The Solar Kitchen and Prosperity area began with the construction of the Solar Kitchen in the late 90's, where Aurovilians would gather for lunch; on its roof soon a small cafeteria (now evolved into “La Terrace”, a restaurant on its own) and the Auroville Guest Service were created.

It became easily a meeting point for Aurovilians, Newcomers and Guests; soon other activities and buildings grew up in the area:

PTDC – Pour Tous Distribution Centre, the cooperative food service by Aurovilians, Newcomers and Volunteers

Free Store – Where everything is free: clothes, books, DVDs, toys, shoes, etc…

Nandini – The tailoring cooperative among Aurovilians and Newcomers

Prosperity Office and Service Link – logistic support of these activities

Food Link – Direct supply from Farms to community

Bicycle repair – handy quick repairs for our bicycles

Recycling area – everything is re-cycled here

Parking and battery vehicles recharge

More and more this area is becoming an informal meeting point, where Aurovilians converge for lunch, dinner, getting supplies from PTDC and FoodLink, visiting the Free Store and Nandini, eventually repairing their cycle, and it becomes a natural exchange of ideas, talks, friendships, and free diffusion of information.

An occasional street market happens in the open space in front of the area, which is also chosen by the Residents Assembly Service for collecting polls, opinions, feedback from the community about organizational and social issues.

If Matrimandir is the “Soul” of Auroville, and Town hall the “Head”, this area is most probably the “Belly” of Auroville….