Category: AshramDiary
life at the Amritapuri ashram
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surprise devi bhava
yesterday came as a pleasant surprise. after the evening bhajans, a rumour started going around that amma would do bhava. i didn’t believe it. i knew there were two padapujas scheduled, usually done at the end of darshan. sometimes, during padapuja, amma is adorned with a silk sari and crown by the devotees. that happens
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Hundreds of tabla players finding rhythm
Tabla is relatively new as a musical instrument in India. Traces of its first origin go back to just 300 to 400 years. Since then, going through a continuous evolution in the shape of the instrument and its tuning and usage, it has become an essential instrument in the Hindustan traditional classical music. Tabla is
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There’s No Place Like Amritapuri-Home!
Within hours of my first day at Amritapuri (Abode of Immortal Bliss) four years ago, an immediate, warm familiarity overtook me, a déjà vu of which I had never experienced before. My whole being felt cocooned in the love that this sacred land holds. I knew then that I had arrived home – that this
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Arcana of the copper pod tree
This morning I did Arcana with the copper pod tree! The familiar tree almost on every street in the cities blooms its innumerable bright yellow flowers in its own time, and in its own selected branches. Just like Tumban and Bhakti display dog-qualities plus special qualities, the tree to the left-front of Kali Temple in
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We are here to kidnap Amma
Vaishnavi and Valsala are twin sisters. They are from Amrita Vidyalayam, Davengere (Karnataka). They came as part of a group from their school to visit Amritapuri and get Amma’s blessings. It was their first meeting with Amma. The meeting just blew them away… “There is so much energy, so much love, I feel like crying,
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Little Lalita’s determination
Sitting near Amma saw another amazing baby interaction. New York Abeda comes to sit for meditation on stage during Amma’s darshan holding her one and a half year old baby Lalita.Lalita, however, has other plans… no sitting quietly for her. She wants one thing and one thing only – to get to Amma. It doesn’t
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Tsunami twins
This afternoon, while on stage, there was a bit of commotion near Amma. The photographer and videographer were nudging for a clear view of two young children who were coming up for darshan. As I was near the chair, I managed to get a close look at the scene. The boy and girl were adorable,
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Christmas Carols from around
Christmas Day in Amritapuri was celebrated with a 1-1/2 hour set of Christmas Carols from around the world sung while Amma was giving darshan on the stage. Groups from the US and Europe, sang traditional carols in their respective languages accompanied by keyboard, zither, bells, and clarinet. 18 carols were sung in all with words
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When is it going to snow?
Over 1800 foreign visitors from around the world have come to Amritapuri to celebrate Christmas with Amma. Festive decorations and lights adorn the International Canteen, and a small tree with a nativity scene lies at the base of the stairs to Amma’s room. Close to 150 children of different nationalities make up part of this