Auroville

In Pondycherry you can rent a "tuk-tuk" to reach Auroville, several miles north. It is not easy to reach by bus because its inhabitants keep it off the beaten path. It is an international coexistence project which aims to overcome racial, religious and political divisions, and live together in peace and harmony with other human beings. It has a specific political regime (although part of India) and can be freely visited, but to be a citizen you must pass a trial period that may last a year. It's a fairly organized kind of commune based on the philosophy of the famous yogi Sri Aurobindo. One of his most fervent followers known is as "Mother".