Matrimandir Gardens of Life and Power

Auroville, Viluppuram, TN, India

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Matrimandir Gardens of Life and Power

Auroville, Viluppuram, TN, India

Firm

The Native Platform

Type

Landscape + Planning › Public Park

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2022

SIZE

0 sqft - 1000 sqft

There are 12 main gardens around Matrimandir—the meditation pavilion located at the centre of the experimental township of Auroville, Tamil Nadu, India. An integral part of the city’s masterplan given by the late French architect Roger Anger, each garden has each been assigned a specific spiritual theme by Auroville’s founder Mirra Alfassa, better known as The Mother.

The gardens of Life and Power are adjacent to one another and partially shaded by a big banyan tree around which Aurovillians gather for silent meditation. While the design concepts and intended experience of both the gardens set them apart, the landscaping techniques and materials used create a seamless transition between the two. The construction of the gardens began in November 2021 and was completed in August 2022.

The concept of ‘life’ has been described as a force or a series of transforming energies in Auroville’s spiritual teachings. Life Garden, therefore, is designed as a journey through different elements, with water signified as the genesis of life. The experience of Power Garden, on the other hand, emphasizes aesthetic beauty. Taking inspiration from minimalistic Japanese gardens, the primary focus in Power Garden is the set of sculptural pots or ‘urlis’ placed in a bed of white marble chips.

The Matrimandir Gardens of Life and Power have been built with materials sourced either from the Matrimandir workshops or transported from sites within Tamil Nadu. Stones like kadappa, granite and red Agra sandstone have been cut and finished onsite. A variety of hibiscus, among other flowers and ground covers, has been planted in both the gardens. This project is the result of a collaboration between the three independent architects selected through a competition process, and local experts in Auroville, along with inputs from the Aurovillian community.