As one enters Mata Amritanandamayi Devi's Amritapuri Ashram, one is treated to devotional songs and Amma's, as Mata is fondly called, spiritual discourses. In her steadfast social service of two decades, Amma has counselled and consoled millions of people from across the globe. She has wiped their tears, taking on herself the burden of their sorrows. With that personal touch, empathy, tenderness and deep concern, she bares each one's soul. Her spiritual appeal, guilelessness and charisma - which all come to her so naturally - work as an elixir for the unhappy and the content alike. No wonder an increasing number of devotees visit the ashram headquarters in Kollam District, Kerala, and its many branches and service centres all over India. Of late, Amritapuri has become an international pilgrim centre. With foreigners, who come to Amma's ashram seeking peace of mind, sit the poor for their meals. Also, every year hundreds of deserving students enroll at various educational institutions of the ashram with scholarships. However, the main attraction of the ashram is Amma's simple yet lively talks replete with vivid illustrations of her own incomparable life.

The ashram Rules to stay in the Ashram Amma's darshan Accomodation in the Ashram Amma's tour schedule Amenities in the Ashram Daily events at the Ashram Getting to the Ashram

The ashram

The once tiny ashram has now evolved into a sanctum sanctorum where thousands of devotees pour in each day for Amma's darshan, with many others seeking permanent refuge to engage in sadhana and selfless service under Amma's direct guidance. Amma, who travels to more than 20 countries every year, has more than succeeded in spreading the message of love and spirituality. She has led thousands of spiritual yajnas since 1987. And in 1993, at the Parliament of World's Religions held in Chicago, she was elected as one of the presidents of the assembly of global religions. The same year, Hinduism Today, an international journal on Indian culture, conferred the 'Hindu Renaissance Award' on her. Two years later, in 1995, Amma was invited to speak at the Interfaith Celebrations in New York to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. And she was again one of the attendees and speakers at this year's meet of global religions in Chicago.

Amma's darshan

Over the years, Amma's darshan has become more an more unique. As the embodiment of Supreme Motherhood, she welcomes every person who comes to her. She lends a patient ear to their problems, advises, guides and comforts those who are grief-stricken. Amma's darshan normally begins at 10.00 am on Sundays and Thursdays, and at noon on other weekdays, barring Mondays and Tuesdays. For, Monday is Amma's day to attend to the administrative affairs of the ashram and its institutions, and also to spiritually guide the residents. Every Tuesday, Amma spends her time meditating with the ashram residents to keep ablaze their spirit and intent. On Sundays and Thursdays, however, Amma sits for satsangs and leads bhajans at 5.00 in the evening, after which she receives the devotees in Devi Bhava Darshan. About the Bhava Darshan and its importance, Amma says: "All the deities of the Hindu pantheon representing the several aspects of the Supreme Being exist within us. One who is established in the world - Krishna Bhava - is the manifestation of the Eternal Feminine, the Creator, the active principle of the Impersonal Absolute. However, one shouldn't forget that all names and forms are mere mental projections. So why decorate an elephant? And why should a lawyer wear a black coat or a police officer a uniform and a cap? All these are merely external aids meant to create an impression. Similarly, Amma dons the garb of Krishna and Devi to strengthen the devotional attitude of her devotees coming for darshan. During Bhava Darshan, Amma will remove two or three layers (veils, so to say) for her devotees to catch a glimpse of the Supreme. Amma's intention is to help people reach the Truth. "The atman or the Self in Me is also in you. If you can realise the 'Indivisible Principle' shining in you, you will become 'That'," she says. (Read more about Mata Amritanandamayi in our Guru Section.)

Amma's tour schedule

Apart from these weekday darshans, Amma also visits various places in India frequently and travels abroad from mid-May to August, and from November to mid-December. Her tour schedule is regularly published in Matruvani, the Ashram's spiritual monthly. The planner is available at all the centres.

Daily events at the Ashram

And whether Amma is travelling or not, each day at the ashram begins at 5.00 a.m. with Vedic chants, the chanting of Amma's Ashtotataram (108 names of Amma), followed by Lalita Sahasranamam (the 1000 names of the Divine Mother). The Sahasranamam is chanted throughout the day, and the devotees are welcome to participate. The Ganapathi Homa is also performed every morning. Devotees are free to participate in other pujas and homas (fire rituals) to ward off their sufferings. Also part of the daily schedule is meditation in the mornings (8.00 am to 9:30 am) and evenings (5.00 pm to 6.30 pm). Spiritual discourses and scriptural classes by monastic members are also held regularly. At 6.30 pm, the ashram community gathers for an hour and a half of devotional singing, which is often led by Amma. On Thursdays and Sundays (Devi Bhava Darshan days) bhajan begins at 5.00 pm and goes on till wee hours of next morning.

Rules to stay in the Ashram

Such daily hectic activity at the ashram requires proper maintenance of the premises. For the purpose, the residents and visiting devotees cook and clean the place and also take care of the publishing work. Those staying at the ashram are encouraged to put in at least two hours of seva everyday.

Accomodation in the Ashram

Modest accommodation in the form of rooms and dormitories is provided at the ashram for visitors. Those who come in large groups are requested to inform the ashram authorities in advance about their visit. At Amritapuri, simple vegetarian meals are served three times a day, with the canteen opening on Sundays and Thursdays. There is also a café and a separate canteen for foreigners. A bookstall displaying various ashram publications, an Ayurvedic products counter, a general store and a cloakroom serve the visiting devotees.

Amenities in the Ashram

A charitable hospital, a public telephone booth, an extension counter of Dhanalakshmi Bank and the Amritapuri Post Office can also be found on the ashram premises. Visiting devotees and guests are requested to observe the traditional rules of ashram life - celibacy, modest dress code and soft speech. No drugs, alcoholic drinks, smoking or non-vegetarian food is allowed in the ashram premises. Video and audio recording is also strictly prohibited. Getting to the Ashram The closest major cities with airports are Kochi (120 km north of Amritapuri) and Thiruvananthapuram (120 km south). If you are coming from the north by bus or a train, get off at Kayamkulam (12 km north of the ashram), or Oachira (7 km north) and proceed to Vallickavu by a local bus. From Vallickavu, a 10-minute walk brings you to the boat jetty where a ferry service is available to take you across the backwaters to Amritapuri. The ashram runs a free ferry service for the devotees. Visitors coming from the south can get down at Karunagapally (10-km south) and take a bus to Vallickavu or Parayakadavu, the coastal village behind the ashram. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are also available from Kayamkulam. Oachira and Karunagapally-Parayakadavu route, directly connects to the ashram. As all trains do not halt at Kayamkulam, one can also disembark at Kollam junction (36-km south) and take a bus to Karunagapally from there. Postal Address: Mata Amritanandamayi Math Amritapuri, Kollam, Kerala, India Tel: (91-476)-896 179, 896 272, 896 399, 897 578 Fax: (91-476)-897 678 Website: http://www.amritapuri.org E-mail: MAM@amritapuri.org

- Saraswathy Srinivas

Personal Account Music of Love Read about Guru Mata Amritanandamayi Back to Ashrams