Welcome to Sacred Groves!

Sacred Groves is a community in Auroville, India. We strive continually to bring down the barriers between the earth and the now toxic building processes employed in modern times. We believe in an ecologically balanced and sustainable model of construction and have been researching on the endless possiblities in ecological development since our conception. Sacred Groves has a unique perspective to look at any problems faced by us during construction, we strive to achieve the perfect balance between the building and its ecological surroundings. The work at Sacred groves is majorly powered by volunteers and Architectural interns and some hired labour from the neighbouring villages. While creating jobs for the locals, we also help Architects and students of Architecture better understand the materials we work with and empower them to be able to bring their wonderful ideas to life.

We offer hands-on Workshops on varied construction techniques taught by our experienced faculty. All our Workshops are open to all (for now) and do not require for the participants to have construction training before-hand. look at the Workshops section for more details.

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Upcoming Workshops:

2 DAYS INTENSIVE HANDS-ON ” ALL ABOUT LIME ”  

Sacred Groves is organizing a 2 day intensive hands-on  “All about Lime” from 09-10 December 2022 open to all.

This 2 day intensive Workshop focuses on building with cost efficient, environment-friendly and sustainable building material, especially appropriate for our climate with the world’s oldest and widely used building material, Lime.

You can learn how to identify different properties of lime, how to procure it, prepare it and learn different ways of using it right from plastering to achieving fine finishes

Day 01

09:30-10:30 Breakfast
10:30-11:30 Introduction to the works, philosophy and site tour of Sacred Groves
11:30-13:30 Introduction to Lime, Preparation of Lime mortar in the Lime Chakki
13:30-14:30 Lunch Break
14:30-16:30 Preparation of  Araish & Lohi Plaster and application of base coat

Day 02

09:30-10:30 Breakfast
10:30-13:30 Application of Araish and Lohi Plaster
13:30-14:30 Lunch Break

14:30-15:30 Plastering with lime – Scratch coat, base coat and Final Coat
15:30-16:30 Preparation and Application of Limewash

List of Tasks during the workshop

1 Preparation of Lime Mortar in the Lime Chakki
2 Plastering with lime – Scratch coat, base coat and Final Coat
3 Preparation & Application of Fine Lime plasters – Araish & Lohi
4 Lime wash

Note:

for local commute in Auroville, you may hire a bicycle from the visitor’s Centre Cycle Kiosk or rent mopeds or Scooters from Local vendors.

Itinerary is subject to change based on bookings /availabilities/weather conditions. We shall keep you informed.

Cost of the Workshop: Rs.4500
(Inclusive of Material Costs, Breakfast, Lunch, refreshments and taxes)

6% off For buddy bookings of minimum 3 ppl
10% off for Group Bookings of more than 5 ppl

Accommodation:  We are not providing accommodation, however we can suggest you at nearby guest houses  (would roughly cost you around Rs 350-400/day 2 sharing)

Register here

in case of any queries, please feel free to contact us at 9626678609 or email us at sacredgroves@auroville.org.in

Reach Us:

Feel free to contact us – for work, Internships & volunteering, Workshop enquiries or to share any ideas or information with the Sacred Groves Project in any way you want!

We can also arrange customized workshops for large groups and institutions. We could teach you the different earth building techniques and natural plasters

Or just email us at – sacredgroves@auroville.org.in