Our effort has been to open the space on the farm for learning agriculture as well as coming into a deeper contact with the land and oneself. We firmly believe the farm to be a site for Integral Education, with ample opportunities for development of the physical, vital, mental, spiritual, as well as the psychic. These are the reflections from some of our past volunteers showing the potential and possibilities of this work.
Our effort has been to open the space on the farm for learning agriculture as well as coming into a deeper contact with the land and oneself. We firmly believe the farm to be a site for Integral Education, with ample opportunities for development of the physical, vital, mental, spiritual, as well as the psychic. These are the reflections from some of our past volunteers showing the potential and possibilities of this work.
My time at Auroorchard was a deeply valuable experience. I find it incredibly important that we spend time on the land – growing, preserving and innovating with food and Auroorchard provides that opportunity! I found the Auroorchard to be a living lab, where people can execute projects and research that can serve the multitude of projects on the farm, from regenerative farming to cultural paradigm shifts to education.
Thanks to Anshul, Auroorchard takes a holistic approach to food farming, which is essential in both local and global food transitions that we desperately need. I hope the farm can grow, evolve and thrive for many years ahead.
AuroOrchard has left my heart full, thanks to the open-hearted people who work there and the mesmerizing beauty of the farm itself. It has been a true pleasure documenting the life of AuroOrchard and diving into the techniques of the natural way of farming. I feel deeply grateful for having been a part of the farm, even for a short period of time.
I stayed at the farm for a week, and the experience truly stayed with me. I had zero background in farming, yet everyone there welcomed me with warmth and patiently taught me the basics. Every day brought a new learning — not just about farming practices, but about people, their journeys, and the stories they shared while we worked together. Even in that one week, I felt a deep connection to the people and the sense of community on the farm. It was a meaningful and memorable experience.
I worked at AuroOrchard for a month, really it’s a wonderful experience to me and I gained a lot of knowledge from the farm.And now I am implementing the learnings at my place. And the people who are there are great and provided a lot to me. And everyone who is interested in farming should visit this place.
It was amazing volunteering at AuroOrchard. Volunteering brought new learnings about farming, a nourishing breakfast and company of like minded fellows from different walks of life. Anshul used to solve my doubts and was great at doing thought experiments. Guided farm walk also helped a lot. I thoroughly enjoyed being at the farm. I saw so many birds I had not even known and made some great friends too. Thanks again for the opportunity !
It’s a simple truth that AuroOrchard made me feel far more deeply than I ever had before. My weeks at AuroOrchard showed me how every role, no matter how small or humble, becomes meaningful when directed toward a shared purpose: growing food for the community in the most natural and conscious way possible.
During my stay, I listened to locals, Aurovilians, volunteers, travellers and tourists. Everyone carried a fragment of the larger story: a story shaped by the vision of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo, rooted in inner evolution, collective harmony, and the aspiration to manifest a more conscious world. Auroville itself is built on this experiment of human unity, and AuroOrchard reflects that ideal in the soil, the sweat, and the spirit of everyday work.
The people I met now long-standing acquaintances and friends were bound not by background but by shared values. Together we watched sunrises on days that began in quiet reflection and sunsets that carried the satisfaction of honest labour. Even the pre-monsoon showers felt like a blessing, softening the earth we were working to nurture.
We weeded, mulched, composted, pruned Malabar spinach. Simple tasks, yet profoundly grounding. Anshul’s guidance, the helpfulness of every volunteer and worker contributed in their own way. And that’s the beauty of the place: there is space for all, for every profession, every stage of life, every wandering soul seeking meaning or direction.
Volunteering here isn’t just service; it is a form of education. You learn what it truly takes to bring food to a table. You learn to value every grain, every leaf, and the labour behind it. You learn the quiet art of not wasting. You learn the power of a community that gives because giving is part of living. Not everyone can give time, not everyone can give resources—but each of us can give something. And each offering, however small, helps sustain spaces like AuroOrchard spaces that heal the earth, and in many ways, heal us too.
If you ever wish to reconnect with the essentials nature, community, purpose let Auroville hold you for a while. And let AuroOrchard put your hands back into the soil. It has a way of changing you, gently, irrevocably.
AuroOrchard means everything to us because it’s where we met. Living together for a love of health, AuroOrchard couldn’t have been a more profound farm to put our feet, hands, heart & mind in all things Nature. With Anshul at the helm and incredibly kindred volunteer souls, this place is a precious land for its people and its produce. All our knowledge and aspiration towards growing organic ecosystems, stem from this sacred land in Auroville. We are thankful to have met there, grown there and wish them the benefit of reaping rewards for the honest and sincere labor of love that goes on in AuroOrchard.
I had a wonderful time volunteering at Auroorchard. I gained valuable insight, learning, and experience about both community and farming. Working with the arugula beds was especially humbling—it made me appreciate how much effort and attention go into the stages of growing our food, especially when it’s done organically. The challenges, the small and big experiments in trying new ways to farm while staying true to organic principles, and the people—their stories, dedication, and spirit—were all deeply inspiring. Sharing breakfast every morning with the other volunteers, exchanging stories, and building a sense of community made the experience even more memorable. If I get the chance, I would love to go back and volunteer again.
The experience at Auroorchard taught me what it truly means to live in harmony with nature. I felt how humans, other living beings, and plants are all part of the same cycle. I want to carry that awareness into the way I live moving forward.
I’ve spent my entire life in the city, so Auroorchard was a breath of fresh air – my first taste of farm life. For 3 months, I was provided with a comfy place to stay, wholesome food, and – most precious of all – the chance to learn. Every day dawned as a fresh, new adventure. I have never before attempted to put this experience into words as they simply won’t do justice. For many of us, there’s a tendency to look at anything in contrast to perfection i.e. focus on what’s lacking, critique and suggest changes. In schools, as engineers we are trained to strengthen this attitude – improve, strive to create a better world. Though essential, by an overdose of such thought – we risk overlooking the immense sense of what’s already here. Working on the farm, I realized the background and work upon which the farm exists. The intentions, people, labour & moments – who lie invisible to my eyes of the present. Over the months, I developed an immense uncoveyable gratitude which has left a lasting impact on my character.
Working peacefully close to nature – observing the ants, birds, bees, decomposition, growth, the flowing wind, the moist earth, your own relation to everything around – you sense that you exist not independently but enmeshed within a grand interconnected something. This energy of Auroorchard naturally inspires a worldview that we are all part of a bigger whole, working together towards a larger purpose. Such a view cultivates a sense of unity & unselfishness, allowing us to see beyond our individual narratives. This energy is felt all around Auroville.
I came to realize that whatever we see around – humans, buildings, plastic, computers all will eventually become the soil. Names, ego’s, stories, achievements, failures – all forgotten. The soil is a reminder of the impermanence of life. Another thing I learnt is that human knowledge about farming is still very little. There’s a vast expanse of knowledge waiting to be uncovered. The farm, with its openness to experimentation, has the potential to be a place of discovery. My first task on the farm was weeding – a repetitive task which could easily feel mundane. However, inspired by the immense beauty around me, every weed felt like a new one, and I found myself enjoying the work.
Many days at the farm were tough but nature guided me with the right lessons. The farm is more beautiful than any artwork, and sitting here, one can imbibe more insight than from a hundred books. The eager-to-grow papaya trees and the patient, vibrant avocado trees have yielded the most divine fruit I’ve ever tasted. I’ve witnessed the growth not just of plants but of humans on the farm. Auroorchard has been my guru, a gift, an extraordinary spiritual journey.
It’s a great place to see integration of various foods from veg, fruits, greens and poultry and it amazes me to see so many experiments still happening and constant urge to keep improving and learning.
I spent a rejuvenating week volunteering at AuroOrchard this past March, trading my corporate routine for farm life. I learned a few basics of farming given my limited time there alongside an incredible community. Waking up early isn’t usually my thing, but here, it provided a genuine burst of new energy. The warmth of the people and the peaceful natural setting were a much-needed break from the city’s craziness. I can’t wait to visit again!
I spent 15 days volunteering at AuroOrchard. The farm had a very old and wonderful diversity of trees. There are many vegetable beds and each of these beds are labelled and managed well. Most of the farm is sustainable, as they don’t take any inputs from outside. I ate my first egg fruit here on the farm. Everyday I used to eat fresh papayas harvested from different orchards in the farm. Anshul and his team have good knowledge and planning for the farm. Customers always get fresh harvest, which is harvested in the morning on the date of delivery.
Working at AuroOrchard has been one of the most grounding experiences of my time in Auroville. My favourite part of the farm work was weeding 🙂 – it felt so satisfying to make space for the vegetable plants (which somehow made space in my mind, too), and it kept me close to the soil where I could observe all the little creatures that went about their day. I also loved setting up the space under the tree for breakfast – flowers being the primary décor.I made a few solid friendships there, too. I found that working alongside another volunteer with a common sense of purpose, helped me develop meaningful bonds more organically than meeting at a café for chai. There is something deeply fulfilling about watching simple, honest efforts grow into real and nourishing results. It reminded me how such modest work can bring so much peace.
I had the opportunity to visit and stay at the AuroOrchard for 10 days in May of 2025. It was one of the most refreshing, relaxing and peaceful experiences I have ever had.
Life on the farm is very simple. When I say simple, I mean basic necessities only. Regardless, I loved it. It felt like going off the grind even though we had the internet, escaping regular life and living with nature without safety being a concern.
The farm itself is beautiful, well maintained and clean. They were growing and harvesting brinjal and beans when I was there. They also had a lot of trees. Mangoes, pomelo, soursop, papaya, ice-apple, coconut and lemons to mention a few and many more.
The farming techniques used at the farm are very different from commercial farming. Not only did I enjoy my time there I also learned a lot about organic farming. I loved waking up early in the morning to the fresh crisp air and birds chirping. The morning sun was a delight but the mid morning sun, not so much.
Work was from 7A.M to 12P.M. We got a break around 9:30A.M when the volunteers were served vegan food with ingredients grown on the farm. It was a healthy and nutritious south Indian cuisine breakfast. Work on the farm was not stressful, we were allowed to work at our own pace as long as we got the work finished. Everyone else worked well together, co-operated and helped each other out. It was a pleasure to get to know all of them.
I hope to visit again with my family sometime in the future. Thank AuroOrchard for the unforgettable experience.
My name is Lucile, I’m 28, I’m from France and I had the chance to grow up in the countryside, surrounded by nature and eating organic products from my parent’s garden. I lost this close connection with nature during my studies, as I had to move and live in big cities. I left my apartment before coming to India and hope to find a land near the French Pyrenees when I return, where I can settle down and start gardening again. This is why I am here; to reconnect with agriculture and learn from the farmers of AuroOrchard.
Working at Auroorchard meant returning to a slower, more organic, healthier rhythm taking care of yourself through a full-body physical activity that is like a 3-in-1 : taking care of your body, your mind, and the earth.
Auroorchard is also a great place to meet people. The atmosphere is friendly and pressure-free. Everyone contributes in their own way according to their own abilities and wishes. You have time to ask questions, learn and quickly create friendships with people who share common values. It is clearly a great place for self-inquiery thanks to the global atmosphere and the benevolent people. Every flower would have his or her own space to bloom according to his or her own characteristics…
Step by step, currently under the guidance of Anshul and with the collaboration and help of workers and volunteers, Auroorchard continues to evolve, experiment, and improve, with care to practice a mindful agriculture, respectful of nature and our health. With warm memories and deep gratitude for this lifetime experience.
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AuroOrchard is certified organic by the Tamil Nadu Organic Certification (ORG/SC/1906/001683) Department accredited by APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority), New Delhi, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
AuroOrchard Poultry is recognised under the Certified Humane Program, a globally recognised, independent, international auditing body dedicated to creating a more humane world for farm animals.
