For the last several years, BHARAT NIVAS has been serving the physical and cultural necessities of the community of Auroville as a whole.

Fostering these activities has always been seen by the Bharat Nivas group as its dayitva, our commitment to the ideals of Auroville in the light of Indian ethos and culture. Now that Auroville is growing and as the new infrastructure of buildings is available for more permanent spaces for these services and units, Bharat Nivas has some more breathing space as well, as it readies itself in renewed purpose to play the role of Indian Pavilion as envisioned by the Mother.

Bharat Nivas is committed to playing a role of catalyst in the life of the Auroville community, as part of the International Zone of Auroville, where the local, bioregional, national and the international dimension of its work will find its space.
History and Conception
The Pavilion of India, Bharat Nivas, in Auroville’s International Zone, was the second great development that The Mother undertook in July 1971. Earlier in the year, she had set in motion the work on Auroville’s soul centre, the Matrimandir.

It was an all-India competition that led to the selected design of India’s Pavilion. She had launched a national competition, inviting architects from all corners of India to come up with a design. The final model of Mr. Chakrapani of Chennai, won the first prize and The Mother selected this model. A study of the original layout and design plans demonstrates clearly the physical size as well as the intended scope of Bharat Nivas. It appears as the anchor and hub of the other cultural pavilions yet to come.
Moving Towards Completion
From Mother’s recorded conversations what emerges is the deep significance she attached to the material contribution of India’s Government in the building of India’s pavilion but also the Government of India’s continued participation in its further growth and action. Bharat Nivas was intended to become a model centre where that which is to be learned from India’s glorious past would be presented, even as it would offer a living experience of Sri Aurobindo’s vision of India’s future which has been so comprehensively delineated in his 15th August 1947 public message to the newly independent country.

None of the original buildings could be completed. For many years these large structures lay half built. Yet, in spite of their largely unfinished conditions, for more than 2 decades, these buildings served Auroville’s organising bodies as the only available office sites. As each of these groups and institutions vacated Bharat Nivas to shift to their permanent homes, it has become possible to attempt a recreation of a little of The Mother’s original intention for India’s pavilion. Ever since the passing of the Auroville Act in Parliament, it has been the generous support of the Government of India that has helped to bring Bharat Nivas to its present shape. Today there is a visible acceleration towards completion.

Below are the various units of Bharat Nivas – Pavilion of India:
Sri Aurobindo Auditorium
Kala Kendra Gallery: Centre for Visual Arts
The Sri Aurobindo Centre for Studies… India and the World
Kalakendra Reception Office for Visiting Groups
Sri Aurobindo World Centre for Human Unity (SAWCHU)
India Space
Guest Houses
Eateries