11 Mar 2009, Amritapuri

At the end of darshan, one devotee came to Amma with a tray full of colours to celebrate Holi.The devotee dabbed Amma’s cheek with a little red.  A few others  joined too, smearing Amma’s face with different colours.  Amma was beaming with joy with a mischievous smile.
Amma started smearing the faces of [...]

Sivaratri Celebrations, 23 February 2009 — Amritapuri
“God is always awake within us, but we are sound asleep,” Amma said. “As a result, we are unable to experience his presence.” It was almost 2:00 in the morning—half way through the traditional night-long vigil and fast of Sivaratri. Amma then told everyone assembled that holidays like Sivaratri [...]

12 September 2008 — Amritapuri
With the coming of Tiru Onam, thousands of people came to Amritapuri in order to celebrate. The bhajan hall was filled with smiling people dressed in new clothes. The feeling of celebration was in the air.
Amma came to the dais to the sounds of panchavadyam around 11:00 am. After offering her [...]

Holi, also known as Holika or Holikotsava, is an extremely popular festival of India. Marked by play and gaiety, it is common to all sections of society. This festival is very ancient. Known originally as ‘Holika’, it has been mentioned in very early religious works such as Jaimini’s Purva mimamsa-sutras and Kathaka grhya sutras. It [...]

In ancient times, there was an extremely powerful king by the name of Mahabali; he ruled the three worlds. He was a righteous and generous king. King Mahabali’s one major flaw, which marred his spiritual stature, was the arrogance he felt when giving in charity to his subjects. He was very proud of the fact [...]