Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi
13 September 2003 — Cochin, Kerala For a moment you think are on a film set. Temple fronts are being erected, pillars and statues are caste out of plaster, and tents and halls are being built. Walking up the area of the International Stadium on the outskirts of Kochi, you can see huge posters for […]
September 2003 At lunchtime, everybody takes a short break and food is served under a thatched roof just outside the stadium—rice, curry, sambar and buttermilk. 35-year-old Savitri is a devotee from Allepey, 60 kilometres south of Kochi who has come to help.”When we heard Amma wanted people to help clean, we came with the whole […]
Nehru stadium, Kochi, Kerala Along the now still-empty “grand avenue,” arches are being built. On the left, temporary buildings are emerging for the Colours of Compassion Exhibition and several medical exhibitions. On the right, a huge darshan hall is decorated with artificial garlands and flower bouquets. The hall is more than 100,000 square feet, more […]
Have you wondered how the more than 100,000 devotees will find sanitary facilities during Amritavarsham50? Read on. Each night after bhajans, 150 or so devotees crowd around the stairway to Amma’s room to delight in Her feeding of Ram, the ashram elephant. Tonight Amma showed Her design skills as well, with strict attention to detail. […]
As a frequent visitor to Amritapuri, I have often watched my beloved Amma feed the elephant Ram after bhajans everyday. It is such a joy to watch the spontaneous and innocent interactions between the Mother of the Universe and Her elephant son. Nevertheless I have sometimes wondered why Amma spends so much time on this […]
“A bird sits on the dry twig of a tree and eats a piece of fruit it has found somewhere. It knows that the twig may break at any moment; so it is very alert as it sits on the twig. You should understand that this world is like that. Everything may be lost at […]
6 September 2003 — Amritapuri Amidst the rousing melodies of a nadaswaram and takil, the Sri Ganesha Murthi which has received daily worship in the Kalari for over a week was brought to the base of the temple steps this evening. There the crowds gathered for this final ceremony of the Ganesha Chaturthi Festival to […]