History

As the proper orientation of these two sketches is not mentioned, their orientation here may not be correct. Both may need to be rotated by 90o counter- clockwise.

Explanations of the reference numbers of the sketch describing the centre of the town:
The pagoda-shaped sketch (bottom right) would describe the “Pavilion of the Mother” which at that time was going to look like Kyoto’s Golden Temple – except for the shape of the roof. The two very large ovals at the centre would represent the lake.

The Mother’s Pavilion would be on the eastern part of the island. A point and two concentric circles would represent it (the two concentric circles could represent a smaller lake around it).

Huta’s house would be just next to it (to its north) – represented by one circle.

The other lines on the island may represent gardens, water bodies, cascades, pathways, etc.

One has access to the island by one bridge located on the west side. The small rectangle at the bottom left angle of the larger rectangle represents the house of the “Guardian of the Park” (as explained to Satprem two days earlier).

The four large circular areas in the four corners would represent areas planted with “huge trees”. These four parks would represent the four Powers of The Mother.

The “mountain with the fir-trees” (top left) would be represented at the top left (North West), outside the lake.

After describing the main points of her sketch of the town, Mother describes its centre area:
Ah! Now, the Mother’s Pavilion. This will be a separate island surrounded by a lake, tall trees, gardens with various kind of flowers.

I especially want the creepers of red hibiscus (Power) upon the outer dome of the Mother’s Pavilion. They will look like living jewels against the white marble.

There will be rockeries in Japanese style, varieties of cactus, small waterfalls, small pools with lilies, lotuses, small bridges, various kinds of fountains and marble statues – one of them will be Shiva in deep trance. From his matted hair flows the water like a fountain…

There will be only one entrance. I want precious, semi-precious and artificial stones to be paved from the gate to the Mother’s Pavilion in gradations, because they are full of meaning.

The Pavilion will be in white marble and will have three storeys.

The ground floor will be a huge marble hall. Nothing material is to be kept in it except an arrangement by which there will be a perpetual flame representing the Immortal Flame of the Supreme Truth.

This flame will burn in a lotus built in the centre of Sri Aurobindo’s symbol and my symbol combined in a design made of pure gold. The Supreme Truth will be invoked in it.

For the second floor, I do not know yet, but on the third floor there will be a terrace garden and from this top floor the whole of Auroville will be seen.

On the terrace, I would like to have carved marble seats with satin cushions – you know marble seats – you know, they carve peacocks, flowers and things like that in marble.

The Shrine must have a vast area – not like this (Mother takes her handkerchief in her palm and closes her hand), so small. Also there must be a silent zone. No vehicles should move in this area, there should be no noise of any kind.

The Park of Unity will be divided into twelve gardens, which will represent the Twelve Attributes of the Supreme Mother and her Four Powers.

In these gardens, I would like to have varieties of flowers – especially the different kinds of hibiscus – the Divine Consciousness.

On the other side, towards the boundary of the gardens, I wish to have a lake, huge trees like palms, pines, various types of ferns, neem, Indian cork trees, eucalyptus and many other beautiful big trees. They all represent Unity and Aspiration.

When the lake will be dug, all the soil will be collected on one side in order to make it look like a small mountain where there will be fir trees. You see, in future there will be snow.

Beneath each tall tree around the Mother’s Pavilion there would be small carved marble seats. People will meditate in the open and be one with the vastness of Mother Nature – the Mother of the multitude and Her Creation.

And you will be the guardian of the Mother’s Shrine. Your tiny house in the shape of a lotus bud will be built on the island very close to my house.

Look! All these letters of yours have started the Mother’s Shrine. I will explain to you more when I have spoken to the architect (Roger), who will come in September.