Amritapuri Ashram

At the Mata Amritanandamayi Math in Amritapuri near Quilon, South Kerala, there is a beautiful temple that houses more than seven hundred full-time residents.

The day dawns early in Amritapuri Ashram (monastery) located in the backwaters of Kerala. At 4.30 a.m. in the morning, most residents are up and begin to involve themselves on various activities. While some take their shower, others clean the sandy yard outside the temple or cook in the kitchen for the large number of residents, or get the shrine ready for the morning worship. The roar of the Arabian Sea plays constantly upon one's ears, even as the temple bells chime to remind devotees about the chanting of the Divine Mother's thousand names (Lalita Sahasranama).

The main idol at the Amritapuri Ashram is that of the fierce Goddess Kali. Carved in black stone, she has her red tongue hanging fearsomely out, while she holds in her hand a sword. It is said that Kali can hack off the ego with great ease. Once rid of this, the greatest impediment to finding inner peace, the devotee is on his way to attaining self-realization.

To execute the teachings of the Holy Mother many devotees have chosen to give up their humdrum lives and follow the rigorous routine of the Amritapuri Ashram, where selfless service forms a large part of the daily routine. The Mother allows those who are more inclined towards introspection to meditate undisturbed for as long as they can, without expecting them to participate in the Amritapuri Ashram chores. Since prayer, meditation, and service are all paths to the same goal, the Mother leads her disciples to the goal along the path most suited to them.

To go to the Amritapuri Ashram there is a train to Kayamkulam (where it stops for only two minutes), the station before Quilon, and then an auto-rickshaw from this station will reach you to the backwaters of Vallickavu in about half an hour. Alternatively, a flight to Thiruvananthapuram, and a long (two- to three-hour) taxi ride to Vallickavu. A ferry will then take you across the waters, and you will probably find a helpful devotee clad in white ready to help you carry your luggage to the Amritapuri Ashram.