Matha Amrithanandamayi Ashram

Matha Amrithanandamayi Ashram is located in Vallikavu in Kollam district. It is popularly called as Matha Amrithanandamayi Matt and it is the residence of Matha Amrithanandamayi Devi who is a great guru and a spiritual Hindu leader. She is popularly called as ‘Amma’ and is famous for her humanitarian services. It is believed that one who gets a hug from Amma will be relieved from all sufferings and pain.

Matha Amrithanandamayi Ashram was set up in the year 1979 by the devotees who were followers of Amma. They wish to remain together under her guidance and so established this ashram. This Ashram is now well known as Amritapuri. There is a temple here and the deity in this temple is goddess Kaali. It acts as an organization for various educational institutions and other social and cultural activities. There is also a book stall, general store and a cloakroom available. Besides these there are also a charitable hospital, telephone booth, Amritapuri Post office and Extension counter of Dhanlakshmi Bank in the Ashram premises.

At present Amritapuri is an International pilgrim centre. Thousands of people especially foreigners are devotees of Amma and come from all part of the world to this ashram yearly. In this Ashram Amma conducts speeches illustrating examples from her life. She is very patient enough to hear the problems of her devotees. Amma give darshan to her devotees on Sundays and Thursdays at 10 am and the other days except Monday and Tuesdays at noon. On Mondays Amma has to look after the administration of the various institutions under her. On Tuesdays, Amma spend her time doing meditations. On Sundays and Thursdays Bhajans are conducted at the Ashram in the evening.

The daily events in the Ashram include Bhajan in the early morning that starts at 5 am. The prayers recited include the Vedic chants, Amma’s Ashtothatara and, Lalitha Sahasranamam. This Sahasranamam is recited all day long and the devotees can participate at any time. A Ganapathi homam is also conducted in the morning. Besides there are meditations and various spiritual classes held regularly. In the evening, devotional singing is conducted along with Amma.

There are facilities to accommodate around 700 devotees at the same time. Rooms and dormitories are provided here. If the devotees are coming in large groups they have to inform the Ashram in advance for accommodation. The devotees who stay here have to follow the strict rules in the ashram. They are also supposed to do Seva by cooking food and cleaning the places. They have to maintain the premises well. Only vegetarian meals are available here and smoking and drinking is also prohibited.