Spiritual project: The "Hugging Saint", as she is fondly known, will visit Ireland for the first time this weekend. Mata Amritananda Mayi or Amma (Mother) has hugged 23 million people from all races, religions and colours around the world.
From a small fishing village in India, her message of love, compassion and selfless service has united people of many nations. Asked by The Irish Times what was so special about her embrace that no-one seems capable of resisting, her answer was simple: "Amma is helping people to awaken motherhood which is the need of the hour.
"It is the sweetness and power of pure love which is irresistible."
For millions she is regarded as the epitome of universal motherhood.
Amma, now 51 often sits for 20 hours without a break and has been known to hug up to 30,000 people in a day.
In 2002 the internationally renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader, who has established a vast charitable network, received the Gandhi-King Award for Non-Violence at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva. Former recipients include Nelson Mandela and Kofi Anan.
And at this year's Parliament of World Religions in Barcelona she gave the closing address. The opening speech was made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Daughter of the late Martin Luther King, Yolanda King has said: "I felt a sublime spiritual energy in me when she hugged me.
"I could grasp for the first time the essence of true fulfilment and unconditional love. I felt like flying without wings."