• Kristen Acri
  • Kristen Acri

India

Pilgrimage to the 97th Urs Leer más
  • Anandashram…the Place

    13 de febrero de 2024, Estados Unidos ⋅ ☀️ 39 °F

    I’m finding it hard to write about my experience at Anandashram. There’s so much about the ashram that words snd pictures can’t capture.
    There’s a partial picture of the reception building taken another night. I was really trying to get the sky nearing sunset. But, the Reception Building is the check-in point on arrival. We went there first on Tuesday afternoon to complete paperwork.
    The second picture shows the gate to the courtyard of the building we stayed in. It’s a newer building outside the ashram complex. The next picture shows the courtyard itself, then our room not including the bathroom and small organizing space.
    The last picture is of a large, permanent map centrally located inside the ashram complex. The map was helpful the first day.
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  • Anandashram…the Masters

    14 de febrero de 2024, Estados Unidos ⋅ ☀️ 37 °F

    Of course the presence of Papa Swami Ramdas and Mother Krishnabai was felt everywhere. Life-size images in a plexiglass-like material rest in Bhajan Hall, the main building for ashram devotional programs that start at 5:00 am and run to 8:45 pm. Swami Satchidanandaji is on the left, Papa Swami Ramadas is in the center, and Mother Krishnabai is on the right. Pictures of them are also seen everywhere.Leer más

  • Anandashram…the Cows

    15 de febrero de 2024, Estados Unidos ⋅ ☁️ 32 °F

    Sweet young cows, the smaller ones are very curious and interactive. They enjoyed licking my hands, maybe for a salty taste? A calf was born about a month ago. Couldn’t tell which one that was.
    The large cows seemed tolerant of visitors but no interaction. They have a schedule too and are bathed regularly. Hay delivered often and carried two bales at a time.
    The story goes that a recent Swamaji, not the current one, observed Samuel Lewis dancing at the Goshala (cow abode) with a basket of cow dung patties on his head.
    Go pala, go pala — devakinandana go pala.
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  • Anandashram…the People

    15 de febrero de 2024, Estados Unidos ⋅ ☁️ 37 °F

    Full of heart and kindness describes the people of India including the beloveds we met at Anandashram. Of course Mariam and I stood out as new and those who spoke English were so helpful and guided us through the daily schedule. Pictures:
    *Gina from Austria in the green
    *Mark the drummer (white beard) lives in Taos
    *Mariam with Terra, Mark’s wife
    *Akmaral in purple — she was part of our pilgrimage but went to Bangalore when Mariam and I went to Agra
    *DUP friends — Yelena, Akmaral, me, Mariam, and Margarita (no dances at the ashram)
    *Sucheta not pictured, camera shy; from India and lives in India now; went to Ohio State and asked many questions about Penn State. I loved her laugh which she did a lot!
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  • Anandashram…the Devotees

    15 de febrero de 2024, Estados Unidos ⋅ ☁️ 37 °F

    Some pictures from daily Ram Nam which happens before mid-day Prayer & Arati. Two women are working on flowers for the each early morning Flower Offering. Women sit on the right side of Bhajan Hall, men in the left. This practice is followed in most buildings.
    Two short videos — the first was taken during Bhajan (10:30 daily); the second during Ram Nam at 11:30. Both are call and response.
    Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram is the only chant during Ram Nam — this is the Ram Nam mantra.
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    Fin del viaje
    18 de febrero de 2024