Category: Festivals
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Four lakhs saris is not a joke
Amritavarsham’62! On this special occasion of our beloved Amma’s birthday we got an opportunity to interact with Brahmacharini Soumya and a MTech student, Swati Negi, who are coordinating the gifting of sarees to the poor people and all the projects related to women empowerment. “Since many years Amma is doing Vastradaanam during her birthday celebrations” said Bri Saumya. “This year we are giving around four lakhs of sarees and it is mainly for the AmritaNidhi pension scheme beneficiaries of the villagers. MAM has adopted 101 villages, for all the women in those villages, and also for the mothers of students…
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Fresh vegetables for Delhi Brahmasthanam
A large tract of land near Delhi (Faridabad) has been acquired for a new Amrita Hospital and University. Until construction begins, Amma has instructed the land be used for farming. More than 50% of the 1000+ kilos of fresh vegetables to be served during her Delhi Program will come from this farm. An additional blessing for all who attend and take a meal. – Scotti
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Remover of obstacles
Under intermittent showers and sunshine, the Ganesh murti arrived in Amritapuri in the late afternoon of August 28th. The “Remover of Obstacles” was carried from the Ayurveda beach accompanied by enthusiastic singing and the majestic Lakshmi the elephant, wearing her festival regalia. The procession passed along the beach road of Amma’s natal village and the locals smiled and clapped along with the songs as the group passed by. The ice cream vendor rang his bell in time with the music and the drivers of vehicles stopped by the procession were seen jiving to the beat as well. After all, how…
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Pongal at Amritapuri
Sankranti is a solar festival; Sun changes his path to northward (solstice). The day is celebrated by different cultures differently all over India. In South India it is also called Pongal as it is associated with the harvest. The day is dedicated to worship of Nature. Amma often remembers this festival from her childhood as one that shows us how our ancients revered Mother Nature. Three days were exclusive pongal days: the first day was the ritualist beginning with cleaning up and white washing of houses, and worship of the family deity; as special food offerings are made to the…
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Amritapuri Ganesha ki JAI!
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…
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Necessity is the mother of invention
With Amma’s sweet instructions not to be spendthrift, and to use only indigenous flowers , the pookalam aspirants now have less but more sensible choices before them. As a result they have become more creative than ever. Using the flowers as a whole, without plucking at their petals, the young aspirants –this time both boys and girls-have stumbled upon more innovative creations. A small bright flower sits within the lap of a big flower thus giving a different distinct appearance. Take a closer look at it yourself!!!! -Sandhya
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Deeper Lessons on Onam Pookkalam
Onam brings with it many special joys. The early preparations for this happy event make it a festival of flowers. Floral decorations adorn every household. With time the fine ritual like any other begins to assume the shape of a bane practice. Unfortunately, neglecting to grow flowers, people begin to buy flowers in huge competitive proportions. Blinded by the beauty of flowers, they sadly sever the petals from flower inflicting pain on the plant. In Amritapuri, as per Amma’s sweet instructions, young girls of the ashram go out around the premises collecting flowers grown by the ashram. A few morning…
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This is how it should be
Even as the Ramayana month, or Karkataka masa, of the proverbial heavy rains, ended with scanty irregular showers, Onam set in, bringing in joy. It reminds one of Shelley’s famous line, “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” Here is all color. Amma is right now residing in the heart center of the world, Amritapuri. Some years ago when Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham students created large pookkalams infront of Amma’s doorstep, Amma was delighted to see nature’s beauty laid by those whose hearts had come together as one. Furthermore, Amma showed them, through pookkalam design, the meaning and relevance of…
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shyam ke ye leela ko dekh
8 mar 2012, amrtapuri early in the day it was very much in the air that amma may play holi. when? no one knew. i saw some devotees walking around with some colour powder. so it was obvious that something might happen. but when? no one knew. remember? back in 2007, in mysore, one devotee took powder hiding under her sari while going for darshan and she she took out the powder and smeared it on amma’s cheek. she gave amma the rest of the bowl. then amma started smearing golden yellow colour on everyone who was coming for darshan.…