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Archana

10,000 Perform Archana to Open Amritavarsham50 24 September 2003 Chanting the Lalita Sahasranama At 5:00 a.m. on 24 September, Amritavarsham50 opened in the main pavilion, Amriteswari Hall. More than 10,000 devotees were in attendance to take part in the morning prayers. The Mata Amritanandamayi Math’s Swami Amritageetananda performed the traditional arati, waving a burning camphor […]

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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 […]