5 Sep 2025, Amritapuri Ashram – Onam Celebrations
Amritapuri overflowed with joy and devotion as Amma led the community in celebrating Onam, Kerala’s beloved harvest festival. For ten days leading up to the occasion, vibrant pookkalams—intricate floral decorations—adorned the ashram grounds, announcing the arrival of Onam.
On the final day of Tiruvonam, Amma was welcomed to the stage with the traditional pulikali (tiger dance) and a boat-race float. Most devotees and residents, including many from abroad, wore traditional Kerala attire. Dressed in kasavu mundu and red blouse, over 500 women who would later join together in the Thiruvathira dance.
Addressing the overflowing hall, Amma shared the deeper meaning of Onam:
“The very word Onam stirs a thousand sweet memories in the hearts of Malayalees all over the world. The heart becomes like a garden in full bloom. Like butterflies coming to drink honey from flowers, the mind flutters about in delight. Regardless of age, people become like little children again. Grandparents, parents, other elders at home, neighbours and friends coming together, swinging on makeshift swings, singing songs, playing games, laughing and celebrating… That is what makes Onam so special and joyful. Onam is the season when the innocent childlike heart within each of us awakens.
Onam carries many meanings and messages. One among them is a reminder to rediscover the innocence we have lost.
The story of Onam and Mahabali also conveys this message of surrender. When we realise that what we cling to and claim as ours cannot save us—like Mahabali bowing before Vamana—we too surrender with the attitude: “Let Thy will be done.” That is the true spirit of celebration.
Onam arrives with messages of joy, contentment, love, prosperity, unity, sharing, devotion and surrender to God.
The true purpose of all Indian festivals is to uplift humankind to God-remembrance and devotion. Happiness, love for others and devotion all go hand in hand. Only where there is true devotion will there be love for all creatures. And only then can there be lasting peace and happiness. This is why, during Onam, gift-giving, devotion and joyful celebration are all equally important.
Onam is a call to return to our heritage—to a life free of hypocrisy, to the purity of nature. Just as trees and plants bloom during Onam season to present to the world, let us also awaken the goodness within us. By giving space in our hearts for others, let us strive to make every day a Thiruvonam” Amma reminded all.
Following her satsang, Amma led meditation and sang bhajans as devotees swayed and clapped in joy. The grand graceful Thiruvathira performance filled the hall with beauty, unity, and rhythm, earning Amma’s delighted “double thumbs up.”
Amma then personally served Ona Sadya prasad to all—including Shakti, the ashram dog, and Lakshmi, the elephant.
In the evening, Amma resumed darshan, followed by bhajans and an 80-minute Sanskrit drama, Parvati Parinayam, written and directed by the brahmacharinis. With the help of modern stage technology and stunning costumes, the play depicted Goddess Parvati’s tapas and her divine union with Lord Siva, a symbolic portrayal of the seeker’s journey to the ultimate.
Amma concluded the day with three more bhajans, including one in English, leaving every heart and mind filled with the joy, culture, and devotion that Onam embodies.
-Kannadi
