Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi
24 August 2008 — Amritapuri “Speaking about Sri Krishna is like introducing one to one’s self,” Amma told the thousands of people gathered in Amritapuri to celebrate Krishna Jayanti. The day had been filled with festivities—Go Puja1 in the morning, a procession of young gopis, gopas, Radhas and Krishnas in the afternoon, uriyadi2 until the […]
4 August 2005, Amritapuri This evening, when Amma reached Her room after bhajans, Ram and Lakshmi, the ashram’s two young elephants, were waiting eagerly for Her. It had been more than two months since they last got prasad from Amma. Both were chained. Previously, only Ram used to be chained. But now, Lakshmi, who used […]
30 January 2004 — Amritapuri Tonight is Kartika. As always on the night of Amma’s birth star, the ashram was alit with various lights and candles, in particular, the pathway Amma follows from Her room to the bhajan hall. Towards the end of the night’s set of bhajans, Amma surprised everyone by practicing a new […]
11 December 2003, Amritapuri As bhajans ended this evening and Amma left the stage, there was a race of eager devotees to Amma’s house. Amma almost always feeds Ram at the base of Her steps after bhajans, and with this morning’s arrival of Lakshmi, tonight’s elephant feeding promised to be a double feature. Ram was […]
10 October 2001, Amritapuri The soft light of pre-dawn, the calls of tropical birds waking to a new day, and otherwise silence. There is, in this stillness, a big crowd at the foot of Amma’s steps, because no one is sure just when She will leave for the airport, and everyone wants a last glimpse, […]
5 August 2001,Amritapuri Mother is still playing with Ram the baby elephant after bhajans, but the scene is changing, because Ram is growing! He is much bigger and seems to have matured, not that he is old but he does seem to have more dignity and a certain bearing. Now the crowds who gather after […]
24 September 2000, Amritapuri Amma’s last scheduled darshan at the ashram for the next two months. Crowds of devotees, eager to have Amma’s darshan before Her long absence, have been arriving in the ashram since the previous night. By 11 a.m. the temple is packed to capacity. Amma comes at 11:15 a.m., bows to the […]
15 September 2000, Amritapuri Mother comes down the spiral steps from the temple, and Ram is standing, facing Her as She walks across the yard. She draws abreast of him, calls out, ‘Ram!’ and stretches Her hand towards his trunk, which is already reaching towards Her. More like a puppy than an elephant, he follows […]
14 September 2000, Amritapuri The ashram is buzzing with activity, as preparations are being made for Amma’s birthday celebrations next month. Dust has been flying everywhere as the central ashram building, housing the temple and offices, and which provides accommodation to many, is being readied for a fresh coat of paint. The ‘dining hall’ at […]
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 […]