The auspicious sounds of nadaswara and dollu streamed through the air, mingled with the laughter of small children, as Amma reached her Ashram in Mysuru, Karnataka. To the rhythm of her gracious gait, Amma’s children of all ages gathered to welcome her, circling sacred lamps and offering flowers.
Gathering them near, Amma led them into the programme hall, and sitting as close to her as possible, each one closed their eyes in meditation. In this shared experience of deep silence, Amma concluded by leading a prayer for the happiness of all beings.
Then, her voice reverberated the ancient tuning of ragas, with Amma leading bhajans about the sorrow of separation and the joy of reunion. The intense devotion of her Mysuru children responded in perfect melody.
Smiles spread across their faces as they thanked Amma for the chance to spend so many hours volunteering for her programme. In return, she served a meal as prasad to each one, her hands sliding plate after plate to reach their hearts.
A festival to love and serve begins
The next morning, on November 2, 2026, the two-day Mysuru Brahmasthanam Festival began at the Mata Amritanandamayi Math’s temple there. Hundreds of devotees from across Karnataka arrived, and traditional rites were conducted to invoke positive vibrations for all. This included devotees conducting the pujas alongside the temple priests.
In her message, Amma called on humankind to recognise that selfishness is at the root of all the challenges we currently face. She said, “Selfishness is like a virus. Whether it is war, poverty or environmental challenges, we can see the presence of this virus in every problem.”
Continuing, she explained that there is a simple medicine for this disease, “It is compassion that makes us human. If each person could understand the needs of the living beings around them and act in their service, this world would become heaven.”
Multiplying the hands that heal
The Ashram’s Amrita Kripa Multi-speciality Hospital in Mysuru underwent a major procedure with positive results. Alongside its original capacity of 15 beds, a new 100-bed block was inaugurated. The facilities are equipped with vital life-saving capabilities, including a state-of-the-art ICU, modular operation theaters, and dedicated dialysis units.
The hospital is in Roopa Nagar, a residential neighbourhood and developing suburb on the western outskirts of the city. This means patients in the surrounding areas can receive immediate critical care rather than facing delayed transfers into the city.
Born in a modest coastal village in Kerala, Amma never attended a university. Yet today, she herself has become a living university.
Dr C.N. Manjunath, MP, Bengaluru Rural
Dr C.N. Manjunath, a recipient of India’s Padma Shri and MP for Bengaluru Rural, inaugurated the new block. He expressed gratitude for Amma’s contributions to education and healthcare, particularly her efforts to make quality medical treatment accessible to disadvantaged and middle-income families.
“Born in a modest coastal village in Kerala, Amma never attended a university. Yet today, she herself has become a living university. Indeed, she is the spiritual symbol of India and of the whole world,” he said.
“Her selfless determination to help the needy and wipe tears without expecting anything in return is truly worthy of the highest praise.”
Mysuru’s hospital is one of five Amrita Kripa Charitable Hospitals, with three in Kerala, one in Karnataka, and one in the Andaman Islands. They are focused on reaching communities with little access to healthcare.
Also, 150 paramedical students who completed three years of free training were awarded certificates, and another 50 women from rural India received scholarships to pursue the studies. Launched in 2020, the programme provides students with free professional training and residential facilities, improving their employment prospects and financial security.
Strength in numbers
The distribution of sarees and financial assistance reached women in Amrita SREE self-help groups in Mysuru’s surrounding area. Members of AYUDH, the Ashram’s youth wing, led another anti-drug pledge, in which participants vowed never to take drugs and to come to the aid of others who have fallen into the trap of addiction.
When leaders listen
Many dignitaries were present over the days of Amma’s stop in Mysuru. They included G.T. Devegowda, MLA for Chamundeshwari; T.S. Srivatsa, MLA for Krishnaraja; Prof. G. Hemantha Kumar, Vice-President of Maharaja Education Trust and former University of Mysore Vice-Chancellor; O. Shyama Bhat, Senior Advocate; Dr P.K. Prahlad, Cardiac Anaesthesiologist and Professor of Clinical Medicine at Xavier University School of Medicine, Aruba; Anant Hegde, Managing Director, Bank Note Paper Mill India Private Limited; Nagaraj Gargeshwari, Chairman and Managing Director, Automotive Axles Limited; Dr Girish Kumar K.P., Principal, Amrita School of Medicine, Kochi; K. Vivekananda, Karnataka South Teachers’ Constituency MLC; and prominent industrialists and philanthropists Dr M. Jagannath Shenoy and Yogesh Dange. As well, Geshe Thupten Tsering, Director, Mysuru Tibetan Community Centre, offered a garland to Amma.
From ancient days to modern speed
Thousands of devotees arrived in Amma’s arms to receive her blessings in the form of a mother for all. Her darshan concluded in the early morning hours of November 4, as she left the venue with a beaming smile on her face. Her children in Mysuru, Karnataka’s city of ancient tradition, look forward to her return, while many will follow her next to Bengaluru, India’s Silicon Valley.
Schedule for Amma’s Bharat Yatra: Oct 30 ‑ Dec 6
