Amma’s 54th Birthday Celebrations in Amritapuri
27 September 2007 — Amritapuri
The celebrations on the day of Amma’s 54th birthday began at 5:00 a.m., with the performance of Maha-Ganapati Homa at the celebration grounds on the Amritapuri campus of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, just across the backwaters from the Ashram. The puja was conducted by renowned pujari Brahmasri Surya Kaladi Jaya Suryan Bhatathiripad.
At 7:30 a.m. Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri gave a satsang, discussing many of the experiences and insights he has imbibed during his 30 years as a disciple of Amma.
Amma came down from her room in Amritapuri at 8:45, whereupon she was driven to the backwaters. There she entered a boat and was taken across. Thousands of devotees and ashramites watched as Amma as she crossed the river, watching her as she took in the sites to the north and south.
When Amma arrived on the dais, 150,000 people were waiting for her. The pandal was overflowing with people of all ages and nationalities.
Swamiji then performed Sri Guru Pada Puja as he chanted Amma’s 108 names. 150,000 people chanting “Om Amriteswaryai Namah” in response after he said each name. Upon the ceremony’s completion, Amma was garlanded by all of her senior disciples, as well as by her mother and father.
It was then time for Amma’s birthday address. Amma’s talk focused on how to attain real happiness in life, and pointed out many problems society is currently facing and how to remedy them.
—Tulasi
