Auroville - a different sort of community

I had gone last month to a place called Auroville. This is located in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. It is a pretty interesting concept. Read more about it here..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auroville
http://www.auroville.org/
Auroville is declared as a universal township that is constantly being built. It has a special legal status about which you can read more in the links above. Suffice it to say, the concept has a lot of converts, people who live in this township and people who visit frequently. I am actually neither of these, but still had a good impression when I was there. I am still not a convert, but can understand the sentiments of those who are.
The photograph above is of a big tree called the banyan tree. In Indian culture, the banyan tree has great significance. Because it covers a wide area, it has provided shade to travellers against the hot Indian summers for centuries.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banyan
The banyan is also the tree under which the Buddha is supposed to have gained enlightenment. In Auroville, the banyan tree represents a place to meditate and self-instrospect. It is a silent zone, and people are supposed to be silent under the tree. It forms part of the Matrimandir complex, the central zone of Auroville.