http://www.straitstimes.com/singapo...ces-singapore-to-commemorate-31st-anniversary
'Hugging Saint' guru embraces Singapore to commemorate 31st anniversary
Spiritual and humanitarian leader Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, also known as Amma, has since hugged about 34 million people across the world, sometimes in marathon sessions that run for 20 hours, gaining the moniker of the "Hugging Saint". ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Published
58 min ago
Lee Wen-Yi
SINGAPORE - More than a thousand people streamed into the Sands Convention Centre on Monday (March 26) to meditate and be embraced by an Indian guru.
Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi is a spiritual and humanitarian leader also known as Amma, which translates to "Mother". Singapore was the first country she came to when she began her international travels in 1987.
The three-day programme that began on Monday commemorates the 31st anniversary of that event.
Her last visit to Singapore was in 2017.
A highlight of Amma's ceremonies is the concluding darshan, in which she embraces each person who goes to see her.
She began the act as a young girl despite such contact being forbidden, especially with men. She has since hugged about 34 million people across the world, sometimes in marathon sessions that run for 20 hours, gaining the moniker of the "Hugging Saint".
'Hugging Saint' guru embraces Singapore to commemorate 31st anniversary
Spiritual and humanitarian leader Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, also known as Amma, has since hugged about 34 million people across the world, sometimes in marathon sessions that run for 20 hours, gaining the moniker of the "Hugging Saint". ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Published
58 min ago
Lee Wen-Yi
SINGAPORE - More than a thousand people streamed into the Sands Convention Centre on Monday (March 26) to meditate and be embraced by an Indian guru.
Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi is a spiritual and humanitarian leader also known as Amma, which translates to "Mother". Singapore was the first country she came to when she began her international travels in 1987.
The three-day programme that began on Monday commemorates the 31st anniversary of that event.
Her last visit to Singapore was in 2017.
A highlight of Amma's ceremonies is the concluding darshan, in which she embraces each person who goes to see her.
She began the act as a young girl despite such contact being forbidden, especially with men. She has since hugged about 34 million people across the world, sometimes in marathon sessions that run for 20 hours, gaining the moniker of the "Hugging Saint".
