23/8/2007 - 09:24(EST)

More than 20,000 Chileans await the embrace of an Indian spiritual leader

With the hope that she can cure diseases or solve their problems or simply to feel 'her warmth', more than 20,000 Chileans waited for hours to sit on the lap of the Indian spiritual leader Amma, famous for her 'healing embraces'.

Seated on a comfortable chair, surrounded by visitors and dressed completely in white, Amma smiles and opens her arms time and time again. Between Thursday and Saturday, the spiritual leader embraced more than 20,000 Chileans, according to the visit organizers, who said they were amazed by her calling power. It is estimated that she has hugged some 30 million people worldwide over two decades, according to her followers.

'I come so she can give us energy and my daughter can have a good recovery', Claudia, a young mother pushing a wheelchair with her 7-year old daughter lying in it, told AFP. 'I didn’t know her but I saw her on the television and wanted to come. I simply believe in God but have faith that she will help me and cure me', said Margarita, aged 70.

In a room at the Espacio Riesco events center in Santiago, an exclusive site for electronic parties or business meetings, her audience was large and varied: young hippies, students, old people, some television actresses, housewives and children.

Even two police officers arrived to greet her on behalf of their precinct where they work with children suffering from AIDS and cancer. 'I felt her warmth. It was fantastic, amazing. We are going to pass this on to the children', one of the officers told AFP. The other tried his tears in silence while he looked at the orange the spiritual leader had given him.

Each of those present must have waited many hours to welcome the spiritual leader’s embrace, first seated and then, as they began to get closer to Amma, on their knees. The faithful also had to clean their face with paper towels provided by the organization. The long wait was made even more interesting by a group of musicians located behind the ‘guru’ playing Indian tunes.

Many of those who had already received the coveted embrace continued to sit around Amma because the program of activities also included meditation sessions directed by the 'guru' who only interrupts her hugging marathon for a few hours a day.

There were also a large variety of souvenirs: photos, handkerchiefs, incense, aromatic oils, sandals and some jewelry. There were also exclusive saris or traditional silk dresses embroidered with gold with the cheapest costing 480 dollars (351 euros). According to one saleswoman, they had been used by Amma and still had 'her energy'.

Amma’s visit to Chile is the first ever made to Latin America and it cost some 105,000 dollars (some 77,000 euros), covered by donations and souvenir sales. Part of the money collected is also given to charity through her foundation, dedicated to building houses or hospitals or helping in the event of catastrophes such as the tsunami in Indonesia.

On arriving in Chile, Amma, aged 54, also met with the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, on Wednesday. Her tour will end this Sunday after a party that will start on Saturday afternoon at the same location. After Santiago, Amma will visit Rio de Janeiro before returning to India.

AFP