Matrimandir

The Matrimandir (Sanskrit for Temple of the Mother) is an edifice of spiritual significance for practitioners of integral yoga, in the centre of Auroville established by the Mother of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It is called soul of the city and is situated in a large open space called Peace.

Matrimandir
Auroville Matri Mandir
Matrimandir
General information
Typestainless steel sphere gold plated
Architectural stylespherical
Town or cityAuroville, Tamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Coordinates12.007208°N 79.810658°E / 12.007208; 79.810658
Groundbreaking21 February 1971
CompletedFebruary 2008
Costover one trillion rupees
Height23.5 meters
Design and construction
Architect(s)The Mother
Roger Anger
Website
Description of the Matrimandir from Auroville's website

Structure and surroundings
Sri Aurobindo
Family
Political career
Speeches and books
Teachings
Places
Communities
Disciples
Journals and forums

The Matrimandir took 37 years to build, from the laying of the foundation stone at sunrise on 21 February 1971 - the Mother's 93rd birthday - to its completion in May 2008. It is in the form of a huge sphere surrounded by twelve petals. The Geodesic dome is covered by golden discs and reflects sunlight, which gives the structure its characteristic radiance. Inside the central dome is a meditation hall known as the inner chamber - this contains the largest optically-perfect glass globe in the world. The Matrimandir, and its surrounding gardens in the central Peace Area, is open to the public by appointment.

The four main pillars that support the structure of Matrimandir, and carry the Inner Chamber, have been set at the four main directions of the compass. These four pillars are symbolic of the four aspects of the mother as described by Sri Aurobindo, and are named after these four aspects.

Four great Aspects of the Mother, four of her leading Powers and Personalities have stood in front in her guidance of this Universe and in her dealings with the terrestrial play[1]

NameSymbolism
Maheswari (south pillar)"...her personality of calm wideness and comprehending wisdom and tranquil benignity and inexhaustible compassion and sovereign and surpassing majesty and all-ruling greatness".[1]
Mahakali (north pillar)"...her power of splendid strength and irresistible passion, her warrior mood, her overwhelming will, her impetuous swiftness and world-shaking force".[1]
Mahalakshmi (east pillar)"...vivid and sweet and wonderful with her deep secret of beauty and harmony and fine rhythm, her intricate and subtle opulence, her compelling attraction and captivating grace".[1]
Mahasaraswathi (west pillar)"...equipped with her close and profound capacity of intimate knowledge and careful flawless work and quiet and exact perfection in all things".[1]
  • Matrimandir and the banyan tree, the centre of Auroville
    Matrimandir and the banyan tree, the centre of Auroville
  • The Matrimandir in Auroville, Tamil Nadu, India
    The Matrimandir in Auroville, Tamil Nadu, India
  • The golden discs that build up the Matrimandir dome
    The golden discs that build up the Matrimandir dome

References
  1. Aurobindo, Sri. The Mother p36-37 (Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, 1987, ISBN 81-7058-059-5)
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