Mahapuja 2007

Today being the Mahapuja Day (when Bhagavan's mother, Alagammal, passed away in 1922), a few pieces related to Mahapooja are laid at Bhagavan's Feet.

May Thou and I be one and inseparable like Alagu and Sundara, Oh Arunachala!
-- From Aksharamanamalai

It was the month of December and Bhagavan's jayanthi
was arriving. I used to talk to my doctor friend about the
speciality of jayanthi darshan, for on the jayanthi day
Bhagavan had a special glow of light about him and his starry
eyes shed a special lustre and those around experienced the
ambrosia or the elixir of life. It is for experiencing this light
or bliss of being that devotees flocked to him from near and
far. Though this experience was obtained on normal days
too, it was very intense on particular occasions like jayanthi,
Mahapooja and Karthikai days, as also it was when great souls
met him. -- From The Silent Power

Glory to the holy mother of sacred Ramana!
Glory to the samadhi!
Glory to the linga consecrated by the Maharshi!
Glory to the new Aghasamana teertha!
-- From Soundaryamba shatkam (Six verses on Soundaryamba/Alagammal)

A word should be said also about the great annual festivals.

Most of the devotees were unable to live permanently at Tiruvannamalai and could only come occasionally, so that there were always crowds for the public holidays, especially for the four great festivals of Kartikai, Deepavali, Mahapuja (the anniversary of the Mother's death) and Jayanthi (the birthday of Sri Bhagavan).
-- From Path of Self Knowledge

Suri Nagamma (Letter 246) as usual has a very touching description to recount. A teaser:

As you know, during the time of the Jayanti, Mahapuja and other celebrations, Bhagavan does not get up for his meals unless and until the feeding of the poor starts and is half-finished. It seems in the past, during such festive occasions, Bhagavan did not take his food except with the last batch. It is only recently, on representations made by devotees, that Bhagavan has been taking food after the feeding of the poor was halfway through...

For the full piece, please see this.

In Sri Bhagavan.