Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

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30 years of visiting Los Angeles

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8-10 June, Los Angeles, California – USA Yatra 2017

Amma held three days of public programs in Los Angeles, concluding with Devi Bhava on the last night. Cultural performances included local devotee children singing bhajans, as well as a beautiful flute and harp performance.

During special ceremonies to celebrate Amma’s 30th visit to the US, Amma blessed two saplings which will be planted at the Los Angeles Ashram. Local devotees who had first met Amma 30 years ago were invited to come and offer flowers at Amma’s feet.

After Devi Bhava ended, Amma left for the long drive to Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.

 

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Spiritual home for three generations of spiritual seekers

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Tuesday, June 6, 2017

At MA Center in San Ramon, California, in honor of the 30th anniversary of Amma coming to the Bay Area and to the United States, devotees held a special ceremony commemorating the moment.

On stage for the occasion were Ron Gottsegen, MA Center President, and Kusuma Gretchen Venkatesh, who organized Amma’s first world tour in 1987, traveling the world in 1986 and 1987 before Amma had ever left India, with just an 8 mm videotape of Amma and her own experiences of living with Amma in the then-very small Amritapuri Ashram. Also on stage were a number of devotees who had met Amma as babies or very small children, and are now grown adults.

Ron Gottsegen opened the ceremony, saying, “Tonight has special significance because it marks a special occasion. his year marks the 30th anniversary of Amma coming to North America. It began in 1986 when Amma told her disciples, ‘My children are everywhere. They are crying for Amma, but cannot find me. Amma must go to them.’ And thus, Amma began her first World Tour, landing at San Francisco International Airport on May 18, 1987–30 years ago.

“It is because of Amma’s immense love, compassion and selflessness that that she comes back to us each and every year. As Amma says, ‘An unbroken stream of love flows from Amma to all beings in the universe.’ For 30 years now, we have been the recipients of this love. And, on behalf, of all Amma’s devotees in the North America, I would like to offer Amma, our immense reverence, thankfulness and gratitude.

“Amma has transformed the lives of everyone who has come to her. In this hall there are three generations of people “ said Ron Gottsegen. He then invited Neela Penumarthy, one of the young devotees, who met Amma on her first visit as an infant 30 years ago,to share a few words.

Speaking on behalf of those who have grown up with Amma, Neela shared, “This year marks the 30th anniversary of Amma’s visit to the Bay Area. Her visits here, while filled with sacred sweetness, only comprise a small part of her gift to us. In many ways, the San Ramon Ashram is an extension of her presence, and has been the source of great joy and community for so many. Many of us have learned to crawl and walk on these very grounds, and this space feels like our truest home.

“Amma’s dream for humanity is a simple one: That people will be able to eat to their fill. That there will be a day without violence. That individuals will be able to sleep without fear. And for her children to serve the poor and needy.

“Regardless of when we met Amma, in honor of Amma’s presence here, we can recommit to instilling even our most mundane interactions with this spirit of compassion, Amma’s very spirit. We can reach out to those who are suffering, be a kind presence of others, and reduce our own violent tendencies. Just as Amma sees all of creation as her own, we can see the world as our family.

“We feel profound gratitude to be the beneficiaries of the gift of your presence, Amma. You have said many times that your children are your wealth, and we will strive to make your dream—of a loving, more compassionate world—a reality. In this spirit, your children have written messages of appreciation and personal pledges to You, which have been strung into a literal garland of gratitude.

We sincerely pray that our words and deeds will become an expression of our love for you.”

This garland of gratitude was then presented to Amma, who bowed as she received it.

Then, a procession of devotees who met Amma on that first visit to the United States in 1987 offered flower petals as a token of their appreciation, and on behalf of all the assembled crowd, to Amma. They also brought two saplings to Amma to be blessed, invoking Amma’s own words, “May the tree of our life be firmly rooted in the soil of love. May good deeds be the leaves on that tree. May words of kindness form its flowers, and may peace be its fruit. Let us grow and unfold as one family united in love.”

As the trees were presented to Amma, Ron remarked, “In honor of this milestone, we offer two saplings, a fig and Pomegranate, to Amma on this occasion. These trees will be planted here at Amma’s first Center in North America to commemorate 30 years of countless blessings the devotees have received from Amma, with a prayer that these trees root deeply and remind us always of the cool shade and comfort of Amma’s loving embrace.”

Taking the microphone, Swamiji asked the assembled crowd to honor both Kusuma, who had organized the first tour all those many years ago and laid the groundwork for all that came after, and MA Center Board President Ron Gottsegen, who donated the first ashram in the United States to MA Center, making possible what has become a sanctuary and true spiritual home for three generations of spiritual seekers. As Amma took Kusuma and Ron into her arms, the crowd roared with appreciation and gratitude.

-Dass

My children are everywhere, Amma must go to them

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May 31 – June 6,San Ramon, California – USA Yatra 2017

Amma held 4 days of public programs followed by a retreat at her San Ramon, California Ashram in northern California.
The surrounding hills still had touches of green from the spring rains as people descended upon the Ashram to welcome Amma.

On Devi Bhava, a special ceremony was held to honor Amma’s 30th visit to the US.

Ron Gottsegen, MA Center President, whose generosity provided the land for MA Center San Ramon Ashram, and Kusuma Gretchen Venkatesh, who was the main organizer of Amma’s first visit to the US, led the ceremony. Ron addressed the gathered crowd noting that, “This year marks the 30th anniversary of Amma coming to North America. It began in 1986 when Amma told her disciples, ‘My children are everywhere. They are crying for Amma, but cannot find me. Amma must go to them.’ “

Also present were many adults who had been young children when Amma first arrived in the US. Neela Penumarthy spoke on their behalf.
“We feel profound gratitude to be the beneficiaries of the gift of your presence, Amma. You have said many times that your children are your wealth, and we will strive to make your dream—of a loving, more compassionate world—a reality… We sincerely pray that our words and deeds will become an expression of our love for you.”

The youth then offered Amma a garland of gratitude that was strung with personal pledges and written messages of appreciation.

Amma with the devotees Ron Gottsegan and Kusuma Gretchen who organised Amma’s visit 30 years ago

Next, a procession of devotees who had first met Amma 30 years ago offered flowers at her feet. Amma then blessed two saplings that will be planted on the grounds of MA Center in honor of the milestone.

During the retreat, there were numerous cultural performances, including a play in two parts – the first depicted the story of the Tamil Saint Abhirami Pttar, while the second enacted the story of how Devi killed the demons Shumba and Nishumba in the epic battle as recounted in the Devi Mahatmyam.

Children from the Bay Area Amrita Bala Kendra sang bhajans and put on a play about the life of Surdas, the14th century Indian blind saint, poet, and musician.

After San Ramon, Amma left for Los Angeles where the next programs will be held.

-Dass

 

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Amma’s message seems more important than ever before

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27-30 May, Seattle, USA – North America Yatra 2017

Amma began her 30th North American Yatra with three days of programs in Bellevue, Washington, USA.

Amma went directly from the airport to the Pacific Northwest Center where she served lunch while devotees told spiritual stories and jokes.

Much has changed in the past year since the Center was first formed. There is a beautiful garden, a meditation path, and work has just begun on a number of orchards on the 5-acre.

On the second day of programs, Br. Dayamrita Chaitanya acknowledged Amma’s 30th anniversary and asked for a show of hands of all who were there in the first year. Those who raised their hands received a hearty round of applause from all the program attendees. He went on to note that while many of us have traveled far to come see Amma, it is in fact Amma who has been coming to see the devotees, traveling more than 8,000 miles around the world to do so, year after year.

US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal receiving blessings from Amma

On the morning of the third day, US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal welcomed Amma. In her remarks, Rep. Jayapal said, “Amma’s message seems more important than ever before in these difficult and chaotic times when so much around us seems uncertain, when so much hate is exploding around us, and too many use their power for personal gain and without compassion for those who are most vulnerable.” Rep. Jayapal is the first Indian-American to serve as a member of the United States Congress.

There were also numerous cultural performances, including a play depicting the scene of Krishna lifting the mountain Govardhan.

At the start of the Atma Puja for World Peace, Amma blessed two Rhododendron plants (the official state flower of Washington), which will be planted at the Pacific Northwest Center.

-Dass

 

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Live like a rainbow, giving as much as joy and happiness to others

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Australia, April 11 – 27, 2017

Amma visited four cities across Australia, holding free public programs in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and retreats in Melbourne and the Gold Coast in her 18 days program.

Amma received a warm welcome to Australia from the Government as well, with State Member of Parliament for Carrum Sonya Kilkenny attending Amma’s first program in Melbourne. In her remarks, Ms. Kilkenny said, “On behalf of the Victorian government, I extend to Amma the very warmest of welcomes. You are an inspiration. Known for your selfless dedication to India and the world’s poor and needy, you indeed are a true fountain of love and compassion. You have achieved so much through the Embracing The World’s global network of charities, and you have inspired millions around the world to get involved and make a difference… Thank you Amma for all that you do and for being you.”

Counselor Paul Puelich spoke on behalf the Federal Shadow Minister for Multi-Cultural Affairs, saying, “Welcome to Australia, Amma! You’ve served the world community for decades. Through your extraordinary acts of love, inner strength and self-sacrifice, you impart wisdom, strength, and inspiration. For all that you do, Amma, thank you. May your teachings and example continue to give people hope and positively change their lives.”

Mr. Rakesh Malhotra, Consul & Head of Chancery, Consulate General of India was also on hand to welcome Amma, reflecting, “Amma does not need any introduction. She has dedicated her life for the benefit of others. She has been spreading the message of love. Love is very important in this world which is filled with hatred and jealousy.”

In Sydney, the Consul General of India Mr. B. Vanlalvawna, reflected, “Amma’s messages of love, peace and compassion are universal. They are essential for the establishment of a healthy society. I feel each one of us have a lot to learn and draw inspiration from Amma on the importance of putting others in need before ourselves.”

Amma traveled by road throughout the country, and the tour group enjoyed two precious stops along the way. En route to Brisbane, Amma stopped at the beach and led a meditation as the sunset with the waves lapping against the shore just steps away. It was raining in the distance, and as the meditation concluded, a rainbow appeared in the sky. Amma shared the story of a little girl with a terminal illness, who faced her illness with equipoise and spent her days spreading love and joy to others. When asked where she found the courage to live her life this way, the little girl said that whenever she got discouraged, she thought of the rainbow: “Even though it exists for such a short time, it gives so much joy and happiness to others while it shines in the sky. I want to be like that rainbow.” When Amma finished relating this story, she asked how many of her children also want their lives to be like a rainbow. Hand after hand raised into the air, palms open and outstretched. Meanwhile, it had begun to rain, and a second, even larger rainbow appeared across the horizon. Finally, the rain turned into a torrential downpour, almost as if the heavens had opened up and were showering their grace upon all these selflessly-minded souls, each one inspired by Amma to lead their life dedicated to spreading joy and happiness like the rainbow. As the rain continued to pour down, Amma stretched her own arms toward the heavens and sang Srishtiyum Niye. No one moved to take shelter, each one uplifted and transported by Amma’s soulful bhajan.

In Brisbane, Amma was welcomed to the region by Aboriginal elders, who performed traditional dances for Amma and the assembled crowd. Kerry Charlton, an Aboriginal elder of the Goorie Tribe, recited a Goorie welcoming blessing:

“As you travel across this country
May you stand strong and tall
as the iron-back tree
may your roots be wings that fly you ever higher
as a friend who has come to share the gift of You…
Gentle may your feet walk up our land
as ancient rhythms whisper to help you understand that
Though we are different, we are also the same
Goori wisdom from time immemorial does remain.
Be welcome. Have joy as you travel.”

Finally, Amma was welcomed by Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann, an Aboriginal elder from the Nauiyu community in the Northern Territory, a member of the Federal Government’s National Indigenous Council, and a Member of the Order of Australia for her outstanding achievements and service to Aboriginal people. Miriam-Rose’s words were profound, and resounded through a hall that listened with pin-drop silence. One couldn’t help but feel that she spoke on behalf of all of Australian’s native people, her voice imbued with ancient wisdom that recognized just how precious Amma’s visit, and Amma’s message, was for all the people of Australia and throughout the world.

“There is something greater than myself that speaks through all of us. That spirit of love. Connection, belonging: these things that connect us all. I am grateful to Amma that she has put out the invitation to connect to the aboriginal people of Amma. Where I live, we are situated next to a mighty river. It feeds us and nurtures us. Underneath the earth there are deep springs that feed the river. There is a deep spring inside us: we call on it and it calls on us. All of have a deep longing to listen deeply to our own spirit and connect with others. I hope that our connection with Amma will bring about a greater spiritual well-being in Australia, where we can listen to each other and work together to support our children. I believe that the spirit inside us will continue to blossom and grow as we open our hearts and continue to listen to each other.”

-Dass

 

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Masala Dosa festival at Amritapuri

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18 May 2017, Amritapuri Ashram

As has become a regular tradition, before leaving for a foreign tour, Amma takes time out to make and serve Masala Dosa for the residents of Amritapuri Ashram. Its a precious moment for all. 
Today also before her Japan – USA – Canada yatra, after the evening bhajans Amma made Masala Dosa and sevrved all.  Thousands of Masala Dosas’ preparation and serving took place in less than an hour.

 

For the last few days Amma has been privately meeting all the ashram residents one by one, clearing their doubts, guiding them on the right path, inspiring to be more selfless through simple words, small anecdotes and with examples from her life.

-Kannadi

 

Attachment to Detachment: Q&A with Amma

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13 Jan 2017, Amritapuri Ashram Beach Meditation

Amma gathered with the devotees on the beach for meditation. The gentle rumbling of waves and cool, onshore breeze quieted everyone’s mind. After sometime spent in contemplation, someone raised their hand with a question for Amma:

“Amma, you ask us to live a life of love and compassion, but you also ask us to practice detachment. I don’t know how to practice detachment without also giving up love. How can we practice detachment and also live a life of love and compassion at the same time?”

Spirituality is loving yourself and accepting what comes

Amma answered: “Spirituality is loving yourself and accepting what comes. Detachment is the attitude of acceptance, knowing the nature of the world and people. Accept the sugar as sugar and the salt as salt, the cow as cow and the elephant as elephant. Don’t try to see the cow as elephant and the elephant as cow. Though sugar and salt look the same, you put salt instead of sugar in the chai and then complain about the taste. The mistake is our own, we mistook salt for sugar. See each at their own level, and accept them as they are.”

“For instance, someone may be known to tell tall tales. When you know this about the person, you do not get caught up in their stories despite the fact that others might get carried away by the stories, believing them to be true. Knowing that this is person to be an exaggerator, knowing them as they are, you do not get carried away like others.”

“You may think very highly of someone, but after some period of interaction your opinion might wane. Also, you may think someone is useless at first, but, after spending some time with them, realize how great they are. In both these cases you made someone great and you made someone good for nothing, both are your creation, that is why you need to see everything for what it is. Understand the nature of objects and people, and then live accordingly.”

Expect nothing in return when giving

“Expectation is our creation, so is sorrow. Spirituality is a practical approach to life. Right attachment is detachment. Right detachment is attachment. Seeing others as yourself, that is what detachment is.”

In order to explain the point Amma narrated an anecdote.

“Perhaps, when you were going through school, a friend of yours needed money for books, food, clothing, and the like. Many years later you run into some financial difficulty. Your friend, the one who you helped in school, is now rich and has a good job. You may think to go to him for help, remembering that you had helped him and thinking that he will certainly repay the favour now, but, when you meet with him, you find out that he is not willing to help you.

“Like this, we should not expect anything in return when we give. If we must expect, then we should learn to expect both good and bad. We plant a seed, it may sprout, it may not sprout, it may bear fruit, it may not bear fruit–anything may happen. If you put money in the stock market, you may expect to make money, but you may lose money. Both may happen. We should cultivate an attitude to accept both of these potentials. That is what detachment is. That is what understanding the nature of the world is, accepting both possibilities and moving forward. Live a life without any dependence. We have been growing up with a dependence from our childhood onwards, and it is not easy to change that. The real attachment is what detachment is.”

Amma then began to expand on this thought.

Expectation and Detachment

“Detachment is a state where you see others as yourself. When you see others as yourself, that is the real detachment. That state is what detachment is. What we have now is just expectation. You love the cow for the sake of its milk. When it stops providing milk, you send it to the butcher. Wife and husband get married expecting love from the other. They are like two beggars begging from each other with nothing to give. When they don’t get love, they get angry, fight, and divorce. We are begging from each other, but the love we desire is there within. Without knowing that it is within, we are seeking it outside.”
Amma then told a story of a grandmother who lost her diamond ring. She was searching on the road, and, after searching for some time, some passerbys came to help. They asked her where exactly she had lost the ring. She said, “I lost it in my house.” The passerbys replied, “So why are you searching out here?” She said, “Because there is no light in my house, and here there is light.” Amma concluded the story by saying, “Similarly, we are seeking joy and love outside.”

Right Attachment

“In a changing world, understanding its nature, being in centered in one’s self, we should love others. That is the right attachment. Today’s friend may become tomorrow’s foe and today’s foe may become tomorrow’s friend, because our mind is constantly changing. In this changing world, there is one changeless thing upon which all the changes are taking place, and that is the self, the Atman. Wake up to that state. The human birth is to realize the self (changeless substratum).”

All Are One

“Everything is one Atman. There are a hundred reflections of the sun in a hundred pots of water, but, in reality, there is only one sun. The tree is Brahman and the seed is also Brahman, but the seed has not yet become the tree. The tree is ready to give shade, and food, and shelter–one is able to help others where the seed is not. We have to grow into that state where we can help others. True, both the seed and tree are Brahman, yet only the tree has grown to its full potential (giving shade, food, shelter, etc.), whereas the seed, though being Brahman as well, only retains the potential of blossoming into a tree. The potential is there within, but we have not realized it.”

Guru is Right Weather

“For the seed to grow, there must be a conducive atmosphere. An apple tree will not grow in a tropical area or desert. Dates will not grow in the Himalayas. The premature baby needs an incubator. Like that, we need a conducive atmosphere for development, which is the Guru’s presence. The Guru’s presence is like an ideal climate is for a plant. The Guru has the experience of reality. Be in their presence and get the guidance. The Guru is the one who has experienced the absolute. By being associated with the Guru we can get in touch with their knowledge in no time. When you have a Guru it is like traveling in an express bus. You can reach your destination faster.”

Compassion in Action

“When we poke our eye with the finger, the same finger that injured the eye, consoles it, because we know both to be part of ourselves, to be one. We have to awaken to that state of oneness. Other’s sorrow is your sorrow, other’s joy is your joy.”

“We shouldn’t cry for the blind person, but hold their hand and help them cross the road. Instead of feeling pity for the hungry, we should feed them or show them where we they can find food. Think about what you can do for society. The real attachment is detachment. In that state, you’re not angry with anybody, you’re not expecting anything from anyone. The mind is the one that is creating sukha and dhukha. If you know the nature of the mind, the work is done.”

– Sakshi

Only when joy and sharing come, will our efforts become complete

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29-30 April, Trissur, Kerala – Bharata Yatra 2017

After Kochi, Amma held a two days brahmastahanm festival in Trissur.
Amma was welcomed with PanchariMelam and Raman, the elephant was there.

Dr. Mar Aprem Mooken Metropolitan, the head of India’s Assyrian Church of the East, came to see Amma. After having Amma’s darshan, His Grace said, “In Amma I see someone who is very much deserving of the Noble Peace Prize. She deserves it, and this is something I pray that I get to see in my life time.”​

The heat and the weather did not reduce the number of people coming to meet Amma. She lead everyone in bhajan and meditaton, gave talks on both days.


Speaking on the occasion Amma said “Man’s self-serving perspective, which will lead people to consider others as enemies. When people perform actions with only the end-result in mind, they will not hesitate to do anything to attain that end – even committing crimes. Only when joy and sharing come into human action, will our efforts become complete.” 

Amma also distributed saris to the members of local women’s self help groups, handed over certificate of completion of newly constructed 15 toilets in that area. The toilet construction is part of Amma’s efforts to make the state open defecation free. The local Amrita Vidyalayam children presented different cultural programs to add festive flavour to the program.
At the end of the last darshan Amma sang “Guruvadi Vani Sunlo…” to conclude Bharata Yatra 2017 and return to Amritapuri.

-Kannadi

 

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When the word cross limits, they create destruction: Amma in Kochi

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26-27 April, Kochi, Kerala – Bharata Yatra 2017

After spending most of April touring Malaysia, Singapore and Australia, Amma returned to India and held a two days Brahmasthanam festival in Kochi, Kerala.
Each day, Amma lead everyone in meditation, bhajans and gave satsang. Despite the scorching heat, all the devotees patiently waited hours for Amma’s darshan.

Amma was welcomed to Kochi with Purnakumbham by the priest of the Guruvayoor temple. During the programs, the Working President of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, Pravin Togadia presented Amma with the ‘Hindu Ratna Award’ , saying the award was a tribute to the ‘Mother of the World’.
Saumini Jain, the Mayor of Kochi and the Asha Sanal, the Panchayat President were also among the officials who came to meet Amma.

Addressing the devotees Amma said: “Mindless speaking triggers most of the problems in the society these days. Like when water moves beyond its limits, it can harm people, even words have limits. When we cross those limits, they can cause widespread destruction. We should celebrate our life with kind words and good action”.

Amma extended her charitable activities in the area by distributing saris to the members of the local AmritaSree selfhelp group.

Local students from Amrita Vidyalayam and Amrita University presented different dance programs and bhajans during Darshan.

Amma concluded the two days program at 5 am on the third day and then proceeded to Trissur for the next stop on the tour.

-Kannadi

 

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Why Amma always wants to serve food

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27 Jan, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu – Bharata Yatra 2017

After finishing the program in Trivandrum, the tour group drove to KayanaKumari where the next program was to be held. Upon their arrival Amma decided to serve prasad. Once all the food had been distributed, sitting on the veranda of Amrita Vidyalayam, she began to tell the group why she always insists on serving prasad.

 

Only hunger can be fully satisfied
“Amma likes to serve prasad, because hunger is the only desire that people become fully satisfied with to the point that they want no more. Other desires can never be fully satisfied because there is always a desire for more. Hunger is the same for all people, once they have a full stomach, they are satisfied.

“On the other hand, with money, for instance, one can never say ‘enough’. A poor person will become rich when given enough money and then greedy when they are rich, and thus, never feel that they have enough. With food, people quickly become full and then say they want no more, that they’ve had enough.”

Collecting baby mangos and bilimbi
Then Amma began to tell a story from her childhood. She was recalling how, in her school days, Amma collected the baby mangos and bilimbi* when they fell from the trees for the children at the school that had no food to eat. Amma would cut them into pieces and mix them with salt and chilli. Amma would bring this mixture to school for the children who had nothing to eat. She would offer it to them and they would eat it and then take water from the well to drink.
Amma continued, recalling the traditions and culture of those days.

Shameful has become fashionable
“At that time, people used to fix torn clothes, stitching the tears and patching the holes. Back then it was painful to see someone wearing tattered clothes, but nowadays people buy a pair of brand new jeans for $25 and then pay another $100 to have holes and patches put in them because it is fashionable. Ironically, today people make holes in their clothes, exposing all the areas clothes are designed to cover. It is no longer shameful for people to walk around wearing torn clothes. In those days, it was shameful to walk around with clothes like that.”

Everyone sitting around Amma bust into laughter.

“Back then people would be starving from lack of food, but nowadays people starve themselves in order to lose a few kilos of fat. For those who didn’t have food and clothing, they felt ashamed if people found out they had torn clothes or couldn’t afford to eat, but nowadays people are proud of their tattered clothes or having not eaten.
“People want to look skinny and beautiful, whether they really are looking beautiful is another matter, but they think they are looking beautiful.”

Attitude is everything
“It is all about the mental attitude. If they are not poor, it becomes a matter of pride to wear torn jeans. What used to be a matter of shame is now a matter of prestige. If someone has a hunchback, people might make fun of them, but if someone constructs a dress with a protrusion on the back, they will call it the latest fashion.”

Amma then took the cushion and folded it and put it into the back of her dress, mimicking the dress. Everyone laughed and after the chuckles had died down Amma continued. “Amma wanted to see everyone laugh, that is why she put the cushion on her back, she wasn’t making fun of anyone, she just wanted to see everyone laugh.”

Amma ended her talk with a simple piece of advice.
“The world is going in a very strange direction. We need to look into ourselves, not anywhere else. Look within.”

-Sakshi

* Bilimbi is  the fruit of the tree  – the genus Averrhoa, family Oxalidaceae.  It is cylindrical and ellipsoid in shape, green in colour, tastes sour, crunchy and juicy, high in nutritional value, used as a spice in cooking in some of the seasonal dishes. Found in tropical climate, planted in the house gardens.