Auroville’s birthday (inauguration day) just went by on February 28th, and the Archives received a query asking when the first bonfire at the Amphitheater took place. We’re still finding out the answer, but we found a photo attributed to Feb 28 1976. However the photo is really dark, so instead of showing that photo here, we’re showing two photos from the 1977 and 1978 birthday bonfires. The 1978 photo was taken by Indra Poddar. In both photos, you can see the Matrimandir under construction, and the Banyan Tree. You can also see the progress in construction between the two years – the inner chamber is in place in the second photo! The red sandstone has yet to be laid on the Amphitheater.
