First Matrimandir test pond completed

In a group work that for some people was reminiscent of the Matrimandir concretings of the past, the lining of the first of the six tests ponds of the Matrimandir [see AVToday September 2014] was completed early November, just before the monsoon rains. The import of the geotextile fabric and compacted clay from Germany was delayed for about 6 weeks, as these materials were unusual for the customs inspectors and there were also political strikes and public holidays.

With threatening monsoon clouds drifting in, the unloading and laying of the ten centimeters thick clay slabs, each weighing about 80 kgs, was done under the guidance of two engineers from Germany. A vibrator machine then ‘kneaded’ all the joints between the slabs, causing them to form a single continuous, waterproof layer of clay. The clay layer was subsequently covered by another thin geotextile layer to protect the clay from abrasion from above, and a thick layer of granite stone chips to protect it from burrowing crabs. One hour after finishing, the Auroville area was gifted with a tremendous downpour of rain, the first of the winter monsoon season.