15–22 March 2026, Amritapuri <=> Ayodhya
For over a thousand devotees, the recent train journey to Ayodhya was far more than a simple pilgrimage to a sacred city. Over the course of 50 hours, the specially chartered train transformed into a “moving ashram”—a vessel of devotion, profound inner growth, and boundless joy, all guided by Amma’s unwavering presence.
Through continuous chanting, selfless service, and the intimate grace of the Divine Mother, the travelers didn’t just go to Ayodhya; they experienced it within. Here is a glimpse into the journey, told through the words of those who lived it.
A Family United in Devotion
The overarching sentiment among the passengers was a profound sense of unity. The train quickly became a sanctuary where boundaries dissolved, and strangers became family.
Chetana Benyamini beautifully captured this spirit, describing it as a “once in a lifetime experience” where she “felt as one big family cradled with love… traveling with The Mother, the Guru.” Similarly, Saranya P noted that the trip “was not just a journey—it felt like living inside a stream of joy, devotion, and togetherness. Every moment on the train carried a quiet magic: from the soulful bhajans that turned compartments into spaces of celebration, to the simple happiness of watching landscapes unfold.”
Many felt that the very atmosphere of the train was elevated by divine grace. Sumadevi V shared that the moving ashram “was filled with devotion, happiness, love, cooperation, acceptability, patience, jokes and dance,” likening the train to the mythical ‘Pushpaka Vimanam’ (the divine flying chariot).
As Sujatha simply put it: “Most amazing experience. A train full of people who are family—ashram on wheels.”
Amma’s Unwavering Love and Personal Touch
What truly made this journey unforgettable was Amma’s tireless effort to connect with every single person on board. Despite the logistical challenges of a moving train, Amma’s love knew no bounds.
“What touched me most was Amma’s unwavering dedication to being there for us at every step,” shared Sudha. “Each day, She walked through the entire train, pausing at every compartment in every carriage. Through a glance, a touch, or a brief talk, She showed Her closeness to each one of us.”
This motherly care extended to the smallest details of the devotees’ well-being. Heather Linnemeyer recalled, “I loved having Amma come visit us in our cabin and touch our hands. She asked if we slept ok and if we had eaten. So sweet of her to make it feel like all of our needs were met in such a lovely way.”
For many, this intimate setting offered a rare and deeply personal connection. Skandhamrita compared it to a private “room darshan,” explaining that when Amma visited the cabins, “it felt as though Amma was speaking to each one of us personally.” Rondine Anushree added that Amma walked the length of the train multiple times to greet everyone and set the tone: “She encouraged us to enjoy, sing, smile, dance, and live in the present.”
The Inner Pilgrimage: Lessons in Close Quarters
While the train moved across landscapes, a parallel journey was happening within. The close quarters and continuous spiritual practices offered profound lessons in self-awareness and contentment.
Namitha, who initially hesitated about the trip, experienced a beautiful internal shift: “Without even realizing it, my fixed ideas and logical boundaries began to loosen, making space for something more real—an experience filled with simplicity, warmth, and grace.”
Being in such close proximity to others also served as a mirror for personal growth. Praseeda noted Amma’s brilliance in this setup: “Amma could support Her advice by showing us our vasanas in our interactions with others in the very close quarters of our berth. It was brilliant – Amma’s genius.”
Through it all, the continuous spiritual focus kept spirits high. Seetha reflected on how “joy made a constant experience,” as the group “chanted almost continuously and laughed during intervals… there was no room for sorrow.” Ultimately, as Pavithra SP realized, “Being together, I felt less selfish and more connected… I felt like the best version of myself.”
Seva in Motion: The Miracle of Logistics
Moving and caring for over 1,100 people is a monumental task, yet the journey was marked by impeccable organization and selfless seva.
“Food supply was abundant and delicious,” noted Padmakumar Janardhanan. Sujatha praised the meticulous maintenance: “We were fully fed at all times. Fresh food, fresh chai, plenty of drinking water. Toilets maintained neatly, floors swept, waste management—volunteers did an amazing job.”
Even those with health concerns felt completely safe. Balakrishnan PG, who had suffered a stroke just a month prior, shared how deeply moved he was by the care he received: “Amma’s direct instructions, during her visit to our train coach, to be careful and inform the doctors if any problem… See how She, the Mother, takes care of the children. Tears rolled down.”
Wherever Amma Is
As the train finally arrived in Ayodhya, the external destination only mirrored the internal state the devotees had already reached. The journey was a profound reminder that true sacredness lies in the presence of the Divine.
Swaminathan J summarized the spirit of the trip perfectly: “Mother Sita had mentioned wherever Rama is, that is her Ayodhya. For us, wherever Amma is, that is our Amritapuri. It is only by Amma’s divine Sankalpa that we got to travel with Amma in a special chartered train… Everything about the trip was thrilling. It was like moving rhythmically in Amma’s tune, without a personal plan, not knowing what is next, but utterly joyful as every moment unfolded.”
-KaliCharan
