Sea of Devotees throng the Math to get Hugs & Blessings from ‘Amma’ Amritanandmayi Devi held at Amrita Vidyalayam Campus Hall, Sulthan Battery Road, Boloor, Mangaluru on 20 February 2018.
Mangaluru: Aum Amriteshwaryai Namah! The day that the devotees/fans were waiting to have close encounters of Sri Mata Amritanandmayi Devi finally arrived when thousands of devotees/fans of “Amma” converged at the “Amritasangama 2018” and “Brahmasthanam Kshetra Mahotsava”, which was launched here in the City on 20 th and will culminate tomorrow on 21 February 2018. At Brahmasthanam Kshetra, Special Poojas such as Navagraha Homa, Bhagavathi Pooja, Alankara Pooja, Mahasudarshana Homa and other Archanas will be performed from sunrise to sunset and included in the “Udayasthamana Seva” during the 2-day event, where thousands of devotees of “Amma” from far and near had converged at the mega event.
The programme began with special prayer song, followed by welcome address by Prasad Raj Kanchan-President, Mata Amritanandmayi Seva Samithi, Mangaluru. The chief guest for the occasion was Dr. Mahesh Sharma at present is the Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture (Independent Charge), Government of India with guests of honor namely- MLA J R Lobo; Anant Kumar Hegde-Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship; Pramod Madhwaraj-State minister for fisheries, sports and youth affairs; MCC Mayor Kavitha Sanil; among other VIPs. The venue was packed with thousands of Amma’s devotees and fans,including a majority of foreigners who had come all the way from USA, Russia and other European countries.
The formal function which commenced at 11 am included the : Distribution of Wheelchairs for physically disabled; Scholarship for economically weak but talented students; Distribution of Waste Disposal Bins as a part of Swachh Bharath Initiative to Schools; Recognition of Amrita Sree the self help group promoted by Mata Amritanandmayi Math; Contribution of Sports and games material to Gandhinagar Government Higher Primary School; Release of Book titled “Karunya Theera”; and Release of Special Envelope and Amma Stamp by “Amma” along with the dignitaries on the dais.
Addressing the gathering Union Minister Sharma said, “I was specially sent by PM Narendra Modi to represent India at this event here, and our PM is a big fan of Amma. It’s ice to see a huge crowd here, which shows that there are a huge followers of Amma who is doing a yeomen service to the society. You should know that Amma is doing a Godly service through her activities not only in India but in many foreign countries. Amma has said that Serving the world with love and cooperation, you will find your own true Self. As you help those in need, selfishness will fall away, and without even noticing you will find your own fulfillment. We all should follow in her footsteps and make a difference in the community. We call rivers as Amma, Cow as Amma and many other figures, but today amongst us we have genuine Amma who cares and loves human beings irrespective of caste and creed. What a mother can do for her her children, so does this Amma. While concluding I bring regards from PM Modi to all the people gathered here”.
Anant Kumar Hegde addressing the crowd said, ” To make a great service happen you have go through various hurdles and hardships, but once you accomplish it you will have the greatest memory in your life. If one looks closely at the many humanitarian services provided by the Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM), they will see that they are in truth simply an extension of what Amma has been doing since her childhood—taking care of the old, the poor, the neglected, the suffering. There are welfare programs for widows as well as care homes for the elderly; free food, clothing, and homes for the needy; an orphanage; assistance for tribal communities; and post-disaster relief efforts. Not to mention free medical services and hospices. Indeed, Amma’s humanitarian services are an extension of her love, an extension of her darshan — ever-expanding and giving solace to more and more people every day. We see our Sadhus and Priests, but how many of them allow you to touch them, but our Amma embraces every one one, hugs and kisses them. Let her blessing bring happiness and prosperity to every one gathered here”
Minister Pramod Madhwaraj also taking said, ” In our lives we now we have two mothers- one that gave birth to us, and the other who treats everyone like her own children- and this is our “Amma” Mata Amritanandmayi Devi. The service done by Amma has been appreciated not only in India but all over the world. Amma teaches that selfless service with compassion is the foundation of all other spiritual practices. Service for the sake of service is like love for love’s sake – at the peak of every sacrifice made in love, is the source of pure joy. So, who is giving and who is receiving in this seemingly endless, inspirational gift of Amma to all of us? Like her darshan, it is open for everyone to be so embraced. We need to follow the ideology and teachings of Amma and change the society that we live in. “
Suresh Amin proposed the vote of thanks, while Dr Ashok Shenoy- secretary at Amrita Vidyalayam compered the function very professionally. Following the formal function, there was Amma’s darshan, and those who had Darshan tokens had close encounters with Amma. As a part of festivities there is also Public Anna Santarpana; At the Yajnashala Venue there will be Bhajans, Meditation, Ammas discourse, Manasa Pooja and individual darshan to all.
It is learnt that Amma came to Mangaluru for the first time in 1995 when the programme was organized in the Town Hall, Mangalore and Bhagavathi Temple, Sasihitlu. Since then amma’s devotees have been intently involved in spiritual and social services. Amma has given the Brahmastanam for the people of Mangaluru in the year 2008 and this year is the decennial celebration of the consecration of the temple. In this temple the family of Lord Shiva is found engraved on four sides of a single stone, it is a unique type of place of worship. For more particulars contact: 0824 2457056, 8951470744
