Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi is also known as the Hugging Saint all around the world for the simple reason that she hugs every one who goes to her. She has hugged more than 30 million people around the globe! The hugs are free. She is affectionately called as AMMA, the mother. She is the pure love. An embodiment wisdom, of pure energy and innocence. Amma is from India. she is born in a poor family, studied up to fourth class. Wikipedia
The definitive Wikipedia entry for Hugging Saint. Wikipedia is the biggest multilingual free-content encyclopedia on the Internet. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugging_saint
Her followers call the act of hugging "darshan", or seeing, the word used by Hindus to describe an audience with a deity. news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3143414.stm
Amma's darshan has a purifying, healing and spiritually uplifting effect. All are welcome for Amma considers as all Her children. She is hugging and blessing thousands daily. She travels all over the world to give darshan. www.amritapuri.org/amma/darshan.php
BOB ABERNETHY , anchor: There is a much-admired spiritual guru in India who has gained international prominence for her practice of hugging people as a way to spread peace and compassion. www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week936/feature.html
Modest mystic and philanthropist touches the souls of millions through her heart and her hugs. Dubbed the 'Hugging Saint', Amma, has already committed $23 million to tsunami relief and $1 million to Katrina relief, as well as support for schools... www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-07-18-amma-humanitarian...
