Amrita Setu was put to its first test this morning. But it was no tsunami warning. Instead, it was a Procession of Love as about 1000 or so ashramites followed Amma as she crossed the bridge over the backwaters to Valikkavu where her car was waiting. Amma was leaving for the North Indian Tour and will not be back in the Ashram for at least 5 weeks.

Earlier this morning, around 5:30am, about 400 or so Westerners and Ashramites left by bus for the 12+ hour trip to Mananthavadi where the first programmes will be held starting tomorrow. Even before the buses departed, a group of devotees had gathered at the base of Amma’s room – hoping to catch a glimpse of her before she left.

Around 10:30, Amma came down the stairs. Amma took a short cut past the Kalari and the brahmacharini’s building. At that point, throngs of people began scurrying to find a place along the route that Amma would walk to the bridge. People would run ahead to find a spot, look back to see if Amma was approaching, catch a glimpse, then scurry further ahead to do the same. It was like leapfrog of sorts with the lineup of people forming and disassembling as Amma walked.

Amma stopped and spoke with her parents before continuing on to the bridge. Already people had lined the steps of the bridge in anticipation of her crossing.

Amma’s car was waiting on the other side right at the base of the stairs. Hundreds of devotees stood on the stairs – not an empty space was to be found. Before She got in the car, she looked back at her children, raised both hands in the air, and waived goodbye…..

Sri Pati
25 February 2007