A pair of dogs have found home at the ashram of Mata Amritanandamayi here as they have virtually become inmates of sorts, 'attending' customary prayers besides endearing themselves to the Mother.
Considered by many as a global abode of spirituality, the Amritapuri ashram recently saw devotees from all over the world converging to celebrate the 60th birthday of its Amma - the Mother - as Amritanandamayi is popularly known.
'Thumban' and 'Bhakti'-- as the two dogs are fondly called -- were one of the attractions during the celebrations as the visitors were curious to know about their conduct and status. Amritanandamayi had named both of them.
Thumban is 12-years-old and became part of the ashram a decade ago, while Bhakti (3) strayed in as a puppy.
The two dogs have anytime-anywhere access to the Amma, who even lets them sleep with her at her room in the ashram, Biju, an inmate of the ashram, told PTI.
The two would, in fact, start their day by 'attending' the customary prayers at the crack of dawn in Amritapuri.
On days when Amma gives darshan to visitors from far and near, the two dogs can be seen moving in and out of the stage of the open hall where she sits and listens to the grievances of people.
The pair would also form part of the escort team that brings Amma to the platform and back to her room. Both the dogs take only vegetarian food, inmates said
"Amma is impressed by the dedication, devotion and punctuality of these dogs, and, she sometimes cites them as role models to be emulated for others," Biju said.
Akshay, who works with Amrita university, recalls that it was on a rainy day in 2010 that he saw a puppy lying unattended at the campus in Vallikavu here.
"I took pity on it, and tentatively raised it," he said.
"Later it got its leg broken after being hit by a vehicle. A Westerner couple at the ashram took it to hospital and brought it back with the leg in plaster."
As for Thumban, no one knows for certain how and when he arrived at the ashram.
Karthik Swami, an inmate, said he first saw the dog in 2005. "Initially, the dog would hang around only with the Westerners at the ashram," he said.
Karthik said a skit he directed as part of 2011 Onam festival celebrations at the ashram profiled a semi-fictional story of Thumban.
"At one point, the dog itself made a brief appearance, much to the amusement of the spectators who included Amma as well," he said.
