In early October, a significant and joy-filled milestone was reached at the Park of Unity: work officially began on the Garden of Harmony, the eleventh of the twelve Matrimandir Gardens. This moment marks the continuation of a long, evolutionary process that has unfolded over decades—guided by The Mother’s vision, sustained by dedicated teams, and supported by well-wishers around the world.

A Joyous Beginning

In the months leading up to the start of work, the garden design team, together with the Matrimandir construction team, refined the technical details of the Garden of Harmony. The first on-site activity began with the marking of the design layout directly on the ground. Today, visitors will see an array of short steel rods rising from the soil, mapping the contours of the central water body and pathway that will give the garden its distinct geometry.

The next phase involves a shallow excavation to reveal and reroute twenty-year-old underground irrigation pipes. This necessary step will make way for the water feature that lies at the heart of the Garden of Harmony. The commencement of this activity was received with great joy—an auspicious beginning for a space dedicated to unity, peace, and balance.

Progress in the Garden of Youth

Adjacent to the Garden of Harmony, significant work has also taken place in the Garden of Youth. Excavation for the new underground drive-in storeroom has been completed, and preparations are now underway for the concrete flooring. Together, these developments reflect a growing momentum in the Gardens—an energy that is steadily building as we move toward completing all twelve Gardens by 21 February 2028, The Mother’s 150th birth anniversary.

A recent drone photograph highlights the location of the underground storeroom in the Garden of Youth and the plot where the Garden of Harmony will take shape. Construction activity is also visible in the Garden of Utility, situated between the completed Gardens of Wealth and Progress.

The Evolving History of the Matrimandir Gardens

The creation of the Matrimandir Gardens has unfolded over more than two decades, progressing through several distinct phases:

2008–2014: The First Gardens Take Shape

Following the completion of the Matrimandir building in 2008, attention turned toward manifesting The Mother’s vision for the twelve Gardens. For years, the Matrimandir Nursery—established in 1971—had been cultivating the vast variety of plants and shrubs required for the spiritual and symbolic landscape.

Later in 2008, the community agreed to begin with the Garden of Unity, using the design created by architect Roger Anger during his final years. At the same time, a separate team developed designs for the first three Gardens: Existence, Consciousness, and Bliss, which were constructed between 2009 and 2014.

2015–2018: A New Design Vision

A second team prepared the master model for the remaining nine Gardens, which was shared publicly in 2015. With community support, construction of the Garden of Progress began in 2017 and was completed in time for Auroville’s 50th anniversary in 2018.

2019–2022: The Garden of the Unexpected

Next came the large and intricate Garden of the Unexpected, comprising four interconnected gardens on the western edge of the Park of Unity. Through a collaborative, community-wide design process, a final concept was chosen and executed between 2019 and 2022.

2021–2022: Gardens Near the Banyan Tree

A call for design proposals was then sent across India for the Gardens of Life, Power, and Wealth. An international expert panel selected a young design team from North India to bring to life the Gardens of Life and Power, both completed by 2022.

2024–2025: Continuing the Vision

The Garden of Light was completed by 15 August 2024, followed by the Garden of Wealth on 21 February 2025. Work on the Garden of Utility is ongoing, with completion expected in early 2026.

Now, the Garden of Harmony has begun—and soon, attention will turn to the twelfth and final Garden: the Garden of Perfection. The aspiration is strong to bring this garden into manifestation at the earliest.

A Growing Momentum

As work intensifies across the Park of Unity, one can sense a rising force—an inner push, as though the Gardens themselves are eager to emerge as luminous expressions at the heart of Auroville. Worldwide, garden lovers, devotees, and friends of The Mother are stepping forward, offering support and encouragement as the vision unfolds.

The beginning of the Garden of Harmony carries symbolic power. In today’s world—marked by fragmentation, turbulence, and conflict—the need for harmony has never been more profound. This garden arrives as a timely reminder of the deeper truth The Mother envisioned: unity in diversity, peace in action, beauty in manifestation.