As I conclude my days in India, the past couple of weeks feel like a dream. Each time I recount the events of that week, I become more convinced - Amma really wanted her departure this way.
She made numerous calls and sent voice messages to all her near and dear for Holi (an Indian festival) a day before she was admitted . She spent two days in the hospital, one of which she spent getting better, talking, and joking. She ensured both my sisters and their children had enough time to come and see her. She even heard that I was on my way to be with her before leaving this world. I was able to get a flight on time at a reasonable cost. My nephew’s exam ended on Tuesday, allowing him to fly the next day. My niece had a six-day break between her two exams. My sister managed to make it on time for her flight.
Our long drive to Allahabad was uneventful, and the weather was perfect throughout those days. . During my early morning walk in Allahabad, I came across a jasmine bush outside a house. I wanted to pick some, and the watchman said I could pick all as the owners were away. At the place where my sister was performing the rituals, the helper provided us with a needle and thread so I could put those flowers in my hair. My mom loved jasmine and enjoyed putting them in her hair.
We had planned to complete everything by 3 PM and leave for Raipur. However, the special nakshatra (Somwati Amawasya) that day delayed everything, and we could only finish the rituals by 5 PM. By the time we reached Triveni, it was sunset, which was Amma’s favorite time of the day.
The Ganga Pooja (last prayers for her) coincided with the first day of the festival week (Navratri) and it was a holiday.
I cannot believe it, but I did dip into the Sangam/Triveni, which is so out of character for me. My mother took her mother to the exact same place 25 years ago when my Amma was almost my age. The feeling that she was there was surreal and overpowering.
A cotton Kalamakari for Amma’s 12th day rituals.
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