Italian Newspaper

"Amma embraces her devotees at the Collegno indoor stadium"

Thousands of people filled the Collegno indoor stadium for three days last week for one of the city's most important events, at least in terms of numbers: The arrival of Mata Amritanandamayi, known affectionately as Amma, meaning Mother. Car park full to overflowing, camper-vans and cars everywhere.

And then all those devotees in line, holding a ticket as though at the butcher's or baker's, and, what's more, in bare feet as a sign of respect for the Mahatma, waiting to receive her embrace - called Darshan - in a mystic environment, with loads of stalls bearing witness to her charitable works, but also selling her objects. On one side of the hall is a large stage where a few Indian monks play instruments and sing songs and prayers in their own language.

Hundreds of people - Italians, Germans, Swiss, French, Indians and Americans - wait for their turn, some seated on the court, others in the stands. Many have come out of pure curiosity, while others have never missed a single one of Amma's annual visits.

But who is Amma? Amma is a mystic who lives in the South of India. Born in 1953 to a modest family of fishermen, since 1987 she's been touring the world. Regularly invited by the UN to meetings to discuss world peace, she's been given many awards for her numerous humanitarian works.

These works include the creation of a hospital with 800 beds, 2 orphanages providing a home for more than 50 children, a hospital for terminal cancer patients, professional schools and schools for the deaf and dumb. It's during her tours that Amma, accompanied by a few monks from her Order, manages to collect the funds for her charitable works.

But people mostly come to see her in order to feel good, to receive her embrace. Some say that her arms generate positive energy. "You feel recharged," explain a few devotees. "A feeling of relief and well-being."

During the embrace, Amma whispers a few words, prayers or some simple advice in the local language. Afterwards, you have the chance to grab a bite to eat thanks to the cakes, snacks, biscuits and pizzas prepared by her devotees and brought to the bar.

But there's also the chance to experience typical Indian vegetarian meals Asian-style, as though you were in another world.