Sanatani Directory · Ashram
अमृतपुरी
Amritapuri
Parichay · Introduction
In one line
Mata Amritanandamayi's ashram on the Kerala backwaters — home seat of Amma and headquarters of one of the largest humanitarian networks in India.
Itihaas · History
How this place came to be
Amritapuri began in 1981 as a small thatched hut on the spot where Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma) was born and grew up, on the strip of land between the Arabian Sea and the Kerala backwaters. The ashram grew organically around her — first as a place where local devotees came for darshan (Amma gives darshan by physically embracing each devotee, a practice that has earned her the global name "the hugging saint"), then as a residential community, and now as the global headquarters of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math.
The Math today runs hospitals (including the AIMS super-specialty hospital in Kochi), an extensive university system (Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham), schools across India, a tsunami relief and rehabilitation programme that built thousands of homes after 2004, and disaster relief operations across multiple Indian states. Amritapuri itself houses thousands of monastic and lay residents from over 50 countries, lined up each evening for Amma's embrace — a queue that often runs until well past midnight.
Karya · Day-to-day
What happens here
- ·Daily darshan by Amma (when she is at Amritapuri)
- ·Pre-dawn archana and bhajans in the temple
- ·Residential community of monastics and lay devotees from 50+ countries
- ·AIMS hospital network — super-specialty care across India
- ·Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham — multi-campus deemed university
Karyakram · Programmes
What you can take part in
IAM Meditation Technique (free, in person)
Amrita Yoga (Amma's synthesis of asana and meditation)
Volunteer programmes — short and long-term seva
Workshops on Sanskrit, Vedic chanting, and Indian arts
Aavas · Stay
If you want to visit
Open to visitors and devotees year-round, but check Amma's travel schedule — when she is on Bharat or world tour, the ashram still runs but darshan with her is not available. Accommodation in dorms or private rooms, both on a donation basis. Vegetarian meals included.
Utsav · Calendar
What to come for
Vishesh · Notable
Worth knowing
- Amma has personally embraced an estimated 40 million people in darshan
- Built and gifted homes to thousands of tsunami-affected families after 2004
- AIMS super-specialty hospital provides treatment regardless of ability to pay
- Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham — multi-campus deemed university across India