Drawings showing the tracing of a 1931 map of the area around Pondicherry, which shows the Auroville area as well.

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.

Photos of Matrimandir under construction, from different years.

The Urn at the Amphitheater was a central feature of Auroville’s inauguration ceremony. Into it was poured soil from most of the countries of the world, as well as each state of India. It still stands today at the center of the Amphitheater.

The photos of delegates arriving at the venue for the inauguration gives a sense of the activity, excitement and human energy of the occasion. Once the event began, a more sombre energy would have prevailed.