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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2009}}
[[File:Amritapuri.jpg|thumb|312x312px|The Main Ashram of Sri [[Mata Amritanandamayi]] Devi]]
'''Amritapuri''' originally Parayakadavu, is the main [[Ashram]] of [[Mata Amritanandamayi|Mata Amritanandamayi Devi]], the world-renowned spiritual master, also called hugging saint. She is also known by Amma, which means 'Mother' in many South Indian languages. This place is also the International Headquarters of [[Mata Amritanandamayi Math]]. It is located in the state of [[Kerala]], which is 8 km away from Karunagappally, 29 km away from [[Kollam]], about 110 km north of [[Thiruvananthapuram]], and 120 km south of [[Kochi]]. Amritapuri is also the name by which the location of the ashram is now known.

Amritapuri<ref>{{cite web|title=Official website of Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Dev of Amritapuri|url=https://www.amritapuri.org/}}</ref> is spread over 100 acres of land and is also the headquarters, and one of the seven campuses of the [[Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham]] alias Amrita University.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official website of Amrita University|url=https://www.amrita.edu/campus/amritapuri}}</ref>

"Embracing the World“ is a global charity foundation operating under Mata Amritanandamayi Math.<ref>{{cite web|title=Embracing the World, a charitable trust|url=http://www.embracingtheworld.org/about-us/}}</ref>

== History of the Ashram ==
Initially, the Ashram was Amma's family home. Gradually, as Amma attracted more disciples, huts were built for them. In the same manner, the simple room where Amma still stays was also made. Throughout the early years of the Ashram, [[Darśana|Darshan]] took place in the family cowshed. The cowshed was eventually converted into a small temple, the [[Kalari]], which still exists today (it is now used to conduct [[Puja (Hinduism)|pujas]].)

Eventually, the number of visitors coming for Amma's darshan surpassed the Kalari's capacity. The Kali Temple was built at this time. It was the first large cement structure in the Ashram, built with only a modest budget, and took five years to finish (1988 to 1992). The [[Kali]] [[murti]] (based on the Kali at [[Dakshineswar Kali Temple|Dakhshineshwar Kali Temple]]) was crafted in [[Kolkata]] as per Amma's directions. The Kali Temple served as Amma's Darshan hall for the next few years.

After 2000, the Kali temple became too small for the large crowds coming to the Ashram, and an immense hall was built behind the temple. The main Darshan hall is the largest such hall in Southern India (30,000 sq. feet) with a seamless view with no obstructions. This main hall is where bhajans and darshan are held regularly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amritapuri.org/ashram/history|title=History of Amritapuri|website=Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref>

Amritapuri now consists of flats for householders and visitors, hostels for students who study at the ashram college, large dining halls, offices and departments, and a hospital. After the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami]], (when the Ashram was severely affected) the Amrita Setu Bridge was constructed for easy accessibility across the river. The bridge was inaugurated by [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam|APJ Abdul Kalam]], former president of India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amritapuri.org/9514/06-setu.aum|title=President Kalam inaugurates Amrita Setu|date=2006-12-20|website=Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref>

== Transport ==
Nearest KSRTC bus stations - 1. [[Oachira]] (5 km) 2. [[Karunagappalli]] (9 km)

Nearest railway stations -

1. [[Ochira railway station|Oachira]] (ocr) (9 km) 2. {{rws|Karunagappally}} (kpy) (9 km), 3. [[Kayamkulam Junction railway station|Kayamkulam]] (kyj) (15 km)

{{coord|9.089736|N|76.485908|E|source:kolossus-dewiki|display=title}}Nearest municipalities- 1.[[Karunagappalli]] (9 km) 2.Kayamkulam (14 km)

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Ashrams]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures in Thiruvananthapuram district]]

{{Kerala-geo-stub}}

Amritapuri - Revision history

CleanupBot at 07:38, 11 December 2022