Internationally renowned as the “hugging saint,” Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, aka “Amma” has embraced 32 million people to date worldwide.  A Hindu spiritual leader and guru, she is recognized as a treasure trove of practical, spiritual wisdom.  Amma has delivered messages of peace and love at international platforms like the United Nations and Parliament of World Religions.

Amritanandamayi was born to fishermen’s family in Amritpuri, a small town in Kerala, southwest India.  Her education halted at age nine as she had to take care of her siblings. She showed her humanitarian touch at an early age when she would gather food and scraps not only for her family but share with the neighbors as well. She also started embracing people to comfort their sorrows. Her stream of love grew and brought crowds. Soon her family home became the hub as seekers and followers began to reside there.

While she was in her teens, she began to give “Darshan,” (seeing the sacred) and as her habit of embracing and comforting picked up momentum, Amma’s message of love expanded on a global level.

She has lifted and transformed peoples’ lives worldwide, through her embrace, wisdom and charities that range from fighting hunger, providing education and health care to building homes, green intitiatives and empowering women.

While Amma is widely regarded as one of India’s foremost spiritual leaders, Amma says that her religion is love. She has never asked anyone to change their religion but only to contemplate the essential principles of their own faith and to try to live accordingly.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]