Dawnfire celebrations at Auroville on I-Day
The Hindu
Auroville celebrates Sri Aurobindo's birth anniversary and Independence Day with dawnfire communion, meditation, and spiritual gatherings.
A dawnfire communion and deep meditation marked Auroville’s twin celebration of 152nd birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo and the nation’s 78th Independence Day.
Scores of Aurovilians were joined by visitors in the gathering at the amphitheatre of the Matrimandir with flowers and lamps arranged in patterns, the crackling flame and recordings of prayers serving the setting for spiritual centering and cleansing of the soul.
For the community in Auroville, which was founded in 1968 by The Mother, spiritual associate of Sri Aurobindo, it presented an occasion to rededicate themselves to her words: “Beyond words, above thoughts the flame of an intense aspiration must always burn, steady and bright.”
The Garden of Light, a landscaping project at the Matrimandir with pebbles and quartz symbolising “the light of purified power solely consecrated to the divine” was unveiled as an offering to Sri Aurobindo.
Later, K. Swarnambika, deputy secretary of Auroville Foundation, hoisted the national flag. This was followed by a gathering at the Bharat Nivas led by Janmejay, trustee.
Cinema Paradiso in Auroville launched a special mini-series, starting with Akashaditya Lama’s film Bengal 1947.
Meanwhile, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in the city also saw a steady stream of devotees and visitors from all corners of the country..