| 5th October 2009: The Firewalk |
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The day started with Swamiji and Raghudasa going to the Mariamman temple in Singapore at midnight, to do the firewalking. This firewalking ceremony is held every year as a symbolic purification offering to the Divine Mother Mariamman. 17,000 logs were burnt for two days to prepare a hot bed of burning embers, 20 feet long. The atmosphere in the temple was electric. About 5000 people, all Singaporeans of Indian origin were ready to walk over the fire, with several more people gathered to assist and cheer them. Swamiji has been doing the fire walking for 18 years now. With all his faith in the Mother, and keeping everyone in his prayers, he walked across the burning embers. As Raghudasa approached to walk across the fire (this was his first time), the cheering reached a crescendo, as he was the only American to participate in the fire walking. All the people were very happy and surprised to see Raghudasa being one of them, so he got an extra cheer from all. He did not feel the heat while walking. In the early morning though, blisters started showing up on his soles. Swamiji and Amma were concerned, especially in view of the upcoming long treks in the Himalayas. Amma dressed the feet after applying some medicines, we are all hoping that the healing will be fast. Carla, Greg and Miles arrived in Delhi last night. They flew by Air India, which promptly lost their bags. It was quite a feat in getting the missing bag complaint filed with Air India, which is semi-managed by the Indian government. Collecting the bags in the evening was quite an experience -- Carla and Greg were made to run from one office to another, speak with several people, fill forms etc. After four hours of dramas, they were finally relieved to get their bags back. Amalananda arrived in Delhi in the afternoon along with his niece Varsha, who has been a devotee for the past few years. All of us are waiting for Swamiji, Amma and Raghudasa to arrive in the morning. |
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