Category: Around Amma
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The spontaneity of a child
10 April 2000, Sydney During the Devi puja in Sydney, Amma led everyone in chanting the 108 names of the Divine Mother. The devotees chanted with so much energy and concentration that by the time the last few mantras were being chanted, the atmosphere in the hall felt charged with a Divine presence. Silence followed…
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The irresistible pull
1 April 2000, Singapore At sunset Mother led Her devotees to a nearby park to meditate. They sat quietly together for a quarter of an hour, and then rose to head back home. Imagine the scene: a quiet, upscale neighbourhood, with neatly trimmed lawns and clean streets. Out of nowhere, there suddenly appears a small…
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Darshan through train window
16 March 2000, Lucknow It was on the train line between New Delhi and Calcutta, sometime in the middle of the night. The Rajdhani Express pulled into the station at Lucknow, and chanting rose from the platform: “Om Amriteshwaryai Namaha!” the voices called out. “Om Amriteshwaryai Namaha!” Devotees were there, yearning for at least a…
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Why did you leave us?
February 2000, Mumbai On the last day of Amma’s programs in Mumbai, during the Indian Tour 2000, thousands of people flocked to see Amma in Devi bhava. Regal and resplendent, Amma was overflowing with bliss throughout the bhava darshan. At the end of the Devi bhava at about 5 a.m., when Amma was showering flowers…
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Never Mind the Rain in Cherukolpuzha
6 February 2000, Cherukolpuzha, Pathanamtitta Cherukolpuzha Hindumatha Maha Sammelan Usually when Amma is about to arrive at one of these big outdoor programs, all faces are turned towards the far end of the center aisle of whatever huge space or pandal has been arranged. Music is playing, and a long carpet has been rolled out…