India 2009 Archives - Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

Silent Song of Amma’s Love in Trissur

23 – 24 April, Trissur – Bharata Yatra 2009

Amma held a two-day Brahmasthanam Festival here in Trissur. The Brahmasthanam Temple is situated on a plot of land that also includes ASHIS, Amma’s school for the speech- and hearing-impaired, along with an Amrita Vidyalayam school and a Working Women’s Hostel.

On the first evening, a special function included invited guests famous singer Shri. P. Jayachandran, dance maestro Smt. Kalamandalam Kshemavati, Shri. T. Ramakrishnan, MLA and renowned writer Smt. K.B. Devi. More than 100 children took the stage to receive educational scholarships as part of the Vidyamritam project. Shri. T. Ramakrishnan presented each child with their first cheque, and Amma embraced each one. Gathered together shoulder to shoulder, facing out toward the audience with hope sparkling in their eyes and precious scholarships clutched in their hands, the children seemed a microcosm of the 100,000 children across India who are receiving scholarships from Amma.

Presenting the scholarships, Shri. T. Ramakrishnan commented on the significance of Amma’s gifts to these children and to society in general. “In today’s society, the greatest poverty is lack of love. Even in the midst of wealth, we experience this poverty. Even though we are proud about all our material achievements, still we run here and there searching for mental peace. If unrest and conflict have become the curse of modern society, the root cause for this is the lack of love and faith. To restore that love and faith and thus restore peace in the world—this is the mission that Amma has taken. To those who are suffering, to those who are toiling, to them Amma has come as a consoling angel. Those students who are not able to study because of financial constraints, Amma is serving them the nectar of knowledge.”

Smt. K.B. Sreedevi, renowned Malayalam writer also shared her insights into the unique power of Amma’s message. “This is a moment where words are not necessary. After meeting Amma, when one’s heart becomes full, there is a scarcity of words… In order to make us understand who we are, Amma has given us a beautiful refrain: “my children.” This refrain can be interpreted in many ways. It contains eternity, the palpable sweetness of motherly love, and the intensity of responsibility. Addressing us in this way brings with it the possibility of throwing light in anyone’s heart—I know this. Amma’s voice creates an echo in our heart even after the sound diminishes. That is possible only for Amma.”

During both evening darshans, students from Amrita Vidyalayam performed various cultural presentations for Amma and the assembled devotees. One of the highlights was the dance performed by the hearing-impaired children of ASHIS. Unable to hear the music they were dancing to, they were guided by a specially trained instructor who used hand gestures to give them cues. Looking on, one never would have guessed that they were deaf to the music, as they danced for all the world like they were captivated by music—their hearts full of the song of Amma’s love.

– Tulasi

Our hearts must overflow with Love

20 – 21 April, Palakkad, Kerala – Bharata Yatra 2009

Amma held a two-day Brahmasthanam Festival here. Amma’s ashram in Pallakad is in a picturesque location, nestled among coconut palms and rice fields, the mountains of the Western Ghats rising impassively in the distant horizon. On both days, the ashram was filled to overflowing as Amma shared brief but tender moments with the thousands of devotees who came to receive her blessing.

Amma in Palakkad

During the first evening program, 100 children received Amma’s Vidyamritam educational scholarship.

Renowned Malayalam film director Shri. A.K. Lohidas was on hand to share his thoughts on the power of Amma’s love. “Amma’s compassion is like a magnet. When we receive this magnetic power, our hearts overflow with love. This overflowing should not stop. It should continue—share it with someone else. I believe sharing like that is Amma’s greatest goal.”

On the second evening, Amma personally led the devotees through the Sani Puja, along with her satsang, bhajan and guided meditation. So many devotees came for the puja that the place settings even spilled out onto the adjacent driveways leading in to the ashram. Most could see Amma either directly or on one of the many closed-circuit TVs provided for the occasion. Those that could not see either closed their eyes and sat peacefully immersed in the blissful atmosphere pervading the entire grounds as they listened to Amma’s words of wisdom, the sound of her chanting sacred mantras for their upliftment, and the sweet sound of her voice leading one and all in bhajans.

Simplicity of the Smile is powerful than 100 Presidents

17-18 April, Bharata Yatra 2009

Brahmasthanam Festival, Kochi

Amma’s programme here was a festival not only in name but in spirit. For two full days, the grounds were filled to overflowing with relaxed, smiling faces. An atmosphere of peace and good cheer pervaded as students and staff of Amrita University and AIMS Hospital worked side by side with local volunteers to serve the throngs of devotees and curious onlookers who attended the event.

ekm pgm

On the evening of the first day, an array of invited guests took the stage on either side of Amma. Guests included former UN undersecretary Shri. Sashi Tarur, Vice-Admiral Sunil Damle, Commander-in-Chief of the India’s Southern Naval Command, Justices Hon. P.R. Raman and Hon. K. Padmanaphan, Smt. Lakshmi Menon, Vice-President of the Indian Express Group, Shri. K. Babu, MLA and Dr. C.G. Krishnadas Nair, M.D. for Cochin International Airport.

In his speech, Justice P.R. Raman reflected on the importance of Amma’s focus and message in today’s world. “Spirituality is the basis of the greatness of a human being. We must have values in our life. Whatever be our field of action, value-based life is what is important.” Justice. K. Padmanabhan added, “Amma’s compassion and love is the catalyst for great and positive changes taking place in the world today. If we translate Amma’s teachings into our life, we can attain Realization.”

Shri. Sashi Tarur shared his insights about what in fact draws people to Amma from all over the world and from all walks of life. “Not just here but in a thousand places across the world the name of Amma is honoured and respected. Not because of any ideology, not because of any religious faith, not because of any cult but quite simply because of the power of love. We sit before her to gain from her the strength that comes from purity and simplicity of her smile and her hug. Through that, we find within ourselves the strength to rise above all the limitations of our daily lives to something higher than ourselves, something purer than the rest of the world offers. That is where her power lies and it is greater than the power of a hundred kings, of a hundred prime ministers, of a hundred presidents. The simple power of love is the power of Amma and like all of you, I too bow tonight before her strength, her simplicity, and her love.”

Smt. Lakshmi Menon officially released the Program Souvenir.

The speeches were followed by an expansion of both the Vidyamritam and Amrita Sree projects. Over 100 children received scholarships to cover their educational expenses under Amma’s Vidyamritam project. The scholarships were presented by Vice-Admiral Damle and Dr. Krishnadas Nair.

Justices Raman and Padmanabhan presented 10 new AmritaSree Self-Help Groups (women’s cooperative home-based businesses) with microcredit bank loans as start-up capital for their new businesses. The loans were negotiated and guaranteed by the Math. These new groups (each comprised of 20 women undergoing financial hardship) join 100 existing AmritaSree SHGs in Cochin.

Both days of programmes saw a litany of talented and captivating performances by students of both Amma’s Amrita Vidyalayam school and Amrita University Kochi Campus.

On the second evening of the programmes, Amma personally led the devotees through the Sani Puja, along with satsang, bhajan, and darshan for one and all.

watch photos of Kochi brahmasthanam festival here:

Amma’s Programmes in April

Amm’s Programmes in April

After the programmes in Nairobi, Kenya Amma will hold programmes in 3 Brahmasthanam temples in Kerala

17 -18 April 2009, Kochi
M.A.M. Kochi, Kunnumpuram (NH 17) Edappally North P.O, Ernakulam, Kochi 682024 Kerala Phone: 0484-2800682

20 -21 April 2009, Palakkad
M.A.M. Palakkad, Amrita Nagar, Puthur Palakkad 678001 Kerala Phone: 0491-2535 011

23-24 April 2009, Trissur
M.A.M. Trissur, Amrita Nagar, Ayyanthole, Panchikkal Trissur, Kerala, India Phone: 0487-2362700

Amma in Bangalore

24 – 25 Mar – Bharata Yatra 2009, Bangalore, Karnataka
The Brahmasthanam Festival was celebrated with lot of gaiety and enthusiasm in Bangalore. Ten elderly and physically challenged people were given monthly pensions as part of the Amrita Nidhi project. Many Amrita University students volunteered their time and energy to selflessly serve the crowds during the two-day festival. Since Amma has not visited the North Indian states this year, one could see a lot of devotees from the North attending the function here.

Students from Amrita University and Amrita Vidyalyam staged cultural presentations of various dances and Yakshagana during the two-day programmes in Bangalore. Students of Amrita University presented a wonderful music drama on Ramayana based on Sri Ramacharita manas of Tulsi Das.

Amma is a gift of God

7 March, Tiruvalla – Bharata Yatra2009

Amma was given a grand welcome at the Municipal Grounds in Tiruvalla, Kerala, for her second public program in the city on Saturday, 7th March 2009. Amma’s first program took place in this city nearly 20 years ago.

A colorful procession of the traditional art forms Panchavadyam, Kathakali and Padayani were presented as part of the reception.

Welcoming Amma to Tiruvalla, Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar Senior Metropolitan Philipose Mar Chrysostum said in his address that “This Amma of Kerala is a gift of God. Anyone who sees this huge gathering can gauge the magnitude of Amma’s influence and reach. God is love. Wherever there is love, God is there. What is real love? We come to understand it through Amma’s different seva activities.

“Most of the people have misunderstood love – those on the stage, those off the stage and even those who are standing far away. Love is giving with joy, that which you value, when it is needed by another. God has blessed Amma with the ability to understand human need and render appropriate help accordingly. As a result many other people are also inspired to join in the humanitarian efforts. All praise to God who has given us this blessing in the form of Amma. May Amma be a blessing to many more people.

“Some people sitting here (in reference to the foreigners) do not understand Malayalam, but they have the capacity to discern the person (Amma). But most of us know the language and yet are unable to know the person.”

In conclusion he expressed his heartfelt joy at Amma’s Tiruvalla visit and prayed that Amma live for many years showering her blessings on all.

Amma was garlanded by the reception committee chairman T.N.Upendranatha Kurup, Valiya Metropolitan of the Marthoma Church Philipose Mar Chrysostum, Transport Minister Mathew T.Thomas, C.S.Sujatha MP, Joseph M.Puthusserry MLA and municipal chairman Jacob Vanchipalam.

Several of MAM’s charitable projects were extended to benefit needy members of the Tiruvalla community: Vidyamritam scholarships were distributed to poor students by Philipose Mar Chrysostum and five women belonging to the poor families were given MAM’s special financial aid of Rs. 10,000/- by and C.S.Sujatha, MP. Transport Minister Mathew T.Thomas gave away financial support to 10 AmritaSreee self help groups.

Addressing the gathering, Amma said: “Love should be the epicenter of our life and all our deeds should move around it. A society with goodness was the need of the modern age. Imparting value education to children was needed to achieve this goal. This is the age of global recession and we should start financial management right from our home.” She called upon her children to act diligently without losing confidence and faith in God.

For one day, Amma had become the epicenter of the people of Tiruvalla. Since the early afternoon devotees had been waiting patiently to hear her enlightening words, listen to her heart-stirring bhajans and receive her warm embrace. Until 7.30 am the next morning Amma continued to give darshan to what had been the largest gathering the city of Tiruvalla had ever seen.

-Kannadi

View photos of Tiruvalla porgramme

Amma’s programme dates for March

Amma’s program dates for the month of March (3rd leg of Bharata Yatra 2009)

7th March – Sat
Tiruvalla, Kerala

Municipal stadium, Tiruvalla.

18 – 19 March ( Wed – Thu)
Mananthavady, Kerala

MAM, Amritagiri, Mananthavady Wayanad, Kerala – 670645 Phone: 04935241550

21 – 22 March (Sat- Sun)
Mysore, Karnataka

MAM, 114 7th Cross, Bogadi II Stage, Mysore 560006, Karnataka, Phone: (0821) 2542 682

24- 25 March (Tue – Wed)
Bangalore, Karnataka

MAM, 136, Ullal Cross Road, Jnana Bharathi, 2nd stage, (behind Bangalore University), Opp. Nagdevanahalli (B.D.A. Lay Out), Bangalore 560 056, Phone: 080- 28486767, Fax: 080 28439565,

Amma is a promise

21 Feb, Tanur, Kerala – Bharata Yatra 2009

Amma held a one-day programme in Tanur. It was Amma’s first visit here, and the large grounds were filled to overflowing–people had begun coming at 7:00 am to ensure they got a good seat for the evening programme. Onlookers could be seen spilling over into the yards of all the neighbouring houses and the neighbouring temple grounds. In the spirit of the festival atmosphere, the neighbours opened their houses and facilities to the devotees. Even before Amma’s arrival, folk dancers performed many traditional art forms in the grounds itself. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and again breakfast the following morning was served free to all who attended the programme.

Amma took the stage at 6:30 pm. Invited guests included renowned writers Akkitam Achutan Namboodiri and Srikumaran Thampi and C. Radhakrishnan.

The famous Kerala poet Akkitham Achyutan Namboodiri declared that the word Amma no longer holds meaning in Malayalam alone, but in all the languages of the world, as Amma renews the concept of the universal mother in the global consciousness.

Renowned film music lyricist Srikumaran Thampi reflected on how someone like himself who has been an avid student of science and was known as a progressive thinker had become Amma’s devotee–he said that whenever he is asked about this, he replies that Amma is the greatest progressive thinker he has ever met, that she teaches a progress which neither science nor literature, cinema nor politics can possibly impart. He declared that Amma’s life itself is an expression of this progress. “Amma is a promise – that the tears of the suffering shall be wiped and seeds of peace and truth sown in their hearts” Tampi reiterated.

Meanwhile, the great Kerala writer C. Radhakrishnan, compared Amma to the sun in her capacity to shower love and compassion endlessly and without expectation. “Amma alone is capable of giving such unconditional love. The meaning of the word Amma (Mother) encompasses both Mother and Guru. Amma is the one in whom we see the fulness of both. Mata Amritanandamayi Devi is the very embodiment of these qualities. Wherever there is sorrow Amma reaches out, giving love out of a store of love that remains undiminished even after encompassing the whole world.”

The District Collector distributed cheques to hundreds of smiling new recipients of Vidyamritam scholarships. Srikumaran Thampi helped to hand over sewing machines to new recipients of Amma’s AmritaSree economic development programme.

After the function, Amma gave satsang and led the crowd in bhajans. Throughout her talk, Amma stressed the importance of adhering to values in one’s life. Amma commented that without values, human beings become just like machines. At the conclusion of her satsang, Amma asked the crowd to reflect on how to minimize their environmental footprint. She told them to avoid using paper cups and to try their best to carpool. She also suggested that everyone could plant a vegetable garden in their own homes, and use the earnings from the sale of these vegetables to help those in need.

Amma’s darshan itself went on all night and late into the following morning. Earlier Amma had announced that for some with later tokens it would be a long night, and invited the crowd to eat the free dinner being served to one and all, and to rest in the nearby Amrita Vidyalayam school while awaiting their turn for Amma’s darshan. As this news is posted, Amma is still giving darshan. The sun rose on a new day to find Amma doing what she has done every day of her life–embracing, comforting and inspiring humankind.

– Kannadi

Watch photos here:

Amma in Mangalore

Mangalore, 18- 19 Feb – Bharata yatra 2009

Amma held two days of programmes at the Mangalore Brahmasthanam Temple. In addition to the regular programmes of satsang, bhajan, darshan and puja, Amma personally distributed sewing machines, educational scholarships and lifetime monthly pensions as part of her ever-expanding charitable projects. View photos here.