Entering Gaia’s Garden

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Gaia is the Goddess of Mother Earth in Greek Mythology. She creates enormous diversity over and over again with her force, which fills us with wonder and admiration at the same time.

Gaia’s Garden has been a small ecological community in Auroville since 1996. It is perhaps the only flower garden in the area, a sanctuary for exotic tropical plants spreading over 2.67 acres.

The garden is a playful experiment in the hot and dry climate of south India - playing with both cultivated and wild plants, grasses, bamboo, shrubs and trees. Lawns consume too much water, so Gaia’s Garden uses pebbles and stones as a counterbalance to harmonise the yin and the yang.

Experimenting and not having over-strict rules in gardening can give unexpected surprises and a new way of gardening. The combinations are endless. A garden is never finished - it is, as Life, an ongoing process and a dialogue with nature; it seeks attention all the time.

To enjoy the abundance of nature, be quiet and just BE. Stop analysing with the mind for a while and just look, listen and feel the whole garden, its light, colours, and shapes. Experience THE PRESENCE.

The GG team sincerely asks you to observe our house rules for a harmonious and bliss-filled stay at Gaia’s Garden.

Out of the Guest House

I’m dreaming of starting a day with sunrise in the Horizon. How far is the beach? Is it a walkable distance?

Indeed. We love to walk down early in the morning or in the evening. The Auro beach is 1km down.

It’s my first time in Auroville. Can I go to the Matrimandir or meditate in the chamber?

Matrimandir is the Soul of Auroville. To see Matrimandir and its gardens from the Viewing Point, you need to pick up a free pass from the Information Desk at the Visitors Centre. Every Tuesday is closed. After the introduction on Auroville, you can book a meditation in the chamber.

We have children with us. What can we do in Auroville?

  • Sound Park in Svaram

  • La Piscine- Auroville Swimming pool

  • Botanical Garden in Auroville.

  • If you stay longer, then you can consider taking your children to Horse riding.

  • Every Friday there is a special bus to Sadhana Forest

Apart from Beach walk, is there anywhere to cycle/walk without traffic?

We are in the ecovillage!! We highly recommend walking in the Auroville Forest. 50 years old tree covers the entire area, there is no car. So green!! I know someone who cycled the entire night in this forest, discovering every single path of Auroville.

I heard Pondicherry has unique features of French style. How far is Pondicherry?

It’s 6km away and the famous White Town is 8km. While you are in Pondicherry, we highly recommend visiting Sri Aurobindo’s Ashram, Ganesh Temple and Promenade. Also there is a Sunday market every Sunday!