Before coming to Mangalore, i had made a resolve that I would find a spot near the spigot where the Tirthum (Abhishekham water) would flow out of the Temple.  Inside the Temple, Amma was going to pour a few dozen pots of sacred water imbued with herbs and sacred mantras.  The murti’s first Abhishekham – for Devi, for Shiva, for Ganesh, for Rahu.  I wanted to bathe in that water, to gulp it down fully, to imbibe it as if my life depended upon it.

When Amma came down from the platform and went inside, the doors to the inner sanctum were shut.  Only a few pujaris, Swamiji, and Swamini were permitted inside. We anxiously waited outside for the doors to re-open.  Bodies were pressing against each other, necks straining for the best vantage point.  I had my spot about two people from the spigot, with a somewhat unobstructed line-of-site where the door would open and hopefully offer a view of Amma.

When the doors first opened, there was Amma – her face beaming out at her children.  At once, the mass of bodies around me moved in unison as everyone shifted to improve their view.  Amma looked much like she does during Devi Bhava in the west – her grin, her cheeks, her eyes – that extra special energy of love and divinity shining forth at her children gathered outside.

Then the doors closed again.  A group of about 8 Brahmacharis then appeared carrying the Murti to the Temple and circumambulated the Temple.  It weighs about a half ton.  We are told, and it is well known that inside the Temple, Amma herself lifts this alone onto the platform where it will sit.

Then about two dozen people arrive with pots filled with the sacred water.   And we wait for the doors to re-open and for Amma to begin.

The drums and horns have been playing continuously.  They are about 8 feet behind me.  It’s hot. Half my body is in the sun, half in the shade. I’m sweating.  I’ve been on my feet for maybe an hour or so.  But I don’t care.  When the tirthum starts flowing, I am there.   It will happen.

There are two or three women between me and the spigot.  All of a sudden, I see them scrambling.  The water is coming.  Somehow the bodies shift as the women in front of me get their fill and move away.  I’m right there.  I cup my hands and partake. Three huge gulps.  Then over my head.  Handfulls. I stopped short of putting my head underneath then .  I took a few more sips.

Out of nowhere, dozens of cups and water bottles were passed forward and I found myself helping to fill each one.  A bucket was underneath collecting the rest.  The doors were opened and the empty pots were being passed out and passed overhead to one of the brahmacharis.  One hit me in the face.  I didn’t care.  I was in bliss.

I stayed there for about half an hour filling the bottles.  Amma was inside, the doors were opened, but I couldn’t see her from my vantage point.  I backed off and looked inside. There was Amma – even more looking like she does on Devi Bhava.

Then it was over.   Amma came out of the Temple, and headed back to her room.   I circumambulated the Temple, and sat for a while taking in what had just happened.

I was in bliss the rest of the day.

Sri Pati
18-Feb 2008, Mangalore