Auroville: Consecration with water sourced from across the world

On February 28, 1968, youth representatives drawn from across the nation and 124 countries marked the inauguration of Auroville by depositing a handful of earth in an urn. Now, as part of the golden jubilee celebrations, another ceremony, described as a ‘sister ceremony’ has been planned. 

This time, instead of sand the ceremony will see water from over 200 sources across the globe being poured into a golden disc, also at the heart of the Matrimandir Amphitheatre. 

According to the organisers, “Water is the source of life and a cause of strife, but most of all a uniting element. All life needs water. It flows across all borders. Waters from the seven sacred rivers of the country as well as the source of the Nile, the Dead Sea, and waters from rivers, lakes, springs and seas of the world over will flow into one harmonious pool, symbolising the oneness of life on Earth, and our vision of a unified humanity.”

Having commenced with earth from all over the world, the idea of the water ceremony has been built on Sri Aurobindo’s observation, “Water is the symbol of consciousness or plane.” 

In fact, based on the appeal by the organisers to Aurovillians, new comers, guests, visitors and friends of Auroville from different parts of the world to bring a little water from a lake, river or spring, amounting between 500 ml to 1000 ml, many samples have arrived from all over the globe. 

As per the schedule, the celebrations will begin on the last date of February with a bonfire and meditation at 4.30 am. The water  ceremony will begin at 6 am, and last approximately till 6.45 am.