Transforming a Huge Sports Stadium
into a Humanitarian & Spiritual Centre
 |
Along the now still-empty "grand
avenue," arches are being built. On the
left, temporary buildings are emerging for the
Colours of Compassion Exhibition and several
medical exhibitions. On the right, a huge darshan
hall is decorated with artificial garlands and
flower bouquets. The hall is more than 100,000
square feet, more than three times the size of
the hall in Amritapuri. Under the shade of the
newly erected darshan hall, skilled workers are
filling moulds with plaster and coconut fibre
that will create 47 four-metre-high pillars to
imitate a temple front. Each column will be decorated
with a larger than life statue of Devi. In between
the pillars there will be colourful tiled roofs. |
As you walk along the avenue, passing the darshan
hall, the dignitaries’ room, the dining area,
and the international canteen, you will come upon a
stunning scene: here the whole front of Amma’s
Amritapuri temple will emerge in life size as an entrance
gate to the International Stadium. Skilled workers
are carefully moulding the whole front piece of the
temple in wood structures. Others are making horse-shaped
figures out of straw that they will cover with clay
to form the horses of Arjuna’s carriage that
will be above the entrance.
 |
The stadium itself is huge: more then 100,000
seats, all of which are getting a good wash.
Four high light-masts in the shape of elephant
tusks mark the four corners. In the middle, workers
are carefully building scaffolds to make temporary
roofs above most of the seats to provide some
shade for the visitors during the hot South Indian
afternoon sun. In the north end of the stadium,
a big stage is being constructed for the performances
and rituals. |
Here Amma will receive the representatives from the
191 United Nations member countries, dressed in the
traditional clothing and carrying the water of their
native land. His Excellency the President of India
Dr. Abdul A. P. J. Kalam will then assist Amma as She
blesses the water. The water will then be poured at
the roots of a kalpataru (banyan) sapling that will
be planted at the location of Amma’s new International
Meditation Centre.
Click here for more details on Amritavarsham50: Amma's 50th birthday celebration for peace and harmony.
|
Archives 
