Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) embraces Atlanta
(Left) During darshan, attendees met Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) personally--here, one of the littlest attendees gets a hug. (Photos: Courtesy of MA Center)
A cool breeze of love and harmony swept through Atlanta, June 28-29, 2019, with the presence of Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma). Amma’s two-day visit to the Atlanta Hilton marked her third visit to the region. Thousands of people from the Southeast and other parts of the world had gathered inside, eagerly awaiting their experience of Amma’s powerful love, compassion, and selflessness.
(Left) Amma’s magnetic and graceful entry at the venue.
Referred to by Dr. Jane Goodall as “God’s love in a human body,” Amma has hugged more than 39 million people throughout her life, in a tireless gesture of compassion to uplift others. Amma’s time in Atlanta found her blessing everyone who came with her motherly embrace, including several dignitaries. These included the Consul General of India, Atlanta, Dr. Swati Vijay Kulkarni, who said, “Amma, your life is an example of the concept vasudhaiva kutumbakam, 'The whole world is one family.’ For you, meditation is as precious as gold, and compassion is the fragrance of your life. We are so blessed that you have made the Southeast a part of your itinerary.”
Amma receives a warm welcome from local devotees.
Chizu Hirata, a long-time devotee of Amma, flew all the way from Japan to be with Amma in Atlanta. "Amma energizes me," she said. "I feel very comforted and peaceful. It is very refreshing to be in Amma's presence."
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Amma leading bhajans. |
Mata Rani ki Jai. |
Aside from Amma's darshan, Amma also led the guests through satsang, devotional singing, meditation, and prayers for world peace. Free IAM Meditation and Amrita Yoga classes were also offered to the attendees. Music and dance groups from regional satsangs, including Atlanta, Knoxville, Raleigh, and Orlando, had the opportunity to present their artistic offerings before Amma. Atlanta's Amrita Bala Kendra chanted sacred Vedic chants. The members of the Orlando Satsang dressed as gopis of Vrindavan, offered love and devotion at the feet of Sri Krishna. And the Atlanta Satsang presented a vibrant Haryanvi folk dance to the tune of "Ma Kali." The peace, comfort and healing that Amma provided was tangible. The programs concluded with a prayer for a world peace that reverberated throughout the venue and beyond.
Atlanta is just one of 10 cities on Amma's 2019 North American Tour. Each program is put together and facilitated by hundreds of volunteers. Local groups arrange everything, from the rental venue to the preparation of the food. All proceeds go to Amma’s worldwide charitable organization Embracing the World.
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Meditation. |
(Amma’s local center, MA Center Atlanta, is located in Cumming, GA. Along with free meditation courses, Amrita Yoga classes and spiritual teachings for children, MA Center Atlanta also undertakes several charitable activities in the area. For more information please visit amma.org/atlanta)
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