Mata Amritanandamayi(1953 — ?)
Mata Amritanandamayi
Inde
4 min read
Mata Amritanandamayi, nicknamed “Amma” (the Mother), is an Indian spiritual figure born in 1953 in Kerala. Known for the embraces (darshan) she has given to millions of people, she leads a vast humanitarian and spiritual movement.
Frequently asked questions
Famous Quotes
« My duty is to comfort those who suffer. »
Key Facts
- Born on 27 September 1953 in Parayakadavu (Kerala, India) into a family of fishermen
- Founded the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, a spiritual and charitable organization, in 1981
- Nicknamed “the hugging saint” for her darshan, during which she has embraced tens of millions of people
- Received the Gandhi-King Award for Non-violence at the United Nations in 2002
- Heads a worldwide network of humanitarian works (hospitals, universities, relief for victims of the 2004 tsunami)
Works & Achievements
Worldwide spiritual and humanitarian organization that structures all of her charitable work.
International network coordinating disaster relief, housing, soup kitchens and emergency aid.
Major charitable hospital in Kerala that treats poor patients free of charge.
Research university recognized in India, founded under her impetus.
Construction of thousands of homes and infrastructure after the 2004 tsunami.
Economic empowerment program bringing together women's self-help groups.
Talks, spiritual sayings and devotional songs published and shared throughout the world.
Anecdotes
Mata Amritanandamayi is affectionately known as “Amma,” which means “Mother” in Malayalam. She is famous around the world for her embraces: it is estimated that she has hugged more than 30 million people over the course of her life, sometimes during sessions lasting several uninterrupted hours.
Born into a humble family of fishermen in Kerala, she is said to have given away her family's food and belongings to the poorest people as a child, which earned her scoldings. This early compassion became the heart of her teaching.
In 1993, she spoke at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago, becoming one of the most internationally recognized Indian spiritual figures.
After the 2004 tsunami that devastated the coasts of the Indian Ocean, her organization built thousands of homes for the victims, illustrating the connection she draws between spirituality and concrete humanitarian action.
In 2002, she received the Gandhi-King Award for Non-Violence, presented at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, in the presence of figures such as Jane Goodall.
Primary Sources
Love is our true nature. Peace and happiness are not found in external objects, but within ourselves.
Violence will never give way to peace until love has taken root in the heart of humanity.
Women and men are like the two wings of a single bird: the bird can only fly if both wings are equally developed.
Key Places
Coastal fishing village where Amma was born in 1953 and spent her childhood.
Worldwide headquarters of the movement, founded in 1981 in Kerala, which welcomes disciples and visitors from all over the world.
City home to the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences charitable hospital, established in 1998.
Site of the 1993 Parliament of the World's Religions, Amma's first major international platform.
Site where the Gandhi-King Award for Non-Violence was presented in 2002.
