Category: Festivals

  • We were never born, nor will we ever die

    26 Sep 2002, Eve of Amma’s 49th Birthday The day before Amma’s 49th birthday celebrations began, Amma talked some with the ashramites. With all the birthday excitement in the air, it seemed She wanted to remind all assembled that, in truth, we were never born, nor will we ever die.  “The day that the thought…

  • Ganeshotsav at Amritapuri

    Ganeshotsav was celebrated in Amritapuri with great enthusiasm and devotion. The celebrations commenced on the morning of September 10, 2002 with Gaja Puja (worship of the elephant) in the new prayer hall. The ashram elephant Ram – adorned with sandle paste and the traditional golden head ornamentation – was worshipped as the form of Lord…

  • Guru Purnima with Amma in Amritapuri

    Today marked the second time in 15 years that Amma has been in Amritapuri for Guru Purnima, the day of paying homage to the lineage of Guru. And as Amma only arrived in India three days ago, it is as much homecoming as holy day – with thousands of devotees taking their first darshan of…

  • Navaratri celebrations

    Navaratri celebrations

    On the ninth day of Navaratri, a special program was held at Amritapuri for those devotees who are members of an Amrita Kutambam. An Amrita Kutambam is a formal group of ten families which meets regularly for satsang and service activities. Over 1000 devotees attended. The program, led by Br. Sivamrita Chaitanya, included satsang, archana,…

  • Kartika Puja

    6 October, 2001 According to the Hindu calendar, Amma was born in the month of Kanni under the Kartika star. This year, this day fell on the 6th October. That evening, while Amma gave darshan in the auditorium, the Kartika puja was held in the Kalari as it is every month under the Kartika star.…

  • A Night to Remember

    6 October, 2001 After watching several cultural programmes including a performance by renowned danseuse Kumari Kavya Madhavan, Amma left the stage and began walking toward Her room. A few of the ashram residents ran to Her steps, hoping for a glance or a smile as She walked by, but no sooner had She rounded the…

  • Festival Days

    6 Oct 2001, Amritapuri The festival atmosphere at Amritapuri stretched from Wednesday to Sunday morning, when Devi Bhava, begun the previous night at 8:00 pm, finished close to 11:00 am. In the days preceding Amma’s Birthday, the Ashram was transformed into a city of light. Local devotees teamed up to build several impressive structures, both…

  • Birthday presents

    6 October, 2001 While Amma would never take anything for Herself. She does make use of every opportunity to give to others in so many ways. This was even more evident on Her birthday. As she gave a laddu  to each of the sixty thousand devotees who came for Her darshan that day, these are…

  • Amma’s Birthday Celebrations 2001

    6 October, 2001 Radiating divine bliss and peace to all humanity, the birthday celebrations of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi were held in the Amritapuri Ashram on 6 October, 2001, in a festive atmosphere of fervent devotion, exuberant joy and deep gratitude. The beautifully decorated Ashram was filled to overflowing with devotees from around the world, who…

  • Amritanandamayi Jayanthi Jalotsav

    5 October, 2001 Racing boats cruising through the water, paddles splashing vigorously, sending droplets flying through the air like silver beads, and tumultuous cheers by thousands of viewers lining either shore of the Kayamkulam backwaters, transported the villages of Vallickavu and Parayakadavu into a great mood of gaiety and festivity. After prayers for invoking God’s…