GET READY FOR THE AUROVILLE EXPERIENCE

PRACTICAL INFORMATION TO HELP YOU PREPARE YOUR STAY

 S AVI : M EANS KEY IN T AMIL

The Savi team is ready to welcome, support and facilitate your experience in Auroville. Our office, located in the Unity
Pavilion next to Savitri Bhavan, is open from Monday to Friday from 10:00-12:00 and 3:00-5:00. Please keep us informed
about your date of arrival so we can schedule a Welcome meeting with a member of the Savi team, who will guide you
through your first steps and give you practical information.

C ULTURE V ISA

Living among Tamil-Indian Communities implies respect for If you are not Indian, you can come with a tourist visa,
the local way of living: mentioning visiting Auroville as the purpose of your visit.
 Please avoid displaying signs of wealth and restrain from
public displays of affection. Avoid using the word volunteering as it might lead to
 Women’s decency is an important aspect of the culture so misunderstandings.
please dress modestly (women should not show their
shoulders and knees, and should wear a 1 piece bathing In any case, we strongly advise you to familiarize yourself with
suit on the beach, it is inappropriate for men to be topless the visa requirements for your country.
in public places).
 The Aurovilian way of life requires you to restrain your
alcohol consumption and avoid all forms of narcotic drugs.

C HECKLIST

 Insurance covering health, safety, civil liability and repatriation.

 A copy of your passport and visa.
 ID pictures can be useful.
 M ONEY AND B UDGET

The State Bank of India has a branch on the main street of the nearby Village; there are also a number of other Indian and
international ATM’s, such as Citibank. Please check with your bank that your ATM card will work here. The approximate monthly
budget for one person is as follows (pocket money for extras or souvenirs is not included):
 Accommodation: Rs. 6,000 to 15,000/-
 Food: Rs. 4,000 to 8,000/- per month according to your diet.
 Moped plus petrol: Rs. 2,700 to 3,500/-
 Bicycle: Rs. 650 to 750/-
 Toiletries, mobile phone, etcetera: Rs. 3, 000 to 5,000/-
Total = Rs. 15,700 to 31,500/-
As a volunteer or student, you are not allowed to get paid in Auroville, however, some units may offer support in kind to those
making long term commitments.

G ETTING TO A UROVILLE A CCOMMODATION

There are two possibilities for reaching Auroville:
By Taxi: The drive from the airport in Chennai to Auroville
takes approximately 3 to 4 hours depending on the traffic and
costs Rs. 2,400/- (March 2014). We recommend you reserve
your ride with an Auroville Taxi Service Unit. You can book
directly or ask your guesthouse to make the booking for you,
please mention your estimated time of arrival and flight
information.
By Bus: The ride from Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus takes
approximately 4.5 hours and costs Rs. 100/-. Take the bus
going to Pondicherry; ask for the local bus (point to point) that
drives along the East Coast Road (ECR), and get off at the main
bus stop. From there, take a taxi or an auto rickshaw to your
final destination in Auroville (Rs. 200 – 250/-).
There are many Guest Houses in Auroville. Prices vary
according to the facilities, degree of comfort and additional
services, such as meals, laundry facilities, cycle hire options,
etc.
Booking in advance is advised, especially during the peak
visitor season of December to March.
The Volunteer Housing Network (VHN) is an effort to give long
term volunteers who are registered with Savi and placed in a
Unit, more affordable housing options. In this mutually
beneficial model, Savi connects long term volunteers with
participating Guest Houses insuring occupancy in exchange for
a substantial discount.
 WEATHER

The weather in Auroville is semitropical:

 January, February: No rain normally – Temperatures: 18˚C to 30˚C – Humidity: 80 to 90%
 March to June: Rare storms – Temperatures: 35˚C to 45˚C – Humidity: 60 to 70%
 July to September: Rare storms – Temperatures: 30˚C to 35˚C – Humidity: 60 to 70%
 October to December: Heavy rain (monsoon) – Temperatures: 20˚C to 30˚C – Humidity: 80 to 100%

THINGS TO BRING THINGS YOU CAN BUY HERE

We recommend you bring the following items: You will find almost every item you might need in Auroville,
 Bathing suit and undergarments (especially for we recommend you pack light:
women).  Clothes and shoes are very cheap, as well as
 Personal hygiene products for the first days, as well appropriate for the weather.
as very specific products (for example, contact lens  Mosquito repellant, local products are better
solution). adapted to the environment.
 Basic First Aid kit.  All kinds of batteries.
 Universal multi plug adaptor.  Mosquito net for sleeping.
 Camera, memory cards, pen drive.  There are several health centers and pharmacies,
 Thin towel. personal hygiene products and medicines are readily
 Sturdy/ robust bag for the day. available.
 Number lock.  Should you have any doubt, feel free to ask us.
 Off season: socks, blanket, hat, fleece jacket.
 Rain season: umbrella, rain jacket/ cape, clothes and
towels of microfiber (better drying).