden has been established in response to the disappearing Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest of the Coromandel Coast, south India, and to the global need for the conservation of genetic diversity in the plant kingdom in a wide range of climatic conditions. The Auroville Botanical Garden was started in August 2000 on 50 acres of old cashew land rescued from the threat of real estate development. The Gardens have seen a remarkable growth since then. The site has been transformed into a luxuriant landscape that serves as an area for research into environmentally sustainable approaches to land management, as well as a location for environmental education. More than 310 tree species have been planted in the 25-acre arboretum, 5,500 specimens have been planted in the 10-acre conservation forest, and a TDEF plant nursery has been created, capable of producing 50,000 seedlings per year to promote the re-introduction of the indigenous flora of the region.
Reviewed By Matilde_Mir - Auroville, India
Is such a peaceful and interesting place to see in Auroville. There is a plumeria, cactus, orchid section. There is a small shop where you can get pots and , plants and the basics to start your own garden. Don't miss it!
5. Mantrimandir
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By stutirosy - New Delhi, India
It is a completely different and spiritual place.I found this structure like Ferrero Rocher chocolate!! This is a place in India ???????? where there is no religion,no money,noGod,no ownership !!! It is only humanity based !! ????
6. Matrimandir
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,210 reviews
Reviewed By EileenMtShasta - Mount Shasta, United States
Inside MatriMandir tours are every morning at 8:30 am except Sunday. To get tickets to go inside, you need to pick up the free pass in person, only between 10-11 am and 2-3 pm and they will be for the next available day. Ask at the Visitor's Center the location (it is upstairs and not clearly marked). We went on Wednesday afternoon and the first available date was Friday. However, it rained on Friday so MatriMandir was closed! Luckily we could go on Saturday as they honored our pass. It was an amazing experience to go inside! Highly recommended. The outside viewing is available daily and the vibration is very peaceful, even if there are crowds of people making noise all around.
7. Auroville
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 280 reviews
Reviewed By ST_INDIA - New Delhi, India
This is surely a Must visit place while in Pondicherry. The place in bit far from main Pondicherry town and you have to hire a bike or taxi to visit this place. The area is very peaceful and actually very big. You need atleast 3-4 hours to see this place. The place is very well managed by the trust. It’s peaceful and full of natural surroundings. The food is also there. Overall a must see place.
8. Auroville Visitors Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By DhirujSarda - Hyderabad, India
I have visited Auroville 4 times in the past as many years. It is a lovely place. The Visitor center is very tourist friendly place. It is very peaceful, the food court is lovely and the meals are super healthy. I had a Healthy Meal - it was a full meal with Beetroot soup and salad and a lot of other things. It s a must visit place for any tourist in Pondichery.. The shops there are also lovely.
9. Auroville Papers
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
10. Svaram
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By SumithD_13 - Ernakulam, India
For you to experience acoustics in different forms and to learn how sound travels through different mediums this is the place. They are into manufacture of wind chimes and other sound instruments etc.
