AMMA - The "Hugging" Saint

We traveled yesterday up to Saint Amma's Ashram about 3 hours north of here. This was an amazing experience, that everyone should be able to have. The ashram is not like what most of us think. I always picture some small, quiet meditative place similar to what monks live in. A place that is very tranquil, with ponds and maybe a fountain. Try again! Amma's ashram is quite literally a city within itself. There are many buildings one of which is about 15 stories high, and this is located in the middle of nowhere. There are two temples, one being small and not used anymore as a temple because of the crowds she receives daily, and the new temple is more like a convention center - huge! There are literally thousands of people, followers and travelers that come to the ashram, sometimes for just a night other times for months at a time. The walk ways are full of people at all times, from all over the world. She sits up on stage and people wait not only hours but sometimes days for receive a hug from Saint Amma. Because we were foreigners we were granted access to the Saint sooner than Indians. We waited in line about 2 hours before finally getting down on our knees in front of the Saint, and receiving a hug. What a woman, who hugs everybody she sees with the same look of intense sincerity weather it was the first hug of the day or the 1800! (Thats not an exaggeration!) While we were in line we chatted with an Indian family, and even a guy from England, comparing our journey's throughout India. After the hug we ate at the ashram and the food was not bad at all. We had a veggie burger with real fries! There is no meat allowed at the ashram. Here is her official website if you are curious about who Amma is. She builds hospitals, schools, and homes for the homeless - she helped out with Katrina, and even though her ashram ended up under 3 feet of water after the tsunami she sent aid to the locations hardest hit. The world truly needs more "Hugging" Saints. www.amritapuri.org