visiting the Ashram in Vallikavu

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

 

I have never been to Amma's ashram in India, even though I am Keralite! I

would like to visit it with my 2-year-old daughter in early to mid December

this year when I visit my family in Kerala, and I was wondering if the

experienced hands at making this trip could tell me the best way to get there

(car, train, etc.) and where one stays at the ashram for a couple of nights.

 

I will be going from Palakkad. I can rent a car to transport the 3 or 4

adults who will be going. Can we stay at the ashram with a little kid, and

how does one request permission? I was hoping to see Amma, since I think she

is scheduled to be back at the ashram after December 2. I don't even plan to

trouble her with giving me darshan (except at long range), since I have been

fortunate to see her every year in New York City. I hope to do some seva

there before leaving.

 

Any advice would be welcome.

Om Namah Shivayai,

Usha

[Guest guest]

Hi Usha:

 

I was at the ashram last January for several months.

 

Let me give you a quick answer to some of your questions.

 

Both you and your daughter are most welcome at the Ashram. All children and

babies are welcome, even those awaiting to be born!

 

As far as I remember, you can book a room when you arrive. I do not know of

anyone being turned away. The policies are different between Indians and us

westerners so I would advise checking with them either by letter or email to

see if you can reserve a room.

 

I will sent you an email with their internet address and/or postal address if

you require them.

 

I would advise going by your own car if that is available to you. There are

regular busses but the train is much more comfortable. There are rickshaws

and taxis from the train station that will take you to the boat ramp at

Vallikavu From the boat ramp, it is a one rupie ride across the backwaters

to the Ashram.

 

I have a map that will help but I need to get it scanned and then I will up

it up on the File space so everyone can download it.

 

Staying for several days sounds very very good especially if you can arrange

the dates when Amma is giving Darshans. I hope you both can have darshan with

Amma if at all possible. She delights in seeing children!

 

I'll dig out my maps and tell you more later.

 

Om Amriteswarayai Namaha!

 

Peter White

Ammachi List Moderator

Alachua, Florida

[Guest guest]

Hi Usha, if you are American or European citizens, even though you are

Indian, just go to the foreigner's office, right inside the front doors of

the temple, upstairs to your right. If you are Indian citizens, go to the

accommodations office on the bottom left hand side of the temple. As a

family, you will be assigned a flat, most likely. The cost is minimal. It

would be a shame to miss Amma's darshan at Amritapuri! They are usually a bit

quicker than when She is abroad, but still awesome, and She will definitely

want to see you and your family. Don't hold back because you saw Her here!

It's a beautiful gesture to try to save Amma, or not take too much of Her

time, and we all go through it, but when you get there, you will see that it

is 100% OK to go up for darshan. You can hire a car from Pallakad, and like

Peter said, that is a relatively comfortable way to go. It will take most of

the day, as you may already know. There is a train that goes to within a taxi

ride to the ashram as well. I forget the station, but if you need the name, I

can find out. We visited Pallakad with Amma last year, it is very nice there!

Everything is there for you at the ashram, nice food, people to answer your

questions, not to mention God. If you speak Malayalam there is an information

booth right in the middle of the temple courtyard, you can't miss it.

That's a great time of year to visit the ashram, by the way. Enjoy!

Jai Amma, Eknath

[Guest guest]

Usha,

 

The name of the town where the train station is

(someone correct me if I'm misspelling it) Kayamkulam

or Kayamgulam. It's about 12 km. away, I think.

Have a great trip!

 

In Amma,

Jyotsna

 

--- Eknath1 wrote:

> Hi Usha, if you are American or European citizens,

> even though you are

> Indian, just go to the foreigner's office, right

> inside the front doors of

> the temple, upstairs to your right. If you are

> Indian citizens, go to the

> accommodations office on the bottom left hand side

> of the temple. As a

> family, you will be assigned a flat, most likely.

> The cost is minimal. It

> would be a shame to miss Amma's darshan at

> Amritapuri! They are usually a bit

> quicker than when She is abroad, but still awesome,

> and She will definitely

> want to see you and your family. Don't hold back

> because you saw Her here!

> It's a beautiful gesture to try to save Amma, or not

> take too much of Her

> time, and we all go through it, but when you get

> there, you will see that it

> is 100% OK to go up for darshan. You can hire a car

> from Pallakad, and like

> Peter said, that is a relatively comfortable way to

> go. It will take most of

> the day, as you may already know. There is a train

> that goes to within a taxi

> ride to the ashram as well. I forget the station,

> but if you need the name, I

> can find out. We visited Pallakad with Amma last

> year, it is very nice there!

> Everything is there for you at the ashram, nice

> food, people to answer your

> questions, not to mention God. If you speak

> Malayalam there is an information

> booth right in the middle of the temple courtyard,

> you can't miss it.

> That's a great time of year to visit the ashram, by

> the way. Enjoy!

> Jai Amma, Eknath

>

>

 

 

 

 

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