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Navaratri, Dussehra and the Ramayana
Navaratri highlights the principles elucidated by the Ramayana. This is hinted at in the other name by which Vijaya Dashami is known in India, Dussehra. “Dussehra” is derived from “Dasha-hara”, which means “victory over the ten-faced one”. This ten-faced being (Dashamukha) is none other than Ravana, Lord Rama’s adversary. His ten heads symbolise the ten…
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Ganesh Chaturthi Festival
One of the most anticipated and lively festivals in India, Sri Ganesha Chaturthi is dedicated to the beloved elephant-headed god, Ganesha. Worshipped throughout the world wherever large Indian populations are found, the fervent devotion and colorful celebrations which attend this festival reveal just how vital Ganesha is to the spiritual heartbeat of India. Even though…
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The origins of the festival of Onam
In ancient times, there was an extremely powerful king by the name of Mahabali; he ruled the three worlds. He was a righteous and generous king. King Mahabali’s one major flaw, which marred his spiritual stature, was the arrogance he felt when giving in charity to his subjects. He was very proud of the fact…
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Ram’s temple darshan
28 July 2000, AmritapuriIt seemed a day like any other here in Amritapuri i.e. a day full with Amma: Mother sat for meditation for a while, threw pebbles at a few sleepy meditators, then gave satsang for an hour or so. Then Amma began singing a bhajan: “He Giridhara Gopala!” She sang, and “Rrrrraaarrrgh!” came…
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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…
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Legends of Ramanathapuram
Sthala Puranas of Bharat Ramanathapuram—or Ramnad—is located approximately 50 kilometres from the island immortalized as “Rameswaram” after Sri Rama’s army built a bridge from it to Sri Lanka in order to rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana1 . But Ramnad is not only significant for its proximity to Rameswaram. It has a rich spiritual…
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Realise who you are
Question: “It is said that in the spiritual path one needs to have a Guru? Who is Amma’s Guru?” Amma: “As far as Amma is concerned, every object in the world is Her Guru. Guru and God are within every person. However as long as the ego is dominant, one fails to be aware of…
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US Yatra 2000
June-July 2000, US Cities Seattle, Washington Because of the ever-increasing number of people coming for the programmes both the public programmes and the retreat were held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, in the north of the city. On Saturday afternoon, after the meditation, Amma served dinner to every devotee and then sat at the table…
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Amma, the Love that Transforms: Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Inauguration of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in 1998 Inaugural speech of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the occasion Her Holiness Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, His Excellency the Governor of Kerala Justice Sukhdev Singh Kang and other distinguished guests on the dais, sisters and brothers, Keralathile priyapetta sahodarisahodaranmare,ningalkente sneham niranja koopu kai.കേരളത്തിലെ…