Matrimandir Newsletter

Articulating the Emerging Culture of Auroville

MAgzAV is an Art & Culture magazine published irregularly since October 2010. (The first two issues were still simply called Art & Culture).

Tamil Culture newsletter

The word vaasal (entrance) comes from the word vaai (mouth). The entrance is the most important part of any Tamil village, a place which needs protecting from alien forces which might cause chaos if not properly watched over. Notice the location of prominent temples and shrines at the outer perimeter of villages around Auroville - placed at strategic points like crossroads and waterways where they can make sure no harm comes to the residents.

Speaking about the very first condition to live in Auroville as stated in the Charter of Auroville: "To live in Auroville one must be the willing servitor of the Divine Consciousness", Mother explained that the Matrimandir symbolized the Divine Consciousness.She called it 'the Soul of Auroville' and 'the living symbol of Auroville's aspiration for the Divine'.