April 5, 2016 AM – The day of winding down at the Padakantis in Folsom, California; and, the joyful anticipation at the Ramanujams in Carmichael, California which Ramanujam refers to as “Naidupeta West, in his favorite expression “and now with Amma’s arrival in Carmichael the Center of gravity shifts to “Naidupeta West”. Amma is scheduled to stay here until April 12th when Amma will return to the Bay Area. Amma will stay at Sri Srinivas Pyda’s home in Livermore, California until April 25th when Amma will leave to India.
Amma seems happy in the “Pushpaka Viman” (celestial plane) piloted by Sahana Ramanujam, Copiloted by Sankalp Ramanujam to whisk away to their home in Carmichael, California. 
Beaming with joy Amma arrived at the Ramanujams home which is less than half-an-hour away. We all should learn from Amma — who brings so much joy and love into our lives and yet remains very detached, despite the misleading outward appearances of deep-rooted attachment.
Shobha & Ram Ramanujams welcomed Amma with the traditional Poornakumbham, their hearts brimming with joy for their good fortune and Divine Blessings.
That’s the welcoming sign on the door
Arriving at Ramanujams Amma finally gets very comfortable
A true blessing for the Ramanujams — this day and this lifetime that Amma entered their home and hearts.
Shobha ushered Amma to the backyard adjoining the “Krishna Pond” (their swimming pool) where a beautifully set up swing awaited Amma with the backdrop of Brindavan. As we sat with Amma our conversation was frequently interrupted by a sudden spray of water by the out of control hose of the swimming pool filtration device; and that made Amma and everyone burst into laughter as we dodged the spray. It made us all wonder if the spirit of the mythical snake Kaliya of Yamuna river is lurking in the “Krishna Pond”.
May be it is trying to challenge our Beloved Krishna who just arrived on the scene.
April 5, 2016 PM – Evening worship and Devotional Program at the Ramanujams home in Carmichael, California.
April 6, 2016 PM – Morning worship and Devotional Program at the Ramanujams home in Carmichael, California
April 6, 2016 PM – Evening in the beautiful Brindavan backyard sett up at the Ramanujams home in Carmichael, California
As all of us took turns to be around Amma and Amma remained the One Constant, it reminded me of the famous quote of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba: “Nations are many, but Earth is one; Beings are many, but Breath is one; Stars are many, but Sky is one; Oceans are many, but Water is one; Religions are many, but God is one; Jewels are many, but Gold is one; Appearances are many, but Reality is One.”
April 6, 2016 PM – Evening worship and Devotional Program at the Ramanujams home in Carmichael, California.
As the program came to a close, one more surprise awaited everyone — it was the Birthday of a dedicated devotee “Manish” from Elk Grove, California. After the cake cutting ceremony Amma blessed him by creating copious amounts of Vibhuti
Amma fills Manish’s palm with full of Vibhuti! What a blessing
Among the side beneficiaries I was one who received Amma’s clean fingerprints of Vibhuti, and I wasted no time to capture it with a selfie; Amma helped by peeking into the frame
April 7, 2016 AM
HAPPY UGADI
A very special New Year’s Celebration for people in several parts of India which is based on Solar-Lunar Calendar.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugadi
Special morning worship and Devotional Program in observance of the Ugadi festival; and special offerings to the Divine and consumption by the devotees –Ramanujams home in Carmichael, California
Amma bestows special blessings on the special couple on this special day.
A very devoted loving family with their Beloved Lord — “The family that prays together, stays together”
After morning program Amma made an unplanned visit to Manish’s motel and also asked all the devotees gathered for the morning pooja to join her.
April 7, 2016 PM – Evening program starts…
April 8, 2016 AM – Morning worship and Devotional Program at the Ramanujams home in Carmichael, California
Beautiful Altar after the Morning Worship Program
Amma took a brief stroll in the front lawn and garden after the morning worship program and breakfast. It was a nice photo opportunity for everyone to see Amma in the nature setting, and the few blessed children had their chance to play the “bees” drawn to the Divine “nectar” of Love.
Amma makes the grand entrance into the Paaka-shaala (Kitchen) of Ramanujams to pass on the Divine recipe secret for making the mouthwatering Mushroom curry with cashews to the family. This is very timely as preparations are underway for the wedding of Dr. Sahana Ramanujam who can take the learning as the “secret family recipe” to remain in the family for the generations to come. While the dish was being prepared, Amma kept the kitchen out of bounds for everyone except the Ramanujam’s family. I sneaked in only just to catch the action.
Amma gives unapproving looks to the intruders into the kitchen.
The blessed family are grateful and joyful for receiving the Divine recipe for the mushroom curry. Now if Amma is only that generous in sharing the recipe for Moksha (self-realization), there will be a stampede.
April 8, 2016 PM – Evening program starts…
Mrudula Charanam Anugraha Charanam
That enchanting precious form
April 8, 2016 AM – Morning worship and Devotional Program at the Ramanujams home in Carmichael, California
Beautiful Altar after the Morning Worship Program
Carmichael turned into Vrindavan today with Vasama Krishna playing good and gopas
After playing outside, it’s now time to have delicious food with Amma. It reminded Krishna sharing the stolen butter with his friends
On popular demand, the fun next moved to the Rama, Sita game wherein whoever gets the Sita chit will have to identify Rama in the group. But in this case, Sita looks to Amma for guidance. Though this game appear to be a simple one, it teaches a great lesson to lean on Amma to deal with all the challenges that we may face
Evening bhajans begin with melodious offering by the kids
Dinner with Amma
Kids satsang
Amma’s homework for kids
Kids satsang…… goes on….everyone enjoying
The evening ended with Amma’s special session of satsang for the kids with Amma posing questions to test the depth of the childrens’ knowledge on the epics like Ramayana. And there were riddles and games that children also challenged each other, bringing lot of excitement and laughter.
April 9, 2016 AM – Morning worship and Devotional Program at the Ramanujams home in Carmichael, California
Ramanujam who keeps a constant vigil to bring discipline to how we conduct our satsangs placed a number of placards with the do’s and dont’s to guide the devotees.
However, this morning I caught in the act of violating one of his own edicts — taking Paada Namaskaar while the program is underway. He had the the excuse that Amma called him to garland him with the cardamom maala; I say, it still is a viloation of the rule and took a mugshot of the culprit
Despite the violation somehow he still received Amma’s approval and blessings.
Blissful Mother sends blessings to one and all.
Today when a couple of devotees brought the flower offerings, Amma showered grace by wearing them on the top of the head. Blessed are the devotees, and blessed are the flowers.
Referring to Divine grace Amma frequently says it that there are many flowers in the garden but only a few reach God, and those are truly blessed. How blessed are these flowers that the Lord Himself chose them to be the crown jewels.
You see Prakash Mama on “Amma’s Head” literally — that is no photoshopping. That’s how the camera shot came; he was at the wrong place at the right time.
Satsang with Amma. Amma’s discourse on dharma, how to lead ones life….
April 9, 2016 PM – Evening program with Bhajans
Satsang with Amma following dinner covered many spiritual topics ranging from Dharma, Karma and leading a righteous living and not talking ill of others; if you need to vent your frustrations and complain about others do it with God. The one who talks ill of others he or she will inherit the bad karma of the one who is being criticized. Amma started the satsang with a question as to who has more difficulties — the devotees or God. The majority of the assembly responded saying that it is the devotees. Amma corrected saying it is God, because all creation is He, and so everyone’s troubles are His. But then again it is all His play; His pretense pain! The Divine continues to teach, correct and guide us towards our spiritual growth and spiritual-realization.
April 10, 2016 AM – Morning pooja alter
Satsang with Amma about how to lead ones life
April 11, 2016 AM – Morning program
Sri Guru Charanam sadguru charanam
Evening bhajans
April 12, 2016 AM – Morning pooja
Sri Guru Charanam
Morning Altar
The final moments at Carmichael in this trip
The gang of Cupertino took leave from Amma and returned back as the life gets back to normal with jobs and schools from tomorrow, but it is spring break for the Trivalley area which brought some families longing for Amma’s darshan to fill the void and evening pooja and satsang started at full throttle here in Folsom. Some pictures and video clips to follow.
