In search of Auroville’s very own Yeti

In Auroville during the lockdown, reports began to circulate about a strange human-size, monkey-like creature that appeared at night in Auroville. The creature was witnessed in Auroville’s residential area, leaping across rooftops and flitting through the forest and across paths - inadvertently causing accidents as stunned Aurovilians swerved their two-wheelers in disbelief.  When a diner at Neem Tree Café sighted the creature in the nearby trees, the subsequent panic caused a mass stampede, with at least two people sustaining broken bones. 

Descriptions by people who claim they have glimpsed the creature vary widely, which suggests that it ‘appears’ in different shapes to different people. When this correspondent dashed to Cinema Paradiso following a tip-off that the creature was sighted slipping out surreptiously as the end credits rolled on King Kong (the 1933 version), more than ten people gave dramatically different accounts. Some described him as a six-feet-tall monster covered in thick dark brown hair. (Descriptions always assumed a male.) Others describe a smaller creature with a human-like face and long hair, while others still have described him as wearing a mask like the comic book character, The Phantom. 

Two children claimed the creature had steel springs on his feet, which enabled him to jump effortlessly across buildings. Some suggested he wore sunglasses and a black astronaut’s helmet, while another eyewitness asserted she saw the monster gliding along the Crown on a fluoro green skateboard after midnight. Yet another suggested he may be an animatronic machine controlled by remote control, or even an extra-terrestrial. 

Man or machine, beast, friend or foe, he is undoubtedly a creature of darkness. “He vanished into thin air when I held a light up to him,” recounted AuroAte, who was startled by the creature while sleeping on her rooftop. Others have claimed they almost tumbled off their rooftops in a panic when awoken by cries of “The monkey man is here!” Yet others claimed that when they tried to approach the beast, he changed into a bird and took off into the skies with a mighty stroke of his wings.

While observers generally say he leaves no footprints, some large 

monkey-like footprints were recently found in the early morning in the Visitors’ Centre grounds. Cynics have suggested that this is a blatant attempt by certain elements to cash in on the monster’s existence and attract tourists to Auroville. Or, alternatively, to scare unwanted tourists away. 

The rumoured sightings continue to baffle authorities. An AuroYeti Task Force has been formed, which has been accepting dozens of distress calls. It has created an official AuroYeti Sighting Register to follow up on credible reports, and has released an artist’s impression drawing in the hope of catching the creature. Local police have filed a trespass case against the creature, painting it as a mixture of criminal, beast, and supernatural being. Over-zealous police have also mistakenly detained a couple of particularly hirsute Aurovilians, before quickly releasing them. In the meantime, additional Auroville security guards have been deployed across rooftops at night.

The task force is also launching a crack-down on rumour mongers and mischief-makers. “We’re concerned that this might be some big practical joke,” said task force member Auroskeptic, implying that ‘suggestible people’ were being manipulated with wild fantasies. “But we’re also conscious that it might be a mass delusion, which may turn into mass hysteria if it can’t be contained.”

Conspiracy theorists, however, are asserting that it is no delusion. They argue it is merely the latest ploy of a shadowy world government that creates fear in order to render people fit for easier manipulation. 

It’s also possible that the Hindu monkey god, Hanuman, has made his way into public conceptions and the collective unconscious, says Auroskeptic. Hanuman, with his brawny chest and large club, is depicted in mythology as being able to leap across rooftops and fly – similar characteristics to the AuroYeti. As a much-loved Hindu deity, Hanuman is the point of connection for Auroville teens who have started maintaining torch-light vigils throughout the city and forest. “We don’t want to hurt or catch him,” said teenager AuroElpis, “but rather to make friends and understand him. He hasn’t directly hurt anyone, and we want to keep him out of harm’s way, so that the authorities don’t lock him up. We’re gonna invite him to a rave at the Youth Centre, and –  if he’s a cool dancer –  we might even make a video that could go viral on Insta.” 

There are some concerns that the creature might be inspired by his viewing of King Kong climbing the Empire State Building , and may attempt to ascend Matrimandir at night. But is this merely an irrational fear of the unknown? A night guard at Matrimandir claims she saw the creature peacefully meditating under the banyan tree. Perhaps the creature has been drawn to Auroville’s peaceful and unifying ideals, and there is nothing to worry about after all? If Auroville aspires to unity in diversity, shouldn’t a hairy beast be included in this?