1953
Amma was born in a poor fishing village in Kerala, Southern India, in 1953. Her father [Sugunanandan] sold fish to make a living. Her mother [Damayanti] relates that the child wasn’t born crying as babies usually are, but with a beaming smile on Her face. She was given the name Sudhamani (Ambrosial Jewel). Even as […]
1961
Sudhamani charmed and delighted everyone around Her. But as She grew, Her divine moods, including frequent meditative states, singing, and ecstatic dancing beside the seashore, began to annoy Her family. At the early age of five Sudhamani was already subjected to severe scoldings. As part of Her work She had to collect food for the […]
1962
When Sudhamani was nine, Her mother became ill. Although Sudhamani was the brightest girl in Her class, She had to leave school and take care of Her entire family. It was a grueling task, with seven brothers and sisters to feed and clothe, and animals to tend. She virtually became the family servant, working from […]
1975
By Her late teens, Sudhamani was abiding in the experience of inner bliss. By 1975, at the age of 22, She was fully established in the state of Supreme Love. A significant incident occurred in September 1975 that lifted one veil from Her divinity. One day, as Sudhamani was walking home, holding aloft a bundle […]
Sublime as it was, Krishna Bhava was not the culmination of Sudhamani’s sadhana (spiritual practices). One day, soon after the advent of Krishna Bhava, She had an unforgettable vision of Adi Parashakti (the Primordial Power, or the Divine Mother). So enrapturing was the vision that Sudhamani yearned with all Her being to become one with […]
1976
Amma sings about Her experience in the mystical song, ‘Ananda Veethi’, The Path of Bliss. It was the moment of eternal bliss (Ananda); the moment of Her realization of the Universal Mother. From that moment onwards, Sudhamani became ‘Amritanandamayi’ (one who is full, filled with eternal bliss). When She was Sudhamani, She was full of […]
1977
After this experience, the Universal Motherhood that was awakened within Her made Her spontaneously embrace everyone who came to Her, experiencing each one as Her very own child. Hundreds of people were coming each day to spend a few moments in Her arms. Amma would listen to their sorrows and console them. She also began […]
1978
When Amma first started Krishna Bhava beside the beach road, Her father became very anxious for Her safety. Adjoining his house was the family’s cowshed. He made space for Amma to give the Bhava darshans there. That cowshed was eventually converted into a temple (Kalari), which still adjoins the house and is used for pujas. […]
1979
In 1979, Amma’s first monastic disciples came to reside permanently by Her side. It was they who named Her Mata Amritanandamayi (Mother of Immortal Bliss). As more and more young men and women felt inspired by Amma’s selfless compassion and began coming to Her for spiritual guidance, an ashram was founded.
1981
In 1981, the construction of a few humble thatched huts next to Amma’s family home marked the beginning of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math. The ashram grew around Amma’s childhood home. It was a modest house with 3 rooms and a kitchen. It is built on the site of the original thatched hut, where Amma was […]
1984
First published in 1984 on the auspicious occasion of Amma’s Birthday with the aim of disseminating Amma’s teachings to devotees, the magazine today is read by hundreds of thousands over the world. Currently, Matruvani is published in 15 languages, including 8 Indian languages (Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and Bengali) and English, French, […]
1985
The construction of the meditation hall and guest room started in 1985. In those days, all the disciples helped with the construction, especially the concreting work. Often Amma would lead the work shifts.
1987
In 1987, in response to their invitations, Amma embarked on Her first world tour. Today Amma spends most of the year travelling throughout India and the world, where people flock to see Her and are inspired by Her example of pure love and compassion.
First School, Amrita Vidyalayam in Kodungalloor, Kerala Mata Amritanandamayi Math currently runs over 57 schools from pre-primary to high schools throughout India. These schools provide standard education through enthusiastic, activity oriented teaching methods. An integral part of of the school’s holistic approach to learning is to instill positive values. Students are encouraged to practice selflessness, […]
1988
On the 21st of April 1988, Amma consecrated the first Brahmasthanam (abode of the Absolute) temple at Kodungallur, which was constructed according to Her instructions. Amma’s Brahmasthanam temples are so different from the common temples of India today, it can be said that they are the hallmarks of a new epoch in temple worship. Click […]
As the number of devotees coming for Amma’s darshan grew bigger and bigger, it became necessary to construct a large darshan hall. It was then that the beautiful Kali Temple was erected. It was the first big cement structure to be built and took five years to finish.
1989
The original orphanage was established in 1964. By 1989, the institution was sinking under the weight of heavy financial debts. That year, the institution’s headmaster contacted Amma for help.When MAM took over the orphanage in 1989, the buildings were dilapidated and the living conditions were extremely poor and unsanitary. There was no medical facility and […]
Starts Industrial Training Center(ITC), a vocational training school, in Puthiyakavu, Kollam, Kerala The Industrial Training College (ITC) provides training in ten trades for 500 teenagers in every academic year. The Centere strives to create self reliant and confident adolescents so that they can take up their trade in a wide range of work environments or […]
1990
While many temples have shrines to more than one deity, each deity is represented by a separate murthi (idol). Amma’s temples have only one murthi. But in a revolutionary move, She instructed that the stone murthi be carved with four faces, one on each side. The shrine depicts the images of Shiva’s Divine family: Shiva, […]
Amma gave darshan for a few years (when the original Kalari became too small) in a hut, until she was able to use the Kali temple in 1992. This hut does not exist anymore.
Amrita Institute of Computer Technology started in 1990, was the first graduate level educational institute set up by the Mata Amritanandamayi Math and became one of the leading institutions offering computer education in the state which will and continues to grow into Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. A one teacher School was also initiated in the tribal […]
1992
While many temples have shrines to more than one deity, each deity is represented by a separate murthi (idol). Amma’s temples have only one murthi. But in a revolutionary move, She instructed that the stone murthi be carved with four faces, one on each side. The shrine depicts the images of Shiva’s Divine family: Shiva, […]
While many temples have shrines to more than one deity, each deity is represented by a separate murthi (idol). Amma’s temples have only one murthi. But in a revolutionary move, She instructed that the stone murthi be carved with four faces, one on each side. The shrine depicts the images of Shiva’s Divine family: Shiva, […]
It was the first big cement structure to be built and took five years to finish – from 1988 to 1992 – as the financial means of the ashram were still very modest at the time.Above the central entrance stands a majestic statue of Lord Krishna driving the chariot of Arjuna during the Mahabharata War. […]
At Parippally, Kollam is one of the largest schools in Kerala to teach Sanskrit as the first language, and is one of the best schools in its district. In 1992 when the Government first introduced higher secondary courses in the private sector, ASHSS was the only school offering Sanskrit as one of the optional languages. […]
1993
While many temples have shrines to more than one deity, each deity is represented by a separate murthi (idol). Amma’s temples have only one murthi. But in a revolutionary move, She instructed that the stone murthi be carved with four faces, one on each side. The shrine depicts the images of Shiva’s Divine family: Shiva, […]
May Your Hearts Blossom Chicago, 3rd September 1993 Salutations to all of you who have come here today, you who are the embodiments of Supreme Love. Words cannot express the gratitude that Amma feels towards the sincere organizers who have taken the time and energy to bring this highly beneficial conference into being. Though living […]
1994
A small computer training institute in the Coimbatore city outskirts has been shifted to an obscure village named Ettimadai, at the foothills of Bouluvanpatty ranges of the Western Ghats in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu and renamed as College of Higher Education marking the beginnings of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
1995
While many temples have shrines to more than one deity, each deity is represented by a separate murthi (idol). Amma’s temples have only one murthi. But in a revolutionary move, She instructed that the stone murthi be carved with four faces, one on each side. The shrine depicts the images of Shiva’s Divine family: Shiva, […]
In 1995, Dr. P.C. Alexander, Governor of Maharashtra inaugurated the Amrita Kripa Sagar Hospice near Mumbai, only the third such institution of its kind in the country. The special significance of Amrita Kripa Sagar is the spiritual solace and atmosphere of love and compassion it provides to all resident patients. Amrita Kripa Sagar Hospice consists […]
While many temples have shrines to more than one deity, each deity is represented by a separate murthi (idol). Amma’s temples have only one murthi. But in a revolutionary move, She instructed that the stone murthi be carved with four faces, one on each side. The shrine depicts the images of Shiva’s Divine family: Shiva, […]
While many temples have shrines to more than one deity, each deity is represented by a separate murthi (idol). Amma’s temples have only one murthi. But in a revolutionary move, She instructed that the stone murthi be carved with four faces, one on each side. The shrine depicts the images of Shiva’s Divine family: Shiva, […]
Amma addresses the Interfaith Celebration in honour of the 50th anniversary of the United Nations, delivered at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York, 21 October 1995.
1996
Amrita Speech and Hearing Improvement School (ASHIS) starts in Thrissur, Kerala. ASHIS is one of the select special schools that scientifically teaches hearing impaired children to speak. Through their hard work coupled with the scientific method adopted, the students have a hundred percent pass rate in the Secondary School Leaving Examinations. Vocational training is imparted, […]
School of Business opens at the Coimbatore Campus, Tamil Nadu. School of Pharmacy begins at Kochi School of Engineering established in the Coimbatore Campus, Tamil Nadu.
Responding to cries for help from women who spent entire nights mopping rainwater out of their thatched huts, Amma initiated a house-building project, with a goal of building 25,000 homes throughout India. To date, more than 47,000 homes have been built in over 75 locations. With an average of six people living in each of […]
The Amrita Kripa charitable hospital is located on the beach road alongside the ashram in Amritapuri was started in 1996. It serves the coastal villagers free in consultations, procedures, lab works, and medicines. The residents of Amritapuri, including 3000 hostel students of the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and the devotee visitors to the ashram also take […]
1998
While many temples have shrines to more than one deity, each deity is represented by a separate murthi (idol). Amma’s temples have only one murthi. But in a revolutionary move, She instructed that the stone murthi be carved with four faces, one on each side. The shrine depicts the images of Shiva’s Divine family: Shiva, […]
On the 17th of May 1998, Amrita Hospital was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in the presence of Her Holiness, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (Amrita Hospital) has grown from a 115 bed specialty hospital to a 1300 bed super-specialty tertiary care health centre […]
Anbu Illam the Care home for elderly were established in Sivakasi, Tamilnadu.
LIFETIME PENSIONS FOR 69,000 WIDOWS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND WOMEN IN POVERTY Amrita Nidhi, the free pension project for destitute women and widows, begins in Kerala. Since 1998, Amma have provided monthly pensions for widows and other women in poverty. In 2006, the project was expanded to benefit the physically and mentally challenged and now […]
1999
While many temples have shrines to more than one deity, each deity is represented by a separate murthi (idol). Amma’s temples have only one murthi. But in a revolutionary move, She instructed that the stone murthi be carved with four faces, one on each side. The shrine depicts the images of Shiva’s Divine family: Shiva, […]
While many temples have shrines to more than one deity, each deity is represented by a separate murthi (idol). Amma’s temples have only one murthi. But in a revolutionary move, She instructed that the stone murthi be carved with four faces, one on each side. The shrine depicts the images of Shiva’s Divine family: Shiva, […]
2000
While many temples have shrines to more than one deity, each deity is represented by a separate murthi (idol). Amma’s temples have only one murthi. But in a revolutionary move, She instructed that the stone murthi be carved with four faces, one on each side. The shrine depicts the images of Shiva’s Divine family: Shiva, […]
From 2000 onwards, even the kali temple became too small for the nights with large crowds, and an enormous hall was erected behind the temple. It is today the largest such hall in Southern India, with 30,000 sq. feet and no pillars to block the view. This is where Amma sings bhajans every night and […]
Amma’s address on ‘the role of religion in conflict transformation’, at the Millennium World Peace Summit, United Nations, 29th August, 2000 “Salutations to all gathered here, who are verily the embodiments of love and the Supreme Self. We have stepped into the new Millennium with great hopes and expectations of change. But though the numbers […]
2001
The earthquake that struck Gujarat in 2001 claimed the lives of almost 20,000 people. Amma’s response was immediate. AIMS Hospital dispatched a disaster-relief team of a dozen surgeons and two fully equipped ambulances that facilitated expert trauma care in the devastated areas. The doctors performed lifesaving operations in extremely makeshift conditions. One hundred students from […]
While many temples have shrines to more than one deity, each deity is represented by a separate murthi (idol). Amma’s temples have only one murthi. But in a revolutionary move, She instructed that the stone murthi be carved with four faces, one on each side. The shrine depicts the images of Shiva’s Divine family: Shiva, […]
While many temples have shrines to more than one deity, each deity is represented by a separate murthi (idol). Amma’s temples have only one murthi. But in a revolutionary move, She instructed that the stone murthi be carved with four faces, one on each side. The shrine depicts the images of Shiva’s Divine family: Shiva, […]
2002
While many temples have shrines to more than one deity, each deity is represented by a separate murthi (idol). Amma’s temples have only one murthi. But in a revolutionary move, She instructed that the stone murthi be carved with four faces, one on each side. The shrine depicts the images of Shiva’s Divine family: Shiva, […]
The 1st phase construction of about 1000 houses, school, primary health centre have been completed. Click Here to Read About the News
Amma declared a second phase for the project aiming to build 100000 more houses.
The Chief Minister of Kerala Shri. A.K. Antony inaugurated the college of medicine which is the first-ever to come up in the private sector in Kerala. In his inaugural address, the Chief Minister described the opening of the first private medical college in the State as a historic event and said that his government would […]
United Nations General Assembly Hall (Palais Des Nations), Geneva In 2002, Amma was presented with the Gandhi-King Award for Non-violence, given in recognition of Her lifelong work in furthering the principles of non-violence. The Gandhi-King Award is a joint initiative of the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders and the World Movement […]
2003
While many temples have shrines to more than one deity, each deity is represented by a separate murthi (idol). Amma’s temples have only one murthi. But in a revolutionary move, She instructed that the stone murthi be carved with four faces, one on each side. The shrine depicts the images of Shiva’s Divine family: Shiva, […]
Government confers ‘Deemed-to-be-University’[Private Universty] status on Amrita Institutions of Higher Learning. College of Medicine(Kochi) and College of Engineering(Coimbatore) annexed as Schools affiliated to the University AICT(Amritapuri) annexed as School of Applied Sciences New Schools of Engineering started at Amritapuri and Bengaluru School of Dentistry Established at Kochi Healthcare Campus School of Arts and Sciences started […]
While many temples have shrines to more than one deity, each deity is represented by a separate murthi (idol). Amma’s temples have only one murthi. But in a revolutionary move, She instructed that the stone murthi be carved with four faces, one on each side. The shrine depicts the images of Shiva’s Divine family: Shiva, […]
Care homes were established in Kerala to provide shelter for the elderly.
On 25 September 2003, the hospice was inaugurated in the presence of Amma by Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, India’s Honourable Union Minister for Human Resource Development. Shri. T.N. Chathurvedi, His Excellency the Governor of Karnataka, and Smt. K.R. Gouri, Kerala’s Minister of Agriculture were also present when Dr. Joshi unveiled the building’s cornerstone. Read Full […]
IAM(Integrated Amrita Meditation) Technique is a simple combination of yoga, pranayama and meditation that takes just 20 minutes a day. It is a meditation technique for modern days.The technique is a synthesis of traditional, time-tested methods suited for the current mental conditions, time-constraints and needs of modern man. Amma’s disciples teach the technique, free of […]
