This afternoon, to the rhythmic ceremonial drumming of the Parippally Panchavatyam ensemble, and accompanied by the ashram elephant, Laxshmi, our beloved Ganesh murti rolled out the ashram gate to the sea. Before that he was offered one more round of rousing bhajans and arati at the kalari and then a big procession took him to the temple to offer his pranams to Amma. Amma was, of course, giving darshan, but she paused to acknowledge him with a long look and glowing smile. Slowly, he backed away (carried by some students) and returned to his cart for one more parade through the ashram and out the gate. It was the usual diverse group of about 50/50 locals and internationals. The orange Ganapati looked spectacular in his yellow shawl against the purple background of his cart and wearing purple and pink flower garlands. The murti always seems to look a little different after the 10 day festival, the eyes seems softer and less distant, the colours seem to glow brighter after all the joyous worship.

On the beach, near the Ayurveda Building, about 20 western men who were strong swimmers, waited to immerse the murti. The sea was roaring, but the men looked like dolphins, plunging through the waves. As the conch sounded, Ganapati moved to the sea and into the arms of the men who would immerse him beneath the waves. The crowd fell silent. One couldn’t help feeling a little sad to see him disappear, even though we knew it represented the form of Supreme Consciousness dissolving into the formless Supreme Consciousness. A journey taken by all forms. The ritual concluded with prayers for the well being of all beings.

So now the two big festivals of this season have concluded. We offered our vasanas as the floral arrangements at Onam and reminded by the story of King Mahabali, worked at reining in our egos as well. We worshiped Ganesh as the embodiment of Supreme Consciousness and prayed for our obstacles to be removed, both on the spiritual and material planes. Now full attention turns to the preparations for AV60 and we hope that a few prayers to Ganesh that the rains will stop, so construction on the venue can speed up, will bear fruit!

Last night on the way to bhajans, we picked our way through a large crowd of fresh arrivals from North India. Some were in Q at the Indian Accommodation Office, while others waited under the nearby banyan tree with their luggage. Even after their long train journey, they looked so fresh and happy to be here. Luckily for them, it was a bhajan night with Amma, and she welcomed them with Marathi and Hindi bhajans. They are the first big wave of devotees from the subcontinent arriving for AV60. The excitement is rising!
Rta
Amritapuri