Born-September 27, 1953
Parayakadavu, Alappad Panchayat, Kollam District, Kerala, India
Birth name-Sudhamani Idamannel
To manage this mammoth gathering, MAM has made extensive hospitality arrangements by way of free food, stay, transport logistics , toilets etc. Arrangements are also being made for individual Darshan by Amma for the devotees who come for the celebrations.Read more
Amma was born on27th September 1953, in the fishing village of Parayakadavu (now partially known as Amritapuri), Alappad Panchayat, Kollam District, Kerala. Her schooling ended when she was nine, and she began to take care of her younger siblings and the family domestic work full-time.
As part of her chores, Sudhamani gathered food scraps from neighbors for her family’s cows and goats. Amritanandamayi says at these times she was confronted with the intense poverty and suffering of others. She would bring these people food and clothing from her own home. Her family, which was not wealthy, scolded and punished her. Amritanandamayi also began to spontaneously embrace people to comfort them in their sorrow. It was not permissible for a 14-year-old girl to even touch others, especially men. But despite adverse reactions by her parents, Amritanandamayi continued. Regarding her embracing of others, Amritanandamayi has said, “I don’t see if it is a man or a woman. I don’t see anyone different from my own self. A continuous stream of love flows from me to all of creation. This is my inborn nature. The duty of a doctor is to treat patients. In the same way, my duty is to console those who are suffering.”
- Mata AmritanandamayiTimeline:
- 1953 - Mata Amritanandamayi or Amma was born
- 1979 - Formation of an informal ashram, today known as Mata Amritanandamayi Trust
- 1981 - Started teaching spiritual believers all over the world
- 1993 - Became one of the presidents of the Assembly of Global Religions (Chicago), Represented Hinduism at Parliament of World's Religions (Chicago)
- 2000 - Gave the keynote address at Millennium Peace Summit, UN General Assembly, New York
- 2002 - Became keynote speaker at the Global Peace Initiative of Women, at the UN (Geneva, Switzerland)
- 2008 - Gave keynote address for Global Peace Initiative of Women's international conference, entitled "Making Way For The Feminine for the Benefit of the World Community", in Jaipur (Rajasthan, India
Despite numerous attempts by her parents to arrange marriage for her, Amritanandamayi rejected all suitors. In 1981, after various seekers had begun residing at her parents' property in Parayakadavu for the sake of being Amritanandamayi's disciples, a worldwide organization, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, was founded. Amritanandamayi serves as chairperson of the Math. Today the Mata Amritanandmayi Math is engaged in many spiritual and charitable activities.
In 1987, at the request of devotees, Amritanandamayi began to conduct programs in countries throughout the world. She has done so annually ever since. Countries Amritanandamayi has held programs in include Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Dubai, England, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mauritius, Reunion, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States of America. She also makes annual tours of India.
Awards & Honors
- 1993 - 'Hindu Renaissance Award' by Hinduism Today
- 2002 - Gandhi-King Award for Non-Violence by The World Movement for Nonviolence at the UN General Assembly Hall, Geneva
- 2006 - 4th Annual James Parks Morton Interfaith Award at the Interfaith Centre, New York
- 2007 - Award for her humanitarian activities at the Human Rights Film Festival, Cinema Verite, in Paris