19 March 2008, Kolkata

The calculated auspicious time for the Sthapana and Prana Pratistha was between 8.30 am and 10 am. I got up well in advance in order to be ready to experience the auspicious moment in all it’s splendor. Since we are far from South-India where the crowds for such occasions are huge, I decided to make the best out of the situation and went looking for a good spot from where I could witness the inauguration as close up as possible.

The sky was clear and a tranquil mood pervaded the ashram. Devotees were carrying chairs to sit on around the temple – an unheard of thing in most of the inaugurations that I have witnessed before, where the crowds are usually huge and resemble more a battleground than the peaceful outdoor theatre that was the scene this morning.

Amma came to the temple at 8.30 am looking radiant and full of Divine Power, ready to impart life to one more centre of Grace in the form of Her Brahmasthanam temples – temples where I am sure worship will continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. Who knows maybe in the future larger temple complexes will surround the nucleus of the original temple?

This time i was close enough to see even Amma’s face clearly and was very moved seeing the incomprehensible mystery that She embodies expressed for a fleeting moment on Her gentle features. Every now and then she glanced at the skies as if to ask for the blessings of the infinite force abiding in all nature. Next moment she would glance down at her devotees and children with such infinite love and humility. It is at such moments, moments that one feels most alive and everything falls beautifully into perspective. In the beautiful Bengal sky the eagles also appeared to give their blessing for the occasion. Next Amma came down and entered the temple to great excitement from the devotees. After some time the Murti was brought in as usual and the doors were closed leaving Amma, the pujaris and Sannyasins inside. I made my way close to the door in time to witness the abhisekam and partake of the holy water. Amma performed a long and elaborate abshisekam which was a treat to watch from such a close distance. At the end of the ceremony Amma went to each doorway to greet everyone gathered for the event and then, as gracefully as she had arrived she returned to her room leaving everyone reeling with happiness to gather flowers and share the holy water from the abhisekam.
A great day for Kolkata and a blessing for the whole of India, and the world at large.

One more thing, I over heard someone say that today was also the birth day of kolkata kali (bhavatarini temple). Maybe they just said this to add glory to the date of the installation, but what a co-incidence if it is true!

– Viswanath