Who is Amma ?

Amma is revered throughout the world as one of the greatest spiritual leaders of our time. From harsh beginnings as a servant to her own family in a poor fishing village in Southern India, she has emerged as a tireless and selfless servant of the world's forgotten, diseased, and suffering.

Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (known affectionately as Amma, which simply means Mother), was born as Sudhamani (Ambrosial Jewel) in 1953 to an extremely poor but pious family in the lush state of Kerala on India's Arabian Sea. Although she underwent many severe hardships and encountered many obstacles, she sought solace only in God. At the age of two, she began composing songs of deep mystical significance. Her enchanting, soulful singing became well known throughout the village. "From childhood I had an intense love of the Divine Name. I would repeat the Lord's Name incessantly with every breath and a constant flow of divine thoughts was kept up in my mind no matter the place where I was or the work I was doing." All through her childhood, Sudhamani did whatever she could to ease the suffering that she witnessed around her. And Amma's remarkable inborn compassion continues to be expressed throughout the world to this day.

Amma's life serves as an inspiring example to millions of people who have come under her care and guidance. Amma shows us through the example of her life, what it means to be a true seeker and an earnest devotee of God, and out of her love and compassion, she serves humanity as Mother and Teacher. Amma has said "My sole mission is to love and serve one and all. Amma's only wish is that her hands should always be on someone's shoulder, consoling and caressing them and wiping their tears, even while breathing her last."

Amma has never sought to convert anyone. Whenver Amma is asked about her religion, she replies that her religion is love.

Amma Today

For over thirty years most of Amma's waking hours have been spent receiving, embracing and drying the tears of each of her 'children' as only a mother could. She has inspired millions of people all over the world to change their lives and offer their effort, time, and love to their families, communities, and also to Amma's various charitable projects. Her example of compassion has blossomed into orphanages, clinics, schools, technical institutes, homes for the aged, housing for the poor, employment programs, kitchens for the homeless, widow pensions, disaster relief, the birth of a major super speciality hospital, and much more.

Due to her goal of revitalizing the highest spiritual ideals throughout her native land, Amma was chosen as one of three presidents to represent the Hindu faith at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1993, and was invited to speak again in 2004 in Barcelona. In October of 1995, she was invited to address the United Nations Interfaith Celebration in New York. In August of 2000, she addressed the United Nations General Assembly at the 'Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders'. In 2002, Amma received the Ghandi-King Award for Non-Violence at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in Geneva in recognition of her lifelong work in furthering the principles of non-violence, where she had been invited to give the keynote speech for the Global Peace Initiative of Women Religious and Spiritual Leaders.

It is estimated that Amma has hugged over 24 million people in over thirty years of her public service. Amma's hug is sought in India to the point where she has been known to hug over 50,000 in one day, sitting sometimes for over 20 hours. Since 1987 Amma has been travelling all over the world to receive and bless her children.

The Amma Center of New Mexico

In the summer of 1987, Amma arrived for the first time in the United States. Hosted by a Santa Fe family, she shared her hugs, smiles, inspiring teachings and devotional songs with a modest gathering of 35 people. From that small gathering grew the Amma Center of New Mexico, established as a nonprofit organization in 1993 in Santa Fe.

Amma's Ashram in New Mexico

In June of 1996, the new Amma Center ashram was officially blessed by Amma. The ashram was opened for those wishing to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of contemplation, study, and service. Nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Santa Fe ashram serves as the heart of Amma's mission in the Southwest.

Amma Center actively supports Amma's various charitable projects in India and the US. Proceeds from music and dance concerts, toy and book sales, music tapes and CD's, all contribute to her various charities. A portion of all Amma Center funds is sent to India to the Mata Amritanandamayi Trust.

The Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust

The Mata Amritanandamayi Trust is a registered public charitable trust located in Kerala, India.

Worldwide, Amma's humanitarian and social projects are carried out through affiliated centers in the United states, France, Australia, Mauritius, Reunion Island and fifteen other countries, as well as numerous branches in India.
To find out more about Amma's International Charitable activities, please visit: www.amritapuri.org.