BBC News

A Jolly Good Thing to Do!

The woman saint from India, Mata Amritanandamayi was visiting London from 24th to 26th October. But she didn't come to talk about her beliefs, she came to hug people. 'Amma' as she is known, offers her blessing by embracing them, and her followers say the hugs gives them an overwhelming sense of love.

She is only tiny, but she manages to hug thousands of people a day. They queue for hours to be embraced for a few seconds. Over three days here at the Crystal Palace Sports Ground in London, Amma will probably hug around 5,000 people. She would have chalked up many more by the end of her world tour. She calls it a first step to God. Her devoted followers call it a feeling of overwhelming love.

Polly, Brenda and Tamisha have all come from Kent this morning. This is the fifth time they've seen Amma, and every time is an experience they don't forget.
Polly Pellat: "I could not believe the feeling that Amma gives you. To receive this love from someone who doesn't know you is just incredible! It has such an effect on you. You cry!"
Tamisha Sabrina: "I never come with any expectations. But every time something happens!"
Reporter: "What do you think will happen today?"
Tamisha: "I feel lots of love!"

Today, the three friends have opted for a group hug...
Polly: (overwhelmed) "It happens every time! It just happens! This wonderful lady, that shows you all this love from nowhere. I mean she has it in her heart and it really flows..."
Tamisha: (crying) "Your heart just opens!"

Brenda: "It's really wonderful."

Amma has been handing out these spiritual hugs since 30 years. She started in her homeland in Southern India, but her philosophy of unconditional love has gained a large international following. Many consider her to be a living saint.
Amma doesn't charge anyone for a hug, but donations go towards her multi-million pound charity, which builds hospitals and homes for the poor in India.

I asked her where she got her energy from: (Swamiji translating)
"There is infinite power within every human being. It depends on how you tap it. Whether you tap it or not, channelise it properly. Amma gets her power from within and she is in a constant embrace with God."

One of the reasons for her popularity is, she appeals to all religions from Catholics to Hindus. Some believe she may have a certain magnetism rather like Mother Teresa.

Reverend David Martin - St John the Evangelist Church:
"Down the centuries, there have been different ways of expressing affection or love. Different ways of praying. Some times people kneel, other times they've stood up. It seems to me that in this rather 'hugless' world, giving people a hug is a jolly good thing to do!"
Reporter: "Would you go along for a hug yourself?"
Rev. Martin: "I would, yes!"

By now, Amma will be working her way through the French crowd in Paris. Then it's of to Barcelona. She vows never to leave any place or country until everyone who wants one, has received a hug.

Francesca Kasteliz, BBC news, London