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Amma Sri Karunamayi Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 28, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth21 October 1958

Age66 Years

BirthplaceAndhra Pradesh, India

ProfessionSpiritual leader

NationalityIndian

Marital statusUnmarried

FamilyFather - Sri Suba Ramana; Mother - Srimati Annapurna Ma; Sister - Akkayya

Amma Sri Karunamayi Biography

Amma Sri Karunamayi is an Indian spiritual leader known for decades of meditation, international teaching tours, and charitable work through organisations,

Early life and background

Amma Sri Karunamayi was born on 21 October 1958 in Andhra Pradesh, India. From an early age she devoted herself to prayer and meditation, spending long hours in the worship room at home and favoring spiritual practice over ordinary childhood pursuits. Her parents were Sri Suba Ramana and Srimati Annapurna Ma.

As a young adult she undertook extended periods of solitary practice. At 21 she sequestered herself in a room for a month to intensify her sadhana. In 1980 she undertook a rigorous meditative retreat in the Penusila forest of Andhra Pradesh, wearing a simple cotton sari and remaining for days and weeks at a time amid the remote wilds.

Career

Amma Sri Karunamayi is recognized primarily as a spiritual leader. She established a formal organisational base for her work in 1988 when she founded SMVA Trust, a non-profit that is affiliated with the United Nations Department of Public Information. The trust coordinates volunteer initiatives under the banner Karunaseva Compassionate Service and supports a range of humanitarian and educational projects.

She is also the founder and spiritual head of Manidweepa Maha Samsthanam, an ashram complex that includes the Sri Lalita Parameshwari Devi Tri-Shakti Peetham in Penchalakona, Andhra Pradesh. Her charitable initiatives include a 100-bed free hospital serving underprivileged villages in Andhra Pradesh, a free school, a home for the elderly, and food distribution programs.

Her public teaching extended internationally beginning in the mid-1990s. In 1995 she travelled to the United States to offer public programs, and subsequently began making annual international visits. Her meditation retreats and programs have been held in countries including Canada, across Europe, India, and Australia.

Amma has also authored several books aimed at sharing her spiritual teachings. Titles attributed to her include the multi-volume Blessed Souls (Volumes 1–5), Divine Wisdom, and Keys to Sadhana.

Public profile

She is known by several honorifics and names, including Bhagavati Sri Sri Sri Vijayeswari Devi, Karunamayi Ma, and Amma. She follows Hinduism and is reported to hold a universal view toward religions, emphasizing equality among faiths. Amma adheres to a vegetarian diet.

Her work and leadership have been recognized with awards and honours. Noted accolades include the Golden Eagle Award in 2012, the Woman of the Year Award in 2013, a Golden Swan Award in 2013, and an official proclamation from the State of Illinois in 2014 acknowledging her guidance and commitment to service.

Personal life

Amma Sri Karunamayi is unmarried. Her immediate family includes her parents and at least one sister named Akkayya. Physical descriptions recorded for her note black hair and black eyes. Her zodiac sign is Libra.

Anecdotes and charitable impact

Accounts associated with Amma's life describe instances where those in her care experienced recoveries and relief following her attention or intercession. Her organisation’s projects emphasize free education, accessible medical care, and support for older adults and vulnerable communities.

Latest updates

Her international teaching activities, meditation retreats, and humanitarian programs continue to form the core of her public work. SMVA Trust and the Manidweepa Maha Samsthanam remain central institutions through which she directs charitable service and spiritual outreach.
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Recent Work

Meditation retreats and international public programs

Annual international visits for retreats and public programs in countries including the USA, Canada, Europe, India, and Australia.

1995–present
SMVA Trust (founder)

Established a global non-profit in 1988 affiliated with the United Nations DPI to run volunteer initiatives and charitable services.

1988
Manidweepa Maha Samsthanam (founder and spiritual head)

Founded the ashram in Penchalakona, Andhra Pradesh, which includes the Sri Lalita Parameshwari Devi Tri-Shakti Peetham.

Publications

Authored Blessed Souls Volumes 1–5, Divine Wisdom, and Keys to Sadhana.

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Career Highlights

  1. Founded SMVA Trust, a non-profit affiliated with the United Nations DPI
  2. Established the Manidweepa Maha Samsthanam ashram in Penchalakona
  3. Runs a 100-bed free hospital and other charitable projects
  4. Began annual international teaching visits from 1995 onward
  5. Author of several spiritual books
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Amma Sri Karunamayi born?

21 October 1958

What is Amma Sri Karunamayi known for?

Spiritual leader

What is Amma Sri Karunamayi’s marital status?

Unmarried