Mata visits Kottakkal

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http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/07/stories/2006010711140300.htm

 

Mata visits Kottakkal

 

Staff Reporter

 

Thousands gather for darshan

 

 

KOTTAKKAL: Mata Amritanandamayi gave darshan to

thousands of devotees who gathered at Rajas Higher

Secondary School grounds here on Friday evening.

 

The ground on National Highway-17 had become packed

much before the Mata arrived on her maiden visit to

Kottakkal. The visit was part of the Amrita Festival

organised by the Amritanandamayi Math.

 

Aryavaidyan P.K. Warrier, chief physician of P.S.

Varier Arya Vaidyasala, Kottakkal, offered the Mata a

`poornakumbham.' She was given a flowery reception on

arrival with an entourage of 700-plus disciples, many

of them foreigners.

 

She was treated to panchavadyam, pookkavadi and Teyyam

performances, while 101 conventional shots rented the

festive air.

 

At the function that followed, film actor Sreeraman

welcomed the gathering. Dr. Warrier, Minister for

Cultural Affairs A.P. Anil Kumar; B. Sandhya, DIG of

Thrissur range; and M.P. Gangadharan, former MLA, were

among those who offered felicitations.

 

Swami Amrita Swaroopananda Puri, vice-chairman of

Amritanandamayi Math, introduced the Mata to the

crowds.

 

Sessions on meditation and devotional songs followed

the inaugural function. An arati was performed in

honour of the Mata. The function also witnessed

distribution of the Amritanidhi pension scheme for the

poor.

 

A souvenir on Amrita Festival was also released on the

occasion.

 

The Mata blessed the devotees one by one. The

organisers had distributed tokens on a first-come

first-serve basis to smoothen the darshan, which

continued late into night.

 

The organisers said that all devotees seeking the

Mata's darshan would get it.

 

 

 

 

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