2 May 2001, Covai, Tamil Nadu
Between the hours of eleven in the morning and one in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 2nd of May, 2001, Amma consecrated a new Brahmasthanam temple at the new ashram in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, the southern state neighbouring Her home state of Kerala.
At Mananthavadi just over two months ago, the ceremonies were on two consecutive days, but here She performed them in less than three hours. A crowd of over eight thousand had gathered to be a part of this very holy event. Going first to the small temporary structure at the crest of the temple roof, Mother performed the Stupika pratishta. As always, birds seemed drawn to soar above the temple during the ceremony:(it is considered to be an auspicious sign) first a single large eagle circled; then it was joined by two others, and the three inscribed a triangle directly above Mother. By the end, about ten birds had gathered and were soaring in an upward spiral. One wonders what it is these sensitive creatures are experiencing!
After the Stupika Pratishta, Mother descended and immediately entered the temple, where first She prepared the ‘peetham’ the base where the four-sided idol (representing the unity underlying the diverse names and forms) would be placed. After the idol was carried inside, and the doors were closed, the crowd outside chanted “Om Shiva Shaktyaikya Roopinyai Namaha” until the doors again opened, and Mother first did an arathi to the idol, and then performed the abhishekam (pouring of pots of consecrated water over the idol). Finally Mother stepped back and the swamis also performed an arati to both Mother and the idol.
The ceremonies concluded, Mother left the temple, going to Her room only long enough to change Her dress. Immediately She returned to the stage and spoke to the people.The real pratishta, She told them, occurs within our hearts, when we enshrine God there.
Her satsang complete, Mother then led bhajans, and then proceeded to give darshan to the massive crowd. She left the stage only after 5:45 in the afternoon, and returned for the evening program (satsang, bhajans and darshan again) by 7:30 p.m. It was a full day, and night, for the night darshan finished only at 4:45 the next morning!