When in Indiana, we noticed a couple and their Vermont plates from a previous rest stop and asked them where they were headed. They told us they were going to see Amma, an Indian hugging saint, outside of Chicago before heading to the Rainbow Gathering in Utah. Her hugs are considered a blessing, so we decided to check it out after Chicago.
The event was at the Ma Center in Elburn, Illinois, a rural area just West of the suburbs. People from near and far came to fill this auditorium and hug Amma. They could buy offerings, such as those pictured above and below.
A captive audience as Amma came on stage.
What a production! Indian food, fresh juice, traditional clothes, souveniers, photos with Amma, etc. for sale as people chanted along with the prayers on big screens.
There she is! People dropped down on their knees when Amma appeared on stage, and the feeling of devotion was palpable.
In order to hug Amma, you had to have arrived much earlier to collect a token, so we just watched. Assistants on stage collected offerings and helped the pilgrims get on their knees to embrace her while a video crew filmed the entire event.
Not what you'd expect in rural Illinois! Next stop, Iowa...
