Inner Chamber

The January 2025 issue of Auroville Today focused on the aftermath of Cyclone Fengal, which breached the Lego block dam separating sections 1 and 2 of the Matrimandir Lake.

Ms. Dena Merriam, who has been elected the Chairperson of the Auroville International Advisory Council, is the founder and coordinator of the Global Peace Initiative for Women (GPIW), an international network of spiritual and community leaders that builds interfaith understanding and develops leadership in young community leaders concerning climate change.

Fifty years ago the Mother described her visions of the Inner Chamber of the Matrimandir. A seed was planted, a Divine impetus was sent forth… The Lotus that is the Matrimandir would soon begin its slow emergence from the deep red earth of Auroville.

Over the years, Auroville has received much support from outside.

On December 23rd, Peggy Ann Pfaff passed away in her daughter Lila’s home in Fraternity at the age of 91. Both Lila and her sister Laura, who had come over from the USA, were with her in the moment of transition.

Let the Matrimandir be the living symbol of Auroville’s aspiration for the Divine. - The Mother In the 300-page book What is the Matrimandir: the most mysterious monument of modern times, author Iris Gaartz presents the personal experiences of 31 residents and guests of Auroville in visiting this building.

That the visit of Sri Narendra Modi would cause a lot of commotion was to be expected. Just how much became clear by the middle of January, when the Aurovilians found out that access to many roads was blocked, diverting them to dusty bypasses.

The second part of the interview with Piero Cicionesi has been released. Both parts have been posted online and can be seen at YouTube. The interviews record for future generations the true history of the construction of the Inner Chamber, from Udar’s first drawing under the direct instructions of the Mother, to the installation of the Crystal.

On August 28th, the one hour film The Matrimandir: Honouring Piero Cinconeci (Part 1) was shown in Cinema Paradiso. The film is about Piero’s work for the Matrimandir which, say the film makers, would never have been built without his quiet and unceasing efforts, day after day, for twenty five years.

The first part of a film The Matrimandir: Honouring Piero Cicionesi was shown at Cinema Paradiso on August 28th. The film, says its maker François Gautier, shows the true story of the Matrimandir, from the beginning till its completion, which, he writes, “would never have been built without Piero’s quiet and unceasing efforts, day after day, for twenty five years.