Celebrations for this year’s Thiruvoṇam, Oṇam’s most auspicious day, began in Amritapuri with thousands of faces lit with happiness and hope. When Amma arrived, she inspired everyone to join hands and hearts to pray for a better world for all.
In her satsang for Kerala’s harvest festival, Amma spoke about its message of prosperity, equality, love and happiness. It is a tradition that embodies the entire rich essence of Malayalee culture.
“Oṇam’s arrival brings the joy of togetherness, reliving of memories and sharing. It also brings the message of human values, which we often ignore,” said Amma.
“Oṇam is a festival that solidifies the connection between humankind, nature, all living creatures and God. It is a confluence of material prosperity, dharmic values and devotion. It weaves together memories of a past golden era, the joy of the present, and the hope of a bright future.
“It offers us the opportunity to be content with what we have, to share love, to overcome sorrow, to seek solutions, to expect goodness, and to hope for a better tomorrow. Oṇam reminds us that we can create happiness even in the midst of sorrow.
“There is no Oṇam without the fond remembrance of Lord Viṣṇu and Mahābali. Thiruvoṇam is the day we invite the Lord’s avatāra (Vamana) and His devotee (Mahābali) into our hearts. To awaken the devotee within us, and to realise God within us, is the true aim of Oṇam.
“Oṇam celebrates the harmony between all beings in the universe—sentient and insentient. It symbolises the healthy relationship between humans and nature, between all living creatures, and between farmers and the soil.
“May this Oṇam inspire us to restore and cherish the warmth of this bond founded on love, respect and goodness. May divine grace bless all my children and enable them to awaken and rise to that,” concluded Amma.
The day continued with the offering of a Thiruvathira performance to Amma, Kerala’s unique group dance by women. After practising for weeks, about 300 dancers from around the world joyfully formed circles to the rhythm of complex claps and steps. The traditional cream-coloured saris alongside blouses from every colour of the rainbow created a Heaven on Earth.
Amma, obviously very moved, then shared a video from her recent program in Tokyo where her Japanese children danced to a traditional Baduga tribal song! With Amma calling everyone to dance again, it rang true how where there is love, there is no distance.
The daytime festivities ended with Amma giving prasad to everyone in the form of a full meal. As is usual, this included Lakshmi the Ashram elephant receiving her share, too.
Oṇam celebrations recommenced in the nighttime with an epic and compassionate telling of the Ramayana such as the world has never seen. The Ashram’s Swaminis and Brahmacharinis performed a stage play of this timeless story of courage and dharma.
Having renounced the world, the women took on both male and female characters by Amma’s instructions. It was a reversal of an age-old tradition where it is often men who play all the roles.
Sharing her joy at the beautiful scenes, Amma spoke into the microphone partway through to encourage them to come closer to the front of the stage. Every detail of the drama was intricately prepared, including lovingly designed backdrops on an LED screen, shimmering costumes, and carefully crafted moustaches and beards.
Next, it was the Ashram children who appeared on the stage after this heart-touching and deeply meaningful experience. They performed a Sanskrit drama and classical dances, sharing that a future of love and light is dawning in our current world of darkness.
