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Date: 21st August 2008
thanks for your comment!
It was a nice surprise to learn about the festival that we witnessed. I haven't logged on to my travelblog since April which accounts for my belated reply to your comment. I'm glad to report that my travelling partner, Amit, and I are going to be married next Sunday, then we'll travel to India (Surat in Gujarat state) for a reception with Indian relatives, and then have a honeymoon in Goa. I'm really looking forward to returning to India! We are actually fans of St. Louis which we went through on a cross-country trip, and I hope you are enjoying the city!
From Blog: Relgious India
thanks for your comment!
It was a nice surprise to learn about the festival that we witnessed. I haven't logged on to my travelblog since April which accounts for my belated reply to your comment. I'm glad to report that my travelling partner, Amit, and I are going to be married next Sunday, then we'll travel to India (Surat in Gujarat state) for a reception with Indian relatives, and then have a honeymoon in Goa. I'm really looking forward to returning to India! We are actually fans of St. Louis which we went through on a cross-country trip, and I hope you are enjoying the city!
From Blog: Relgious India
Date: 30th April 2006
That festival..
Very nice travelogue. That festival you witnessed was Attukal Ponkala. It is held every year at around the same time, and is an offering by ony females to the deity of Attukal (who is a goddess). I am originally from Trivandrum, living in St.Louis,MO for a while now - and the number of women this year I heard was close to a million. So you got that number wrong..:-) It is insane how smoky it gets - see I have attended this festival multiple times since my aunt lives about a mile or two from the temple. Men are not allowed on the roads that day for safety and security sake, but some still appreciate a hand in bringing them water, etc. They just cook rice, with some jaggery (hard molasses, so it is sweet) thrown in it, and after it is done cooking, wait for the priests from the temple to fan out, sprinkling water, signifying acceptance of the offering by the deity. It makes for one entertaining and tiring day. Much more tiring for the women. And I bet it immensely contributes to the global warming. :-)
From Blog: Relgious India
That festival..
Very nice travelogue. That festival you witnessed was Attukal Ponkala. It is held every year at around the same time, and is an offering by ony females to the deity of Attukal (who is a goddess). I am originally from Trivandrum, living in St.Louis,MO for a while now - and the number of women this year I heard was close to a million. So you got that number wrong..:-) It is insane how smoky it gets - see I have attended this festival multiple times since my aunt lives about a mile or two from the temple. Men are not allowed on the roads that day for safety and security sake, but some still appreciate a hand in bringing them water, etc. They just cook rice, with some jaggery (hard molasses, so it is sweet) thrown in it, and after it is done cooking, wait for the priests from the temple to fan out, sprinkling water, signifying acceptance of the offering by the deity. It makes for one entertaining and tiring day. Much more tiring for the women. And I bet it immensely contributes to the global warming. :-)
From Blog: Relgious India
Date: 28th April 2006
before making such sweeping statements i wish people would realize that while she travels she's working hard, not taking leisure breaks. foroing food and sleep and jetlags she listens to thousands the world over, counsels, guides them... how many of us would care to do that, how many of us would have the patience and endurance to listen to the sad stories, doubts, fears of others each moment of everyday... worth a thought, i feel.
From Blog: Amma's Ashram
before making such sweeping statements i wish people would realize that while she travels she's working hard, not taking leisure breaks. foroing food and sleep and jetlags she listens to thousands the world over, counsels, guides them... how many of us would care to do that, how many of us would have the patience and endurance to listen to the sad stories, doubts, fears of others each moment of everyday... worth a thought, i feel.
From Blog: Amma's Ashram
Date: 10th April 2006
I have enjoyed following you postings. Thanks for keeping it up.
From Blog: Avjo India
I have enjoyed following you postings. Thanks for keeping it up.
From Blog: Avjo India
Date: 3rd April 2006
to each their own
Obviously Amma is not for you personally and that is quite fine...to each their own. I find it rather sad though that you would make such a (quite obviously uneducated and inexperienced) comment about the others "human impulses" with such disdain. Perhaps you should try to breathe in a little more versus out....you never know you could actually be surprised by how kindness and love feel.
From Blog: Amma's Ashram
to each their own
Obviously Amma is not for you personally and that is quite fine...to each their own. I find it rather sad though that you would make such a (quite obviously uneducated and inexperienced) comment about the others "human impulses" with such disdain. Perhaps you should try to breathe in a little more versus out....you never know you could actually be surprised by how kindness and love feel.
From Blog: Amma's Ashram
Date: 31st March 2006
well said!
duncan, you have worded your admonishment superbly.
From Blog: Amma's Ashram
well said!
duncan, you have worded your admonishment superbly.
From Blog: Amma's Ashram
Date: 22nd March 2006
human group tendencies
The websitesM Marci refers to are fascinating; the human impulse to deify and worship never ceases to amaze me! Although it is clearly possible that Amma is authentic, it is of course more likely that she represents the latest incarnation of the charlatan, however benign--exploiting people's longing for the Divine to permit herself a life of leisure and indulgence. What could be more enviable than traveling the world preaching peace and love, and having thousands of clamoring supplicants offering day and night validation? Wouldn't true enlightenment challenge these obsequious behaviors and demand that followers look within for light, truth, and guidance?
From Blog: Amma's Ashram
human group tendencies
The websitesM Marci refers to are fascinating; the human impulse to deify and worship never ceases to amaze me! Although it is clearly possible that Amma is authentic, it is of course more likely that she represents the latest incarnation of the charlatan, however benign--exploiting people's longing for the Divine to permit herself a life of leisure and indulgence. What could be more enviable than traveling the world preaching peace and love, and having thousands of clamoring supplicants offering day and night validation? Wouldn't true enlightenment challenge these obsequious behaviors and demand that followers look within for light, truth, and guidance?
From Blog: Amma's Ashram
Date: 15th March 2006
Direct experience
Marci, your travels with Amit are an absolute joy to read. It makes me feel so confined and restricted here, in a climate-controlled, sterile building. I look forward to arguing with you about Hinduism myself once you get back! With love and peace----Duncan
From Blog: Relgious India
Direct experience
Marci, your travels with Amit are an absolute joy to read. It makes me feel so confined and restricted here, in a climate-controlled, sterile building. I look forward to arguing with you about Hinduism myself once you get back! With love and peace----Duncan
From Blog: Relgious India
Date: 11th March 2006
Visit from Bush
AG - Bush has now come and gone with fanfare. Interesting to hear that the US papers covered the visit. The Indian papers and the television news likewise made it front page news. As is often the case with the Bush administration, the visit itself came out carefully cheoreographed with plenty of photo-ops. In general, an alliance with the US is considered productive for continued economic progress here. There was a lot of discussion about how such an alliance will allow India to catch up to - or surpass - China. In general, Amit's family members were aware of Bush's visit, but didn't seem that excited about it. I would even go so far as to say that they seemed apathetic. That said, we ran into a protest against him by Muslim groups in Mumbai. Thousands of Muslims protested across India (although, as with these things in the US, the numbers varied depending on the media reports that I read).
From Blog: Wild Mumbai
Visit from Bush
AG - Bush has now come and gone with fanfare. Interesting to hear that the US papers covered the visit. The Indian papers and the television news likewise made it front page news. As is often the case with the Bush administration, the visit itself came out carefully cheoreographed with plenty of photo-ops. In general, an alliance with the US is considered productive for continued economic progress here. There was a lot of discussion about how such an alliance will allow India to catch up to - or surpass - China. In general, Amit's family members were aware of Bush's visit, but didn't seem that excited about it. I would even go so far as to say that they seemed apathetic. That said, we ran into a protest against him by Muslim groups in Mumbai. Thousands of Muslims protested across India (although, as with these things in the US, the numbers varied depending on the media reports that I read).
From Blog: Wild Mumbai
Date: 6th March 2006
Go go go!
Best of luck Amit and Marci. I will read your adventures with a mixture of envy and joyous joyful joy. And do take the effort, as I'm sure you will, to communicate with locals as you go - that's the number one thing most folks abroad miss out on. Gogogo!
From Blog: Leaving today ...
Go go go!
Best of luck Amit and Marci. I will read your adventures with a mixture of envy and joyous joyful joy. And do take the effort, as I'm sure you will, to communicate with locals as you go - that's the number one thing most folks abroad miss out on. Gogogo!
From Blog: Leaving today ...
Date: 2nd March 2006
The South
M.--you fly to Karella in the South to avoid the heat of the South? I'm confused. Also: in the US India is the news non-stop because Bush is visiting. Have you heard an Indian point of view on his visit? Has his visit effected you at all?
From Blog: Wild Mumbai
The South
M.--you fly to Karella in the South to avoid the heat of the South? I'm confused. Also: in the US India is the news non-stop because Bush is visiting. Have you heard an Indian point of view on his visit? Has his visit effected you at all?
From Blog: Wild Mumbai
Date: 1st March 2006
motobike training
Marci, wow. This trip is inspirational to me, and you have convinced me again to take huge chunks of time off this summer to travel and recuperate. KEEP POSTING and don't forget us! We love you! And for all you spectators out there thinking about going to india with an insane partner and riding on a motorcycle with no helmet on streets with no law, I am available for pre-training in boston. ;)
From Blog: Welcome to Mumbai!
motobike training
Marci, wow. This trip is inspirational to me, and you have convinced me again to take huge chunks of time off this summer to travel and recuperate. KEEP POSTING and don't forget us! We love you! And for all you spectators out there thinking about going to india with an insane partner and riding on a motorcycle with no helmet on streets with no law, I am available for pre-training in boston. ;)
From Blog: Welcome to Mumbai!
Date: 28th February 2006
Go Marci Go!
Have a blast lady! I can't wait to see you both in NYC. All is smoothing out here. Getting used to post-MFA life. love, M
From Blog: Welcome to Mumbai!
Go Marci Go!
Have a blast lady! I can't wait to see you both in NYC. All is smoothing out here. Getting used to post-MFA life. love, M
From Blog: Welcome to Mumbai!
Avalon
non-member comment
Observation of a comment
As I read the comment by Jayne, I couldn't help but think of the vested, emotional interest she has to Amma. Although Jayne states, "to each their own", her proceeding comments are quite contradictory. “Quite obviously uneducated and inexperienced) comment about the others "human impulses" with such disdain”. Quite contradictory from Jayne’s original statement “to each their own". Furthermore, Jayne feels the need to insult Marci because she is alluding to ideas that could possibly present an alternative view of Amma. Marci's writings do not direct any negative feelings toward Amma they give a descriptive, thought provoking, synopsis of her experience. Now, why is that bad to you Jayne? If only more people questioned situations in 1939 All and all, thank you Marci for your information and foresight. I wish you the best with your new husband. I enjoy your blog.
From Blog: Amma's Ashram