Utopia?

There is no USB on this computer, but this is a picture of the matrimandir from the internet.
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Auroville is very very strange.

The small town was established in 1968 as part of "The Mother's" vision of perfection.  It is about 15 kilometers out of Pondicherry and aerial snapshots show that it takes the form of the yin and yang symbol.

The town is based on the principle that countries are artificial fabrications and everyone should be able to live together regardless of territorial affiliation.  People from over 30 countries live together, practicing sustainable harvesting methods / agriculture and working to achieve something called "divine consciousness."

I first heard about Auroville from this old French man I met in Pondicherry.  He told me it was one of the most wonderful places on earth, and that I should go live there for a few months.  Anyone can live in Auroville, as long as they share the same philosophy, are willing to perform manual labour and contribute towards environmental research.

After hearing so much about this utopic paradise, I decided to go explore the town myself.  I was very surprised at what I saw.  There are guards everywhere, restricting where visitors can wander.  I find this somewhat surprising, since the town is based on the principle that everyone is welcome.  Perhaps even more horribly, a sign has been erected near the main beach entrance stating that the beach is for Aurovilians only.  Later, another traveler tells me that this is an imperialistic attempt to restrict the Indian population from the beach.  It does resound with neo colonialism.

Perhaps the most bizarre thing about the settlement us the Matrimandir.  A first glimpse of the Matrimandir makes me think I have landed on Mars.  It is a huge golden ball-like structre that houses a meditation chamber.  Of course, I am not allowed in the structure but the outside is weird enough.  In the words of my new friend Angela, why is all of this needed? a tree was good enough for Buddha.

I don't think i will be joining the Aurovilian community anytime soon.