January 9 to February 21 2001, Allahabad, UP The Kumbha Mela of 2001 was held from January 9 to February 21. The shahi snan dates were January 14, 24 and 29, and the main bathing date was January 24. About 40 million people were estimated to participate in the holy event. The previous Kumbha Mela [Read more... click the article link above]

26 February 2001, reaching Mananthavadi Ashram It was shortly after seven in the evening; the sun had just set-or had it just risen on the little mountain town of Mananthavadi? Perhaps it had risen, to judge by the shine in the eyes of the thousands who had gathered on the grounds of the new Amrita [Read more... click the article link above]

26 February 2001, on the way to Mananthawadi What consternation among the devotees travelling on the North India Tour with Mother when She began passing out their lunch plates on the first day. For though She was reading the names on the plates, She was handing them out in random directions-rarely in the directions of [Read more... click the article link above]

Question: Isn’t it possible to reach the goal through proper study of the scriptures, without taking recourse in yama niyamas (the dos and don’ts for a spiritual seeker), meditation, selfless service, etc.? Amma: By studying the scriptures, we are able to understand the means by which we can realize God. From the scriptures we can [Read more... click the article link above]

February – March 2001, North India They say the hardest part of the Indian Tour is the travel. Long hours on buses, temperatures soaring as February slips into March and March turns into April, the dust and dirt and not enough chances to wash oneself or one’s clothes. But the irony is, the best part [Read more... click the article link above]

Question: Amma, in your ashram much importance is given to selfless service. But isn’t action an impediment to true Self-enquiry? Lalitha Amma: For a true Advaitin, nothing is different from the Self. The steps leading to a terrace are made of brick and cement. The terrace is also made of brick and cement. When you [Read more... click the article link above]

7 February 2001, Amritapuri At about 9 p.m. on the 7th of February 2001, special prayers were held in Amritapuri for the victims of the Gujarat earthquake and their families. In Amma’s divine presence, the ashram residents chanted the Holy Mother’s 108 names and the 8th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. Amma consoles a girl [Read more... click the article link above]