Mata Amritanandamayi
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Followers wait in a seated line holding numbered tokens to be redeemed for personal blessings from spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center on Friday. The woman known as the "hugging saint" smiles as a steady stream of visitors approach her. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)
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Followers wait in a seated line holding numbered tokens to be redeemed for personal blessings from spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center on Friday. The woman known as the "hugging saint" smiles as a steady stream of visitors approach her. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)
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Volunteer Kerry Fitzpatrick of Seattle, Wash. walks around with a sign asking for help washing dishes as spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi, also known as "Amma" or the "Hugging Saint," hugs and blesses followers at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, Va., Friday, July 6, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)
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Spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi, top center, also known as "Amma" or the "Hugging Saint," receives a follower with a hug and blessing at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, Va., Friday, July 6, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)
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Hindu spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi, also known as "Amma," has followers who believe that her hugs have healing properties. It is estimated that she has given more than 32 million hugs during her life. (Associated Press)
