Announcements Archives - Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

Holi in Hyderabad

28 Feb – 1 Mar , Hyderabad, Telangana – Bharata Yatra 2018

Amma arrived in Hyderabad just before midnight to a crowd of devotees that had gathered to welcome her.

The next morning, Irrigation Minister, T. Harish Rao, and Special Advisor to the State Government, S. Venugopalachary, were to meet Amma on her first day of scheduled programs.

Amma appreciated the effort put forth by the state government in their aim to prioritize much-needed irrigation projects. In a private meeting, Harish Rao asked Amma to give her blessings for the irrigation projects, which supply much needed agricultural water to farmers.

As part of the Amrita Serve project, MAM has adopted Kodur village in the Medak district and Gudipaticheruvu in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. In Kodur village, Amma has initiated a program that trains locals to produce low-cost, biodegradable sanitary napkins, and, separately, has begun providing tuition for children from kindergarten age to Class 10. Amrita Serve also installed a compressed mud block manufacturing unit, which serves as a durable, eco-friendly alternative to the existing bricks. The unit is enabling villagers to earn a livelihood.

Amma distributed saris and working capital to the AmritaSREE Self-Help Group members, and AYUDH members were given saplings to promote organic farming. Biodegradable sanitary napkins made by the Amrita SeRVe project were also distributed to the teenage girls in attendance.

Speaking on the occasion, SK Joshi, the Principal Secretary of the Govt of Telangana said, “Amma is a living example of an integral human. We all have seen how much effort Amma has put towards help elderly people, orphans, and others.”

Amma led all in a meditation and Manasa puja, delivering the instructions in Telugu (the local language). Her Satsang was translated into Telugu and she also sang a number of Telugu bhajans.

The two final days of the festival fell on Holi. Many devotees brought colours and ‘Pichkari’ to Amma. As is the tradition on Holi, Amma sprayed the colours on all around her, creating a vibrant atmosphere full of joy and laughter. As well, Amma sang a Holi themed bhajan with the line, “Jagadeeswary prem ki rang me rali…” which can be translated as, “oh Divine Mother spray the colours of love all around….”

Finishing the Hyderabad program with an ecstatic Holi celebration, Amma and the tour group departed the city for the next stop in Pune.

-Kannadi

[Show thumbnails]

Swami Ramakrishnananda Puri South America Tour 2017

Santiago, Chile:
Contact: http://www.ammachile.cl/swami-2017/

Saturday Oct 14th- Satsang, Bhajan & Meditation, 4:00pm
Centro Cultural de Lo Prado, Paseo de las Artes 880, Metro Lo Prado.

Sunday Oct 15th- Puja, 11:00am
Biblioteca Municipal de Quinta Normal Radal 1693, esq. Padre Tadeo, Quinta Normal.

Viña del Mar, Chile:
Tuesday Oct 17th- Satsang, Bhajan & Meditation, 7:30pm
Cine Arte de Viña del Mar, Plaza Vergara #142

Lima, Peru:
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/www.ammaperu.com.pe/
Friday Oct 20th- Homa, Satsang, Bhajan & Meditation, 6:30pm
Saturday Oct 21st- IAM course, 9:30am
City Walk- Caminos del Inca, calle Monterrey 258 esq con Av. Caminos Del Inca 241, 3 y 4 Nivel – CITY WALK / Chacarilla del Estanque, Santiago De Surco, Lima 33 Lima, Peru

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:
Contact: http://www.ammabrasil.org/swami/

Sunday Oct 22nd – Homa, Satsang, Bhajan & Meditation, 6:30pm
IAB, Rua do Pinheiro #10- Flamengo

Araruama, Brazil:
Tuesday Oct 24th- Homa, Satsang, Bhajan & Meditation, 6:30pm
Templo Amrita, Araruama, RJ, Rua Simonides Nunes de Almeida Filho 296, Fonte Limpa

Sao Paolo, Brazil:
Friday Oct 27th – Satsang, Bhajan & Meditation, 8:00pm
Saturday Oct 28th – Puja, 9am
Espaço Mie Kaikan Av. Lins de Vasconcelos, 3.352 Vila Mariana

We invite you to Amritavarsham64

Dhanyatman,
It is my great pleasure to invite you to the 64th Birthday Celebrations of Her Holiness Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi—our Beloved Amma. The celebrations will take place at the Amrita University Campus in Amritapuri, Kerala, on the evening- of Sunday, the 8th of October, and on the morning of Monday, the 9th of October 2017. We would be overjoyed if you would be with us on this auspicious occasion.

For 64 years now, Amma has been blessing the world with her compassion and selflessness. Holding the sick, the poor and the lonely directly to her heart… drying their tears with her own hands… doing everything she can to uplift them… Amma’s life is an expression of a Love we had heretofore only read about. Seeing only oneness and unity, it is a Love that cuts across all boundaries—those of nation, of politics, of religion, of language, of caste. It is a Love that embraces people of all ages, all backgrounds, all walks of life. It is a Love that inspires everyone it touches to strive to expand his or her heart and mind. It is a Love that makes people ask themselves, “What more could I be doing to help others?”

Each year the devotees and disciples of Amma come together on Amma’s birthday in order to celebrate the advent of this Love into their lives. The celebrations are joyous, drawing lakhs of people from all over the world. They are verily an expression of the mantra of which Amma’s entire life has been a manifestation: Om lokah samasthah sukhino bhavantu—”May everyone everywhere be happy!”

Ever in Amma’s Service,
Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri
Vice-Chairman, Board of Trustees

!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*
Programme Highlights
Sunday, evening 8th October:
Cultural Programmes by Students of Amrita Educational Institutions

Monday, 9th October:
Sri Guru Padapuja.
Amma’s Birthday Address
Release of new Ashram Publications
Distribution of free Clothing to the poor,
Awarding of Amritakeerthi Puraskar
Launch and Inauguration of new Charitable Programes
Followed by AMMA’s Darshan
Cultural Programmes by Students of Amrita Educational Institutions

Amma is the greatest ambassador of peace

27 Sep 2016, Amritapuri – Amritavarsham celebrations

The Governor of Kerala, Justice P Sathasivam, who was the Chief Guest at Amritavarsham63, bestowed the 2016 Amrita Keerti Puraskar to Sri. Ambalapuzha Gopakumar. In his address the Governor said that Amma’s work is a continuation of the spiritual leadership provided by great sages of India. Selfless love and compassion has been Amma’s message which is accepted all over the world since Love has no specific language or barrier.

* Amma is one of the few who has given equal importance to intellectual and spiritual pursuits, and used this blend for humanitarian projects. Thus the activities of the Math are focussed on the 5 basic needs of people.

* Amrita University which is ranked as No.1 in the country is an indication of the foresight of Amma to use academics and research for public good. Moreover the educational efforts of the M A Math are spread across India.

* Amma is the greatest ambassador of peace [going] around the world .

* As a First Citizen of Kerala I endorse the suggestion of of Mr Amar Singh and Mr PJ Kurien,Dy Speaker, Rajya Sabha that Amma should be conferred with Bharat Ratna {news}.

Ambalapuzha Gopakumar receives Amritakeerti Puraskar

The 2016 Amritakeerti Puraskar was bestowed upon Malayalam writer Sri. Ambalapuzha Gopakumar for his noteworthy contributions to spiritual, philosophical and cultural literature. The Governor of Kerala, Justice P Sathasivam, gave the 2016 Amrita Keerti Puraskar to Sri. Ambalapuzha Gopakumar in Amma’s presence.

The Amritakeerti Puraskar—which has been awarded annually since 2001 to individuals making outstanding contributions in the fields of spirituality, philosophy, science and literature—comes with a cash prize of Rs. 1,23,456, a statuette of Saraswati Devi created by renowned sculptor Namboodiri, and a citation from the Mata Amritanandamayi Math.

Sri. Ambalapuzha Gopakumar was presented with his awards on September 27th, 2016, in Amritapuri, as part of Amma’s 63rd Birthday Celebrations.

Sri. Ambalapuzha Gopakumar currently serves as president of the Ambalapuzha Kshethra Vikasana Trust and as a director board member of the Samastha Kerala Sahithya Parishat, Kochi. He is also the chief editor of Sreevatsam, a spiritual and cultural magazine. He holds a PhD in Malayalam and has served as a professor at Sanatana Dharma College, Alappuzha, for more than 30 years.

He has received numerous awards, including: the Prof. Kozhissreri Balaraman Award for Literature, 2011; the Narayeeyam Puraskaram for Spiritual Contribution, 2012; the State Award of Balasahithya Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, 2013; the Ekatha Award for Literature from Sharja, 2014; the Venmani Award for Poetry from Aluva, 2015; the Karuvatta Chandran Award for Literature, 2015; the Vasudeva Puraskaram from Ambalapuzha Temple, 2015; and the Janmasthami Puraskara, Balasamskara Kendram, 2016.

Padapuja photo updates – Amritavarsham 63

[Show thumbnails]

Amma receives student award winners

22 September 2016, Amritapuri

On almost every darshan day in Amritapuri many students come to meet Amma. Today was no different but all of those that came today, came to share their joy with Amma for having won various awards.

The students won several competitions on a national level in a variety of disciplines. The first winners won the Amritopanyasa Pratiyogita, an English Essay writing competition in two categories: ‘On the subjects Cultivating Strength’ and ‘Vitality, The Infinite Potential of Women.’ The second batch of winners competed in the Amrita Chitranjali, Pencil drawing competition, expressing themselves on the topic ‘An unforgettable incident in your life’.

Other winners were victorious in a Bhagavad Gita chanting competition conducted across all Kerala Amrita Vidyalayam schools. The chapter selected for the competition was 7th, Jnanavijnana yoga.

The winners are as follows:
Amritopanyasa Pratiyogita – Category 1
1. Visalakshi. S Std. X of Amrita Vidyalayam, Chennai
2. A. Gopika. K.K Std. X of Amrita Vidyalayam, Kodungallur
B. Neha.M.Naijil Std. X of S.N.Vidya Bhavan, Chentrappini
3. Sravan.D.K Std. X of Amrita Vidyalayam, Davengere.

Amritopanyasa Pratiyogita – Category 2
1. Archana.R Std XII of Amrita Vidyalayam, Kannur
2. Hima.M Hari Std XII of Amrita Vidyalayam, Ernakulam
3. Akshay.C.P Std XI of Amrita Vidyalayam, Kuthuparamba

Amrita Chitranjali
1. Aparna Anil Std VII of Amrita Vidyalayam, Koyilandy
2. Adisree. K Std VII of Sree Sankara Vidyapeetam, Mattannur
3. Nihal Babu, Std VII of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Sultan Bathery

Bhagavad Gita (Amrita Vidyalayam only)
1. Devika KN – Harippad
2. Sivani B Sajeev – Talassery
3. Sreechand Kollara – Trissur

Swami Ramakrishnananda’s South America Tour 2016

Swami Ramakrishnanada will visit four countries in South America and will hold programs in eight cities from August 25 to September 11th. The programs include satsang, bhajans, puja and meditation classes.

Lima, Peru
August 25th- IAM Course
August 26th- Satsang, Bhajans, Meditation
August 27th- Homa
Contact: www.ammaperu.com.pe / email: info (at) ammaperu.com.pe /

Viña Del Mar, Chile
August 29th- Satsang, Bhajans, Meditation

Santiago, Chile
August 30th- Satsang, Bhajans, Meditation
August 31st- Puja
Contact: www.ammachile.cl /email: Informacion (at) ammachile.cl /

Buenos Aires, Argentina
September 2nd- Puja
Contact: www.amma-argentina.org /email: argentina (at) embracingtheworld.org

Sao Paolo, Brazil
September 3rd Satsang, Bhajans, Meditation
September 4th- Puja
Contact: www.ammabrasil.org / email: amma-brasil (at) ammabrasil.org

Curitiba, Brazil
September 6th- Satsang, Bhajans, Meditation

Araruama, Brazil
September 8th- Satsang, Bhajans, Meditation & Puja

Rio, Brazil
September 9th- Satsang, Bhajans, Meditation & Puja

The Science of Compassion: A documentary on Amma by Shekhar Kapur

Mumbai – May 26, 2016

World-renowned film director, actor and producer Shekhar Kapur today officially launched a new documentary about Amma titled The Science of Compassion. The film was shot at Amritapuri Ashram in September 2013, during Amma’s 60th birthday celebrations.

In the documentary, Shekhar Kapur investigates the source of human compassion and creativity. The film includes a lengthy interview with Amma, as well as with Nobel Laureate Dr. Leland Hartwell and many others about Amma’s unique approach to life and how her love has touched, and in many cases, transformed their lives.

Shekhar Kapur explained that the film was an extension of his own personal spiritual search. “The search for what lies beyond our own individuality has been with me since I was 15,” he said. “I have been grappling with questions like, what is the true nature of love? Is there love beyond ownership? What is compassion? Is it something you do or is it a state of mind or a state of being? If you become a much more compassionate being, does it alter your physiology? Do you become a much more intuitive being? It is not only a spiritual search for me, but a scientific quest too. Meeting Amma on her 60th birthday was a huge opportunity for me to investigate these deeper truths. I ask her the same questions in the documentary.”

Shekhar Kapur also reflected on the experience of spending time with Amma. “Being in the presence of Amma is a unique experience because you feel the energy radiating from her. When you ask infinite questions, you cannot expect answers in finite ways. In fact, there are no answers. There is only experiencing. When you go to Amma, you go for the experience of her,” he said. “Spirituality is not about miracles and drama, but about experiencing subtle and incremental changes through which you evolve. I have not remained unaffected by Amma’s message of love and compassion. The more I realize how incredibly loving and compassionate she is, the more it changes me subtly and incrementally.”

Swami Amritaswarupananda, the Vice-Chairman of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math and Amma’s senior-most disciple, thanks Shekhar Kapur for insightful film: “On behalf of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, I would like to say that to have an artist as renowned and talented as Sri. Shekhar Kapur focus his insight and creative vision on our beloved Amma has filled us all with joy. He is a one of India’s treasures of film, and through his artistic direction, open-heartedness and genuine questions as an interviewer, The Science of Compassion was able to capture Amma’s unique combination of beauty, grace, humility and wisdom. We are indebted to him for that.”