PERSONAL INFORMATION
Birth name: Sudhamani Idamannel [1] Amritapuri
Nickname(s): • Amma • Mata
Profession: • Spiritual leader • Humanitarian
Name earned: The Hugging Saint
Date of Birth: 27 September 1953 (Sunday)
Age (as of 2022): 69 Years
Birthplace: Alappad Panchayat in Karunagappally, Kollam District, State of Travancore-Cochin (now in Kerala), India
Zodiac sign: Libra
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Karunagappally, Kerala
Religion: She follows Hinduism. Since the age of 4, she has been preaching to Lord Krishna.
Food Habit: Vegetarian
Age: 69 Years
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PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): in centimeters – 162 cm in meters – 1.62 m in feet & inches – 5’ 4”
Eye Colour: Brown
Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Unmarried
Husband/Spouse: N/A
Parents: Father – Sri Sugunanandan Idamannel (Fishmonger) Mother – Damayanti Amma
Siblings: Elder Brother: Subhakan Younger Brother(s): Sathish Kumar, Sudhir Kumar, and Suresh Kumar Elder Sister: Kasturi Aamma Younger Sister(s): Sajini and Sugunamma
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Awards, Honours, Achievements: Awards 1993: Hindu Renaissance Award for ‘Hindu of the Year’ 1998: Care & Share International Humanitarian of the Year Award in Chicago, USA 2002: Karma Yogi of the Year 2002: Gandhi-King Award for Non-Violence by The World Movement for Nonviolence in UN, Geneva 2005: Mahavir Mahatma Award in London, UK 2005: Centenary Legendary Award of the International Rotarians in Cochin, Kerala 2006: The Philosopher Saint Sri Jnaneswara World Peace Prize 2007: Le Prix Cinéma Vérité Award by Cinéma Vérité in Paris, France 2013: First Vishwaretna Purskar by Hindu Parliament in Tiruvananthapuram, India 2018: Felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the largest contribution to the Government of India’s Clean India Campaign Swachh Bharat Mission Honors 2010: An honorary Doctorate in humane letters from the State University of New York 2019: An honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Mysore, Karnataka 2021: An honorary degree in D.Litt.(Honoris causa) from the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar Achievements 2012: Watkins’ list of the top 100 living spiritual influencers in the world. 2014: The Huffington Post’s list of the 50 most influential women religious leaders
MONEY FACTOR
Net Worth (approx.): Rs. 1000 crores (as of 2011) [3] India Today
OTHER INFORMATION
The Mata Amritanandamayi Math Address: Amritapuri in Karunagappally, Kollam, Kerala (India)
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, affectionately known to her devotees as “the hugging saint,” is an esteemed Indian spiritual leader and humanitarian whose influence has transcended borders. Born Sudhamani in a humble family in Kerala, India, she has dedicated her life to serving humanity and spreading love and compassion. As the founder of The Mata Amritanandamayi Math, a global nonprofit organization based in Amritapuri, Kerala, she has made significant contributions to both spiritual and humanitarian fields. Her impressive accolades include serving as President of the Centenary Parliament of World Religions held in Chicago, USA, in 1993, where she promoted interfaith dialogue and understanding among diverse cultures.
From a young age, Sudhamani demonstrated a deep commitment to altruism. At just five years old, she began volunteering to assist those less fortunate, often arriving late to school due to her selfless acts. By nine, she was already dedicated to charitable work, collecting leftover food from neighbors to share with those in need, a habit that sometimes earned her reprimands from her own family, who were not financially well-off. Her life took a pivotal turn in 1962 when her mother fell ill, necessitating that the nine-year-old leave school to help care for her siblings and manage household duties. As her responsibilities grew, so did her compassion for others, culminating in her decision to embrace a life of service.
By the time she reached 22, Sudhamani had become a beacon of hope and comfort for countless individuals, earning her the endearing title of Amma, which means mother in several Indian languages. She began her tradition of hugging people to provide solace, a practice that has continued for over three decades. Spending an astonishing 10 to 14 hours each day greeting visitors, Amma has embraced more than 34 million people worldwide, offering them not just physical comfort but also a sense of belonging and connection. Despite the option of marriage, she chose to remain single, viewing all her devotees as her children, thus embodying the essence of motherhood and unconditional love.
The Mata Amritanandamayi Math, established on May 6, 1981, embodies her vision for the spiritual and material betterment of humanity. Under Amma’s guidance, the organization has expanded its reach through various initiatives, including the establishment of 90 Amrita Vidyalayam chains of English medium CBSE schools and the seven-campus Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University. Furthermore, it offers yoga, meditation, and Sanskrit classes, ensuring that her teachings on love, compassion, and spiritual growth continue to resonate with future generations.
Despite the immense love she receives, Amma’s journey has not been without peril. In August 2005, she was attacked by a 47-year-old man named Pavithran, who, during a prayer gathering at the Vallikkav Ashram, attempted to harm her but was swiftly thwarted by her devoted followers. Described as having an unstable mind, Pavithran was later revealed to have affiliations with extremist groups. Similarly, on August 1, 2012, another attack occurred when a 23-year-old law student, Satnam Singh Maan, lunged towards her during a hug session while uttering a religious phrase. He too was subdued by devotees and subsequently admitted to a psychiatric facility, where he ultimately passed away. These incidents, though alarming, underscore Amma’s unwavering commitment to her mission of love and her ability to inspire and uplift millions, even in the face of adversity.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.
