Hugging all over the world: Amma in New York, Santiago, Zurich, Rio By Mario Cacciottolo BBC News When it comes to being tactile, the British are notoriously, well, hands-off. So what leads hundreds of people to travel to a giant hall in London all for a hug?
Hugging all over the world: Amma in New York, Santiago, Zurich, Rio By Mario Cacciottolo BBC News When it comes to being tactile, the British are notoriously, well, hands-off. So what leads hundreds of people to travel to a giant hall in London all for a hug?
"Yes," replies the bus driver, somewhat wearily, for the third time, "this does go to Alexandra Palace".
"Yes," replies the bus driver, somewhat wearily, for the third time, "this does go to Alexandra Palace".
Amma, the "Hugging Saint", is in town. And this procession of slightly disoriented passengers are among the crowds making their way to be embraced by her at the north London venue.
Amma, the "Hugging Saint", is in town. And this procession of slightly disoriented passengers are among the crowds making their way to be embraced by her at the north London venue.
For 30 years Indian spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi, to give her her real name, has been hugging people, leading some to give her a saintly nickname.
For 30 years Indian spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi, to give her her real name, has been hugging people, leading some to give her a saintly nickname.
The time it takes and money it costs to fly over from Australia is worth it for a hug with Amma Suraj Vagjiani
The time it takes and money it costs to fly over from Australia is worth it for a hug with Amma Suraj Vagjiani
This really is as simple as it sounds.
This really is as simple as it sounds.
Amma sits on a slighted elevated seat. Strangers come before her, kneeling, and she embraces each as though they were her own flesh and blood.
Amma sits on a slighted elevated seat. Strangers come before her, kneeling, and she embraces each as though they were her own flesh and blood.
Time spent with Amma is free and she does not promote any particular faith, being for "all religions and none". She is said to have dolled out some 26 million hugs, or "darshan", as the experience is known. Each is counted off with a clicker.
Time spent with Amma is free and she does not promote any particular faith, being for "all religions and none". She is said to have dolled out some 26 million hugs, or "darshan", as the experience is known. Each is counted off with a clicker.
She has said that to hug someone is to symbolise giving, and that her embrace should help awaken the spirit of selflessness in people.
She has said that to hug someone is to symbolise giving, and that her embrace should help awaken the spirit of selflessness in people.
But there's more than just a cuddle being dished out here. Her charity, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, has UN consultative status, claims to have built more than 36,000 homes and several hospitals for India's poor.
But there's more than just a cuddle being dished out here. Her charity, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, has UN consultative status and claims to have built more than 36,000 homes and several hospitals for India's poor.
Small hours
Small hours
Now, for the 20th year, she is back in the UK, and the main hall at Alexandra Palace thrives with the smell of incense and the sound of musical chanting.
Now, for the 20th year, she is back in the UK, and the main hall at Alexandra Palace thrives with the smell of incense and the sound of musical chanting.
Katarina Diss said she was left "dazed" by her hugRows of neatly stacked chairs are filled with people waiting for Amma's highly efficient army of volunteers to marshal them for their darshan experience.
Katarina Diss said she was left "dazed" by her hugRows of neatly stacked chairs are filled with people waiting for Amma's highly efficient army of volunteers to marshal them for their darshan experience.
Once such volunteer Julia Lewis, a 36-year-old management consultant, says no-one leaves unhugged.
Once such volunteer Julia Lewis, a 36-year-old management consultant, says no-one leaves unhugged.
"Amma will stay until 2am, 3am, 4am or later, until there is no-one left. She does not get up, she'll just sit there the entire time and has about an hour and a half to sleep before she starts again."
"Amma will stay until 2am, 3am, 4am or later, until there is no-one left. She does not get up, she'll just sit there the entire time and has about an hour and a half to sleep before she starts again."
Katarina Diss, 52, of Bedfordshire, is one of those at the event who has experienced darshan for the first time.
Katarina Diss, 52, of Bedfordshire, is one of those at the event who has experienced darshan for the first time.
"It's difficult to put into words," she says. "You are touched by something very profound that ripples through you. It's something that's going to unravel itself over time, I think."
"It's difficult to put into words," she says. "You are touched by something very profound that ripples through you. It's something that's going to unravel itself over time, I think."
Australian Suraj Vagjiani is testament to the sort of devotion that Amma commands. When he heard she was appearing in London he scraped together £650 for a one-way ticket just to see her - although a trip to India would have used fewer air miles.
Australian Suraj Vagjiani is testament to the sort of devotion that Amma commands. When he heard she was appearing in London he scraped together £650 for a one-way ticket just to see her - although a trip to India would have used fewer air miles.
12,000-mile hug
12,000-mile hug
"I love to experience time with Amma. The time it takes and money it costs to fly over from Australia is worth it for a hug with Amma."
"I love to experience time with Amma. The time it takes and money it costs to fly over from Australia is worth it for a hug with Amma."
I don't expect anything from anyone - my life is to give, not to take Amma How what is it about a hug that has these people so enraptured?
I don't expect anything from anyone - my life is to give, not to take Amma What is it about a hug that has these people so enraptured?
Psychologist Dr Elvidina Adamson-Macedo says being hugged can release powerful natural chemicals in the body.
Psychologist Dr Elvidina Adamson-Macedo says being hugged can release powerful natural chemicals in the body.
"Beta-endorphins are released when you are relaxed, and are a natural opium. A hug can induce that in a person.
"Beta-endorphins are released when you are relaxed, and are a natural opium. A hug can induce that in a person.
"Opening your arms is the act of a mother, who is ready to comfort her child. But it's not only the action, it's everything that comes with it - the emotions and affection that's translated into a non-verbal action.
"Opening your arms is the act of a mother, who is ready to comfort her child. But it's not only the action, it's everything that comes with it - the emotions and affection that's translated into a non-verbal action.
"But it has to be right. It would not work if it was just a performance."
"But it has to be right. It would not work if it was just a performance."
It sounds credible, but Amma doesn't have a monopoly on embracing. So what's her magic?
It sounds credible, but Amma doesn't have a monopoly on embracing. So what's her magic?
Special vibrations
Special vibrations
I'm about to find out. I approach as she holds a constant stream of people close, murmuring in their ears, laughing and smiling like a playful schoolgirl at those who kneel before her. She hands out sweets, presses apples into palms and swiftly scatters flower petals through the air.
I'm about to find out. I approach as she holds a constant stream of people close, murmuring in their ears, laughing and smiling like a playful schoolgirl at those who kneel before her. She hands out sweets, presses apples into palms and swiftly scatters flower petals through the air.
Your correspondent gets a hug and some comforting wordsSome seem relaxed. Some are beaming from ear to ear. A few are overcome and simply sob in her arms. Amma takes each one in her stride, remaining a warm and comforting rock to which they literally cling. It is a moving sight, and strangely not uncomfortable.
Your correspondent gets a hug and some comforting wordsSome seem relaxed. Some are beaming from ear to ear. A few are overcome and simply sob in her arms. Amma takes each one in her stride, remaining a warm and comforting rock to which they literally cling. It is a moving sight, and strangely not uncomfortable.
While continuing to hug, she explains through a translator that "everything in this world has a vibration".
While continuing to hug, she explains through a translator that "everything in this world has a vibration".
"Every emotion that you can think of has a vibration," she says. "Love is a very special, very uplifting vibration.
"Every emotion that you can think of has a vibration," she says. "Love is a very special, very uplifting vibration.
"That's what I'm trying to give people. It's like visiting a perfume factory. Consciously or unconsciously you will carry that fragrance around with you."
"That's what I'm trying to give people. It's like visiting a perfume factory. Consciously or unconsciously you will carry that fragrance around with you."
When asked what she gets out of hugging people, she lets out a short, excited giggle, as though the question had caught her by surprise.
When asked what she gets out of hugging people, she lets out a short, excited giggle, as though the question had caught her by surprise.
"I don't expect anything from anyone. My life is to give, not to take."
"I don't expect anything from anyone. My life is to give, not to take."
Now it's my turn to experience darshan. I kneel before Amma and shuffle forwards. She flings her arms open with a delighted smile that reminds me of the infrequent occasions that I go back to see my mother.
Now it's my turn to experience darshan. I kneel before Amma and shuffle forwards. She flings her arms open with a delighted smile that reminds me of the infrequent occasions that I go back to see my mother.
Heart leap
Heart leap
Amma takes me in her arms and I melt naturally into her embrace. Everything goes black. There is noise out there, but it seems to just become an indecipherable hum. It's just calm and comfortable in my head and heart.
Amma takes me in her arms and I melt naturally into her embrace. Everything goes black. There is noise out there, but it seems to just become an indecipherable hum. It's just calm and comfortable in my head and heart.
Her robes are beautifully fragrant, and for the rest of the day I keep getting wafts of it, distracting me momentarily from whatever I'm doing.
Her robes are beautifully fragrant, and for the rest of the day I keep getting wafts of it, distracting me momentarily from whatever I'm doing.
Amma murmurs into my ear, repeating something that sounds like "Lo, Lo, Lo." Whatever the words, they have a power.
Amma murmurs into my ear, repeating something that sounds like "Lo, Lo, Lo." Whatever the words, they have a power.
She kisses my forehead and cheek, and finally we part. She lifts up my hands and kisses them, and that for some reason makes my heart leap.
She kisses my forehead and cheek, and finally we part. She lifts up my hands and kisses them, and that for some reason makes my heart leap.
There are beaming smiles all round. I thank her and to my surprise, as I stand, I'm a little wobbly on my feet.
There are beaming smiles all round. I thank her and to my surprise, as I stand, I'm a little wobbly on my feet.
Amma, incidentally, means mother. On the way home, I call mine.
Amma, incidentally, means mother. On the way home, I call mine.
Amma is appearing at Alexandra Palace until Friday, 7 December. Sessions begin at 1000 and 1900 GMT.
Amma is appearing at Alexandra Palace until Friday, 7 December. Sessions begin at 1000 and 1900 GMT.
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