Category: Ashram

  • A week of special prayers

    14 Sept 2001, Amritapuri After evening bhajans on Tuesday, Amma was informed of the terrible tragedy in America (9/11 at the World tade center, New York), which had occurred less than two hours before (due to the time difference of nine and a half hours, it was then around 8:00 pm at Amritapuri). She spoke…

  • Tai Chi classes

    In ancient times Bodhidharma went from India to China, and it is said that for many years he meditated at the Shaolin monastery. He devised a system of physical exercises which served both as a means to maintain the health as well as a system of self-defense. The martial art he developed was Tai Chi.…

  • Vishu celebrations

    April the 14th, 2001, marks the New Year in the Hindu calendar. The focal point of the Vishu celebrations in Amritapuri was the Kalari, where Amma first started Krishna Bhava in 1975. The vishukkani (literally, ‘first sight of the year’) was kaleidoscopic display of elaborate floral arrangements and a platter of fruits. In Indian tradition,…

  • Falling in love with Amma is Christmas

    24 December 2000, Amritapuri Just before Christmas, Mother gave darshan to about 15,000 people a day in Calicut in northern Kerala, virtually around the clock for four days and nights. The programme ended early in the morning on December 24th. Without getting any rest after that marathon, Mother got into the car for the day-long…

  • The Beginning of the Ashram

    The ashram grew around Amma’s childhood home. It was a modest house with 3 rooms and a kitchen. It is built on the site of the original thatched hut, where Amma was born. When Amma first started Krishna Bhava beside the beach road, Her father became very anxious for Her safety. Adjoining his house was…

  • A new darshan hall

    The temple, which has been used since March 1993, is no longer large enough to accommodate the thousands who come on Devi Bhava days.

  • Trikarthika Puja

    Trikarthika Puja

    Once a month, a special two-hour puja is performed in the original little temple at the ashram, in honour of Karthika, the day of Mother’s birth star. This month, on the auspicious day, the ashram was decorated more beautifully than ever. Throughout the grounds hundreds of oil lamps were lit and garlands were hung; the…

  • Scripture classes

    When Amma leaves for Her world tours, the ashram continues to be a hub of activity. Recently a brilliant, visiting lecturer, Swami Anubhavananda, conducted classes at the ashram. Mixing humour and dramatic language, his talks inspired profound reflection. He gave lectures on Srimad Bhagavad Gita and on ‘Panchadasi’ a Vedantic text. He spoke for four…

  • What is Kali Puja

    What is Kali Puja

    Kali Pujas take place on the veranda of the Kalari at Amritapuri, which is prepared with exquisitely coloured drawings, made with coloured powders. The diagram represents the peetham (seat) of the goddess who is symbolically present in the form of a tall lamp standing in the centre. Kali is the compassionate Mother in Her fierce…

  • Kali puja on Karthika

    Kali puja on Karthika

    26 July 2000, Amritapuri On Wednesday 26 July, Amma’s Birthstar (Karthika) was celebrated with a Kali puja in the Kalari. The entire ashram had been decorated with garlands and lamps, and the Kalari itself was graced with traditional motifs (mandalas) and more lamps and garlands. The highlight of the ritual occurred during the singing of…