Category: Festivals
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Night Lotus
24 September 2003 A single white lotus in the midst of a garland of tender rosebuds—that was Amma sitting in the centre of a group of children that gathered around Her as soon as She sat down to witness the evening’s cultural programmes. In a preamble to an enchanting night of darshan, Amma called more…
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Amma Arrives
Amma Arrives at Amritavarsham50 Stadium 23 September 2003 Amma arrived at the Amritavarsham50 stadium to the cheers of thousands of devotees Months of preparation, thousands of hours offered selflessly by thousands of self-sacrificing people, and a contagious spirit of celebration from the very instant the idea arose—all of it was for this one moment. The…
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Colours of Compassion
September 2003 — Cochin, Kerala True art must necessarily be inspired art, and it is therefore with great anticipation that we await the ‘Colours of Compassion’ Exhibition, to be unveiled during the Amritavarsham 50- Embracing the World for Peace and Harmony celebrations in Kochi next month. In response to the fount of inspiration that is…
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The Kumbha Mela of the South
100,000 people are going to sleep in 42 schools, 105 community centres and marriage halls, and 52 spacious temporary tents
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Ready to receive 100,000 guests daily
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…
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This is not a human wish, this is divine
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…
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Transforming stadium into a spiritual centre
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…
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Ganesha Visarjan: the immersion ceremony
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…
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Elephant worship on Ganesha Chaturthi
31 August 2003 — Amritapuri Sri Ganesha, in the form of Ram, the ashram elephant, was led into Amritapuri’s large hall at about 8 a.m. this morning. The waiting devotees received Him with expressions of joy, for today was His birthday, Ganesha Chaturthi. Standing within an area cordoned off by elaborate kolam designs (decorative patterns…
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Guru Purnima at the Ashram
13 July 2003 — Amritapuri No matter what one may say about Amma not being confined to the physical body, Her physical presence does make a difference. Anyone who has met Her will vouchsafe for that. But absence has the virtue of making the heart grow fonder. Those who participated in the Guru Purnima celebrations…