Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

Sri Mata Amritanandamayi is an Indian Hindu spiritual leader, guru and humanitarian, who is revered as 'the hugging saint' by her followers, a.k.a. Amma. At the age of 7, she starts composing devotional songs about Lord Krishna, learns tailoring at a Christian Institution, and is considered mentally deranged by her family because of her chanting, crying, meditating and deep devotion for Krishna. In 1979 she is followed by young spiritual seekers and meet her first western disciple Neal Rosner. In 1981 Amma is formally given the name Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. Small Ashram buildings - Dhyana mandiram with the first floor as Amma's resting room and Vedanta Vidyalayam are constructed, funded by Neal Rosner. In 1985 Amma's biography and teachings in English "The Mother of Sweet Bliss" by Br. Balu is published. "A day with Amma" and "Amrita Sagaram" two short films are made by Neal Rosner for the purpose of introducing Amma to the west. Two years later in 1987 Amma goes to the United States for her first world tour.