History of Savitri Bhavan

History of Savitri Bhavan, presented by architect Helmut

Banyan Tree

Late 1980s: A group of Aurovilians met regularly to read Savitri under the banyan tree at the centre of Auroville

 Auroville Savitri Study Circle

1994 November 24 : The Auroville Savitri Study Circle got officially established at the initiative of Shri Suresh Dey, Secretary of the Auroville Foundation. The circle met weekly in different locations, and started inviting guest speakers to give talks and share their insights

Fundation Stone by Dr. Nirodbaran of Sri Aurobindo Ashram

1995 November 24 : Foundation stone for the Savitri Bhavan complex laid by Dr. Nirodbaran, Sri Aurobindo’s close disciple and scribe of Savitri during the later stages of its composition

Savitri Bhavan Model Helmut with Savitri Bhavan Model

1996 November 24 : Presentation of Master Plan and Model for the Savitri Bhavan complex by architect Helmut

Fundraising effort in Gujarat for Phase 1 building

1998 May : Fundraising effort in Gujarat for Phase 1 building, arranged by Dr. Beena Naik and family of Navsari

Talk by Professor Arabinda Basu on Savitri

1998 August 9 : Inauguration of temporary keet shelter with a talk by Professor Arabinda Basu on Savitri

Invocation

1998 November  24 : Appearance of the first issue of Invocation: a journal of study notes on Savitri

1998 December 13 : First brick ceremony for Phase 1 building by Dr.Nirodbaran

Nirod Da

1999 August 8 : Inauguration of Phase 1 building, the first permanent structure in the Savitri Bhavan Complex, by Nirodbaran

Nirod Da Class

1999 August 8: Nirodbaran's first class in the new permanent structure of the Savitri Bhavan Complex. The building became the base for an ever-expanding programme of activities

Huta at Savitri Bhavan

2001 June 11 : A series of 472 paintings by Huta, created under the Mother’s guidance from 1961 to 1966, entitled Meditations on Savitri, were entrusted to Savitri Bhavan by the painter, with an extensive collection of other related materials

2003 November 24 : First brick ceremony for Phase 2 Square Hall

Prarthana 1st Issue

2004 February 21 : Publication of the first issue of Prarthana, a journal of study notes on Savitri in Tamil

Opening Ceremony of Phase 2 Hall

Nirodbaran’s last visit to Savitri Bhavan

2004 November 21 : Opening Ceremony of Phase 2 Hall; Nirodbaran’s last visit to Savitri Bhavan

The opening of the first module of the Main Building

The opening of the first module of the Main Building by Dr.Karan Singh

2006 September 29: The opening of the first module of the Main Building by Dr. Karan Singh, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Auroville Foundation. From April 2005 to April 2008 the main building was constructed thanks to a grant from the Government of India under the SAIIER Development Scheme for the provision of educational buildings in Auroville

Installation of Sri Aurobindo’s statue

2008 February 21: Installation of Sri Aurobindo’s statue, a gift to Auroville from the Auroville Foundation

2008 February 29 : Opening of the second module of the Main Building including the Picture Gallery

2008 March 30 : Dedication of Sri Aurobindo statue and the second module of the Main Building by Dr. Karan Singh

2010 March 29 :  First brick ceremony for construction of the Savitri Hostel

Savitri Hostel Launch

2012 September 1 : Inauguration of the Savitri Hostel

2015 November 24 : First brick ceremony for the construction of Sangam Hall

Savitri Study Circle at Sangam Hall

2017 February 19 : Dr.Ananda Reddy officially opened the Sangam Hall before giving the 7th Dr.M.V.Nadkarni Memorial Lecture.

2017 February 21 : First brick ceremony of the extension of Picture Gallery dedicated to displaying the ‘Meditations on Savitri’ paintings.

PM Narendra Modi at Savitri Bhavan

2018 February 25: Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit

Picture Gallery Launch at Savitri Bhavan

2018 June 21 : Inauguration of extension of Picture Gallery. This inauguration also marked the completion of the construction of the Savitri Bhavan complex.