"Smiling, Devi became a divine Radiance and merged with Me. My mind blossomed, bathed in the multi-colored Light of divinity, and the events of millions of past years appeared before My inner gaze. From then on, not perceiving anything separate from My own Supreme Essence - the only Unity, and dissolving in the universal Mother, I have renounced all sense of pleasure. The Mother told Me to ask people to fulfill the Destiny of their human birth. Therefore, I proclaim to the whole world the Sublime Truth that She has spoken: “O man, reunite with your supreme Essence!”
By her beautiful and selfless acts of love and self-sacrifice, Mata Amritanandamayi, who is lovingly called Amma ("Mother") or Ammachi ("Mother"), aroused love for Her in millions of living beings. By tenderly caressing Her “children” who come to Her, holding them to Her heart in a loving embrace, Amma shares boundless love with everyone. Young or old, sick or healthy, rich or poor - everyone who comes to Her receives the same unconditional love.
Born in a poor fishing village in Kerala, South India in 1953, her father made a living selling fish. Her mother said that this child was born not crying like ordinary babies, but with a radiant smile on Her face. She was given the name Sudamani - “Wonderful (“nectarean”) treasure.”
Even when She was still a small child, it was clear that She was unique. At six months She could walk and talk, and by the age of three She was constantly singing. By the age of five, She was composing beautiful, unusual songs and poems filled with deep meaning dedicated to Her beloved Krishna.
Sudamani fascinated and aroused admiration in everyone who was near Her. But as She grew, Her divine states of consciousness, including frequent meditative states, singing and ecstatic dancing on the seashore began to irritate Her family. At the early age of five, Sudamani was already the target of severe abuse. When She was nine years old, Her mother fell ill. Although Sudamani was the brightest student in Her class, She was forced to leave school and take care of Her entire family.
It was a grueling task feeding and clothing seven siblings and caring for the animals. In fact, She became the family's servant, starting work every day before dawn and ending at midnight.
Her job also included collecting food for the family's cows. She wandered through the surrounding villages, collecting grass, and visited neighboring houses, asking about waste vegetables or leftover rice porridge for the cows. During these times She saw many things that bothered Her. She saw how some people went hungry while others had more than enough. She saw that many people were sick and in intense pain, unable to afford even one painkiller tablet. And She noticed that many elderly people were neglected by their own families, and that they treated these elderly relatives rudely. Her empathy and compassion were so strong that the pain of others was unbearable for Her. Although She was still only a child, She began to explore the issue of suffering. She asked herself: why do people suffer? What is the underlying cause of suffering? And She experienced the presence of God within Her so strongly that She wanted to come and comfort those who were less fortunate than She.
In many ways, Amma's mission began then. She shared Her food with those suffering from hunger, and She washed and clothed the elderly who had no one to care for them. She was punished when She gave food and family belongings to the poor, but Sudamani did not stop performing Her acts of kindness. She took refuge in the solitude of the night, spending many hours in meditation and earnest prayer addressed to Lord Krishna.
During the day She carried His image in the pocket of Her blouse and constantly chanted His names. During Her teenage years, Sudamani was sent to relatives' houses, where She worked intensely for long hours, taking care of their household as well. While performing any of Her duties, She constantly chanted the name of Krishna and imagined that all the work She did was done for His sake. While sweeping the area around the house, She imagined that He could come at any moment. When She prepared food, She imagined that Krishna would appear as a guest at the table. Because of this, She never resented Her duties or was offended by Her family's insults, but only prayed to give Her more of the Lord's work.
The divine bhavas of the Holy Mother in the form of Krishna and Devi are beyond the reach of human intellect, and yet their thoughtful study allows us to get at least some idea of the infinite spiritual power of the Holy Mother. Responding to the sincere call of the devotee, the Perfect Master slowly reveals His infinite properties before the heart of the devotee. When the process of purification becomes intense, the greatness of the Guru, which is nothing other than the True Nature of the disciple or devotee, will gradually be revealed by the Grace of the Master. Grace, of course, is the primary condition for beginning to comprehend the meaning of the divine states of consciousness of the Holy Mother.
Amma once said the following about bhavas:
"The Mother does not manifest even an infinitesimal portion of Her spiritual power during the bhavas. If this power were manifested in its true strength, no one would be able to come even close!" She continues: “All the deities of the Hindu pantheon, personifying the infinite aspects of the One Supreme Being, also reside within us. The Divine Incarnation (avatar) can manifest any of Them for the benefit of the world through simple will. Krishna-bhava is the manifestation of Purusha, or the aspect of the Pure One. Being, and Devi-bhava is the manifestation of the Eternal Feminine, the Creator, the active principle of the Impersonal Absolute. There is one crazy girl, Who dresses in the attire of Krishna, and after a while - in the attire of Devi, but They both reside within this crazy girl. that all objects with a name or shape are just mental projections. Why is an elephant decorated? Why should a lawyer wear a black robe, or why a policeman wears a uniform and a cap? These are all just external aids designed to create a certain impression. in the attire of Krishna and Devi to enhance the spirit of devotion of the people coming for darshan. The Atman or Supreme Being that resides within Me also resides within you. If you can realize that Indivisible Principle Which eternally shines within you, you will become That."
Mata Amritanandamayi is one of the prominent Indian women gurus. The ashram she founded is called Amritapuri and is located in Kerala, 110 km away. from the state capital of Trivandrum, near the Kayamkulam railway station. The ashram consists of two sixteen-story towers on the banks of a canal in the middle of rice fields.
The ashram regularly holds services with the chanting of mantras and bhajans (sacred songs). Amma often leads evening bhajans herself. But the main highlight of the program is Amma's darshans, during which she hugs everyone who comes to her for many hours. For this she was nicknamed the “hugging saint.” Amma has many followers from the West and her ashram is open to everyone.
Amma is a saint of our days, a rare opportunity not only to hear about divine love from the lips of a saint or avatar, but also to feel the impact of this divine love manifested on the earthly plane. Amma's life is an outstanding example of bhakti, or love of God. She hugs thousands of people a day and gives living beings inspiration and comfort. The bhajans performed by Amma are the heavenly singing of the Devi herself, the Heavenly Mother.
Video darshan of Amma
Below you can watch a video with Sri Amritanandamayya (size 3.64 Mb).
Amma says that her appointment ashrams(centers) - to provide a place where people can “devote all their time and energy to remembrance of God, selfless service and the development of qualities such as love, patience and respect for others.”
Amma's first spiritual center was established in Amritapuri, Kerala, India, on May 6, 1981. Today, Amma groups exist in 33 countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, Asia and Africa.
At all of Amma's centers, her spiritual children gather every week or every month to practice the spiritual principles based on Amma's teachings, participating in various selfless service projects such as providing food to the poor and helping the needy.
Amritapuri, India
Amritapuri Ashram is the main center of Amma's Indian spiritual and charitable organization "Mata Amritanandamayi Math" (MAM) and the international center of the charitable association Embracing the World. It is also an international community of over 3,000 people. Permanent residents ashram include both monks and family people from India and abroad. Inspired by Amma, they dedicated their lives to achieving the goal of Self-Realization and serving the world. Here in Amritapuri they live near Amma, absorb her teachings embodied in her very life, practice meditation and perform selfless service.
Amritapuri is a place of pilgrimage where people from all over the world flock in search of solace, inspiration and inner peace. Every day in ashram Thousands of people arrive to feel Amma's boundless love. Amma works day and night, receiving all the people who come to her, meeting with students and volunteers who carry out numerous charitable projects Embracing the World. Every evening Amma sings spiritual chants and prays with everyone. Amma meditates several times a week with all the residents ashram, and also conducts spiritual conversations in the form of questions and answers. Public days darshana– Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday.
"Children, this ashram exists for the whole world, it belongs to you - to all the people who come here” (Amma).
How to get to Amritapuri
By Air: The nearest airports are Trivandrum (110 km south of Amritapuri) and Cochin (140 km north).
If you are arriving by train or bus, choose the nearest major cities as your final destination: Kayamkulam (12 km north of Amritapuri) and Karunagappalli (10 km south). From there you can take an auto-rickshaw to Parayakadavu village.
Registration
Foreign citizens must register before arriving in Amritapuri by filling out a form on the website. When registering, a place of accommodation is reserved and confirmation is sent by email. Using the form on the website you can also order from ashram a taxi that will meet you at the airport or pick you up from your hotel in Cochin or Trivandrum.
May 3rd, 2017
PRACTICAL TIPS
Amritapuri Ashram, Kerala. On the map
Amma gives darshan on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Amma's travel schedule. Dates when Amma will definitely not be in the ashram.
Ashram daily schedule.
You can get to the ashram from the Karunagapalli railway station - a tuk-tuk costs about 200 rupees, from Kayamkulam station - 280 rupees. The nearest major cities are Trivandrum and Cochin.
From the station I took a tuk-tuk and rode it to the entrance to the ashram, which is by the ocean. There is another entrance, near the bridge. A bridge over the river connects the ashram to the mainland. If you take a tuk-tuk to the bridge, it will be cheaper, but then you will have to walk across the bridge with your things. Or take a boat for 5-10 rupees.
Upon arrival, it is better to immediately take a coupon with a number for darshan. They will tell you what time it will be. It looks like the time will move to later. I had a ticket for 18, I got in after 21.
After this you need to check in (if you are not staying for one day). The Foreigners Registration Office "International office" is located opposite the entrance to the large Kali temple. It does not work around the clock and with breaks during the day. Fill out the form if you have not filled it out on the website before.
Upon registration, the passport remains in the office until departure. Payment 250 rupees/day upon departure. They give you a printout with the “address” of the room. Ask where this building is. My building was the first entrance of the building. The second entrance belonged to another building. Therefore, the guests did not reach me, they simply slipped through my entrance, which looked like the entrance to an office building. I asked to be accommodated with the Russians, and that’s what they did. The office will issue a memo with the schedule of darshans, bajins, satsangs and rules. Find out what time the tour will take you. This gives a better understanding of what is happening, the rules and the territory. I had it when I was 15. It was conducted by a wonderful Polish girl who spoke good Russian.
Bed linen is provided around the corner from the International Accommodation office.
Buildings of different heights, from 17 floors and below. If you stay on the upper floor, be prepared to wait for the elevator. The room has either bunk beds or mattresses on the floor. I had two beds. It is better not to take rooms under the roof (top floor). During the day the room heats up so much that no fan can help. As a result, my neighbor and I asked to be moved to another floor.
Drinking water in taps throughout the territory. You need to look for the inscription near the tap “Drinking water”. We had one like this on the first floor.
Garbage can be thrown into “garbage complexes” on the territory - several cans under a canopy, each indicating what kind of garbage it is intended for - food, paper, plastic, etc.
Food. There is a free cafeteria in the large hall. Breakfast 9-10, lunch 13-14, dinner 20-21. They give you thali - rice with different gravies and flatbreads. You can take the plate for the rice there (then wash it and put it back), but it’s better to take your own spoon, otherwise you’ll have to eat with your hands.
Free tea is served at 6am. On the left behind the large hall. You can find a place by the people flocking there.
There are paid Indian and European canteens on site. They are located next to each other. The European one has coffee and cakes. Prices are somewhere from 40 rupees.
There is also a “juice shop” - freshly squeezed juices for 40 rupees and milkshakes for 20 rupees. You can also buy fruits and vegetables here. Coconuts are sold separately.
You can also buy fruits and eat outside the ashram.
On the territory there are several shops, an ATM, a laundry, a cafe with Wi-Fi, a library, an information center, toilets, massage, a doctor, yoga, and an Internet center. And, probably, there is a lot more that needs to be asked. There's even a swimming pool. For swimming you need to wear something similar to a nightgown. Can be bought in the store.
The Seva Center is located on the second floor of the Kali Temple just opposite the stairs. He also works intermittently.
Train and bus schedules and routes can be viewed in the blue folder, which lies in a pocket on the wall to the right of the information center on the second floor of the Kali Temple.
Clothes in the ashram are closed and loose. No tank tops or shorts. Followers wear white clothes.
Photography is prohibited on the ashram premises.
(who is often called simply Amma) is a modern saint of India from Kerala, who founded and gives her name to Indians and foreigners. Amma means Mother, but she is also known as the Hugger, as Amma hugs her devotees and other people, giving her blessings in this way.
They say that Amma hugged lepers and cured them, they tell a lot of other things, but one fact is undeniable - Amma is revered as a saint, and a saint is the exception rather than the rule.
So, Amritapuri Ashram is located on the coast near Vallikavu, between Kollam and (Allepey).
Next, I will give a quote from the ashram website, which will put all the points in place.
Activities in Amritapuri
During her stay in Amritapuri, Amma usually holds darshan on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Selfless service (seva) is one of the main practices that residents of our ashram perform in addition to their other spiritual activities. We offer free meditation and yoga classes (subject to teacher availability). Guests are invited to participate in all types of daily activities of the ashram.
Warn in advance!
International visitors are kindly requested to inform in advance of their arrival by registering at www.amritapuri.org/v... . Indian visitors are kindly requested to send an email to: [email protected]. If you are traveling in a group of six or more people, please notify your arrival at least 7 days before arrival.
Registration and meals
If possible, separate rooms are available for married couples. The rest of the visitors stay in common rooms. All rooms are very simple, usually with a mattress on the floor and a bathroom with shower.
In addition to accommodation, you are offered food - simple Indian and European cuisine.
Attention! To stay in the ashram, you must have your international passport with you, as well as a copy of it and a copy of your visa.
Household supplies
Most of the household supplies (including sheets, pillows, mattresses, buckets) are provided by the ashram. However, you may want to bring some essentials (air mattress, earplugs, luggage lock, etc.) with you if you plan to accompany Amma on her trips around India. We also advise you to take with you the vitamin and protein supplements you need. You can purchase many other everyday items - clothing, toiletries and other household and household items - in the ashram store.
Services provided in Amritapuri:
Bank (currency exchange, receiving cash by card, money transfers)
Health facilities: holistic treatments, Ayurvedic hospital, Ayurvedic medical clinic and pharmacy, allopathic clinic
Location: Kollam, Kerala
Address: Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Amritapuri. p. o, Kollam, Kerala, South India, 690525. Telephone: (+91) 476 - 289-6399 / 7578 / 6278
Website: www. amritapuri. org
Email mail: inform@amritapuri. org
About the Ashram
The founder of the Ashram, Mata Amritanandamayi, who is called "Amma" or "Ammachi" (mother) by devotees, is today known throughout the world as an outstanding spiritual leader.
One of the many awards awarded to Amma is the “Ganda-King Award for Nonviolence”, which has been recognized by the international community more than 10 years ago. She warms thousands of her students with warm words, darshans and support, for which they come to her main Amritapuri Ashram, which is located in India, Kollam district, 110 km north of Trivandum.
It is a spiritual home for monastic disciples and devotees who have dedicated their lives to the service of God and the world, for students and visitors who come here from all over the world to have Amma's darshan, tell her about their worries, live under her guidance and find the meaning of life - to become Amma's child. She sees each and every one, listens to their worries and concerns, guides and instructs them.
The place where Amritapuri is located, reminiscent of a town in infrastructure, is secluded and very picturesque - the south Indian state of Kerala, which locals call the land of the gods.
There is a six-story temple complex, several hostel buildings, a darshan hall, two libraries, an Ayurvedic clinic, a swimming pool, canteens and cafes, a bank, a post office (opening hours: 10:00 to 14:00), a kindergarten, a laundry, an embankment and own garden.
The people living in the Ashram dress in all white, they are very friendly, hospitable and open to communication. Amritapuri - can receive up to 1,000 visitors, but the living conditions here are very modest, and you need to be prepared for this. While staying here, pilgrims participate in seva every day (in order to receive seva, you need to go to the Seva Desk), practice yoga, listen to lectures, and study the scriptures. But the main goal of all seekers is Amma's darshan - blessing through an embrace. They say that she hugs at least a thousand people a day. More than 50 thousand people gathered at the Ashram for Ammachi’s birthday, and she warmed everyone with her hug and said warm words. Devotees say that she hugged around 20 million people in her lifetime.
How to get there
From Delhi to Kayankulam (the nearest railway station to Amritapuri) - KERALA EXPRESS train No. 12626 (11:30 am). From Bangalore to Kayankulam - train KANYAKUMARI EXP No. 16526 (departs daily) From Mumbai to Kayankulam - trains KANYAKUMARI EXP No. 16381, NETRAVATI EXP No. 16345 There are also several transport companies in Bangalore through which you can purchase a bus ticket on the Bangalore-Thrindavam route ( these buses call at Kayankulam).
Payment and accommodation
Accommodation in one-room dormitory-type apartments (2-3 people) will cost you 150 rupees/day. Each of them has several mattresses, a shower room and a toilet. Bed linen is provided with a deposit of 500 rupees. You can ask for buckets and other cleaning supplies in the Office pantry.
Keeping the room clean is an indispensable condition of living in the Ashram. According to the administration and the visitors themselves, Amritapuri is considered one of the safest Ashrams in terms of hygiene. Everything here is disinfected and treated with bleach, which is why it is so important to maintain cleanliness. The administration requests advance notice of the arrival of groups of six or more people. The deadline for advance notice is 7 days.
You can eat for free in the Indian canteen (rice); for more fancy vegetarian food, go to the European canteen. One meal will cost you 30-50 rupees. Please note that catering establishments in Amritapuri are open only 2-4 hours a day, so keep an eye on the time. Ashram tea is free and served twice a day: at 6:00 and 16:00. The cost of the Internet cafe is 60 rupees/hour (outside the Ashram - 15 rupees/hour).
Sample daily routine
4:50 - 6:00 Archana
8:00 - 9:00 Meditation
9:00 - 9:30 Breakfast
10:00 - 13:00 Seva
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch
14:00 - 18:00 Seva
18:30 - 20:00 Bhajans (traditional singing of songs of devotion to the Lord)
20:00 - 21:00 Dinner
Archana is the repetition of 1,000 names of the Divine Mother. The day at the Ashram begins with it and continues with seva (selfless service), yoga, meditation, study of scriptures, lectures and relaxation. The daily routine may vary depending on the season. However, the given schedule remains valid whether Amma is in Amritapuri or not.
Details of meetings and events are available every day on the notice board near the Information Office. If Amma is in the Ashram, she gives darshans on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Morning darshans usually take place at 11 am.
On Tuesdays and Fridays there is meditation with Amma. On Sunday there is a special darshan of Devi bhava. During services, Amma reads mantras, sings, she reaches an ecstatic state, raises her hands to the sky and shouts out the names of the Gods. During Devi Bhava, Amma dresses in special clothes and a crown and goes into a trance, personifying the image of the Mother Goddess. For many pilgrims this is a moment of deep spiritual experience. We recommend that first-time visitors to the Ashram also sign up for a tour, which starts every day at 17:00 in front of the international office (main temple, second floor).
Rules of conduct in the Ashram
- Upon arrival at the Ashram, each pilgrim is required to register with the Foreigners Registration and Accommodation Office. Your passport must be kept here throughout your stay.
- You should check out of the hostel only during Office hours; if you are forced to leave at night, please notify us in advance.
- In the Ashram, refrain from verbosity and idle talk. This will help you keep your mind turned inward.
- It is prohibited to publicly express signs of personal relationships on the territory of the Ashram. In particular, hugging, kissing, holding hands and more intimate relationships are prohibited, since celibacy is part of spiritual practice.
- The use of nicotine, alcohol, intoxicating and narcotic substances, and non-vegetarian food (including eggs) is strictly prohibited.
- Dress in clean, modest clothing that covers your arms, legs and body. Shorts, T-shirts and short skirts are not suitable clothing for Amritapuri.
- The ashram allows pilgrimages with children. However, in this case, it is strongly recommended to have all the necessary medications and things with you. You can purchase essential items for adults in stores located on the territory of the Ashram.
- Photography, video shooting and the use of mobile phones are prohibited.
- The Amritapurti administration does not recommend visiting the area around the Ashram. Before you plan to visit any local attractions, check with the Office for advice about the activity.
- After sunset, visiting teahouses and the beach is not recommended. Swimming in standard Western-style swimwear is not permitted.
