14 Mar 2025, Amritapuri Ashram
Holi—the festival of colors and the joyous herald of Spring—was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Amritapuri. Marking the victory of good over evil and the end of Winter, the entire Ashram transformed into a vibrant canvas of color, love, and devotion.
After darshan, Amma sang three bhajans dedicated to Holi, filling the atmosphere with divine energy. Devotees from North India, following the tradition of Vrindavan, garlanded Amma and gently smeared organic color powder on her face, just as the gopis would do with Sri Krishna.
Amma then took a pichkari (water sprayer) and playfully sprayed colors on those around her. As the joyous laughter echoed through the hall, she picked up a large color-spray gun, filling the air with a thick cloud of color. For a few moments, the entire scene was lost in a magical haze of pinks, and red.
Amma’s mischief continued as she joyfully threw water balloons into the crowd, and each devotee who was hit leaped with delight. The spirit of Holi was complete as Amma lovingly fed sweets to some, blessing them as part of the traditional celebration.
Even after Amma left, the Ashram remained alive with festivity. Devotees took handfuls of color, smearing it on each other’s faces, filling the air with laughter and camaraderie. Water pichkaris continued spraying, and the celebration carried on late into the night, a true reflection of the boundless joy and unity that Holi represents.
-KaliCharan
