Thousands Expected to Get Hugs at Hyatt Regency Reston

Indian spiritual leader Amma, known as "the Hugging Saint," is in Reston Wednesday and Thursday, where thousands of people are expected to wait in line to greet her - and maybe get a hug.

Amma is on a North American tour that will be at the Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

When she visited the D.C. area last year, about 10,000 came out to see her at the Hilton Mark Center in Alexandria.  Visitors first performed a ritual worship of the holy woman's feet, and then they waited for several hours to get a long, tender embrace.

The Reston event is free, although visitors can purchase goods from concessions that will benefit charity.