Amma’s Birthday Celebrations at MA Center LA
On September 26th 2026, devotees at MA Center LA came together to celebrate Amma’s birthday in a deeply meaningful way—not simply with festivities, but through selfless service, spiritual practices, devotion, and compassion.
Guided by Swami Dayamritananda Puri, the day became a beautiful expression of Amma’s teachings: to see the Divine in everyone and to serve with love, humility, and compassion.
The celebrations began with a Redondo Beach cleanup, led by Green Friends. Volunteers came together to care for the environment, offering their time and energy as a humble service to Mother Nature. Some of our brothers and sisters did the beach cleanup in Santa Barbara.
The service continued at MA Center LA, where Ayudh led a sandwich and snack-bag preparation effort. More than 75 enthusiastic volunteers joined Swamiji in preparing approximately 400 sandwich and snack bags for distribution to those in need. The atmosphere was filled with joy, camaraderie, and a shared sense of purpose as everyone worked together with loving hands and open hearts.
The day also offered an inspiring and devotional spiritual program. During the satsang, Swamiji reflected on Amma’s virtues and teachings, sharing life examples that illustrated the transformative power of giving, compassion, and selfless love. He spoke of the countless ways Amma leads by example and touches the lives of people around the world.
The evening continued with Paduka Puja followed by melodious devotional bhajans, filling the hall with an atmosphere of love and devotion. The heart-melting singing was followed by Arati, creating a deeply sacred and prayerful conclusion to the spiritual program.
With great joy, everyone joined together to sing “Happy Birthday” to Amma, as well as to devotees celebrating their birthdays in September. The celebration continued with the cutting of the birthday cake, followed by the loving distribution of dinner prasad.
Continuing the Offering of Love
The spirit of service continued into September 27.
In downtown Los Angeles, MK led an effort to serve a meal to more than 125 women in need. Volunteers prepared and lovingly served the meal, and at the conclusion, sandwich and snack bags were distributed to the women.
Meanwhile, Ayudh volunteers went into downtown areas with a dense population of unhoused neighbors, distributing sandwiches, snack bags, and water bottles. The recipients expressed their appreciation for the care and kindness extended to them. For the volunteers, each interaction was an opportunity to share not only food and water, but also a little of the love and compassion that Amma has inspired in their hearts.
An Offering from Amma’s Children
Amma’s children from across Southern California—including Los Angeles, Irvine, San Diego, the Inland Empire, Santa Barbara, and surrounding communities—came together as one family to make these celebrations possible.
Through service, prayer, devotion, and fellowship, the weekend became a living expression of Amma’s message that love is meant to be shared and compassion is meant to be lived.
The volunteers may have offered sandwiches, meals, environmental service, prayers, and their time—but in the process, they received something equally precious: the opportunity to experience the joy of giving and the unity that arises when hearts come together in selfless service. Pics are on MA Center LA Facebook
