Bengaluru, May 15, 2026: A rare confluence of spiritual leaders, policymakers, artists, industrialists, educators, athletes and social changemakers gathered at The Art of Living International Center in Bengaluru as Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar entered his 70th year and The Art of Living marked 45 years of global service, humanitarian outreach and spiritual leadership.
The month-long celebrations at the Bengaluru Ashram brought together dignitaries from across governance, culture, spirituality, business and public life, reflecting the extraordinary global impact of the movement founded by Gurudev in 1981 with the vision of creating a stress-free, violence-free society.
Among those who visited the ashram were Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis, Hon. Governor of Haryana Professor Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Dattatreya Hosabale, General Secretary, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, five-time National Women’s Heavyweight Champion Nupur Sheoren, Hon. Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse, along with parliamentarians, ministers, artists, entrepreneurs and social leaders.
Leaders Praise Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Global Impact
Addressing the gathering, Shri Devendra Fadnavis described Gurudev as “India’s biggest spiritual ambassador to the entire world.”
“The vision we hold of India as a Vishwaguru is not merely rooted in economic or military power, but in spiritual power. And the path towards becoming that spiritual superpower is guided by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar,” he said.
Calling Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar a force that has carried India’s civilisational wisdom to the world, Shri Devendra Fadnavis added, “He has presented our spiritual thought, our universal knowledge and our entire wisdom before the world, and has worked to draw the world’s attention towards us.”
Highlighting The Art of Living’s service initiatives in Maharashtra, he said, “The way Art of Living has worked in water conservation has transformed people’s lives. Through natural farming, farmers who had fallen into despair were inspired by Gurudev and empowered to transform their own lives.”
He further acknowledged the organisation’s humanitarian presence during crises and disasters: “Wherever there is a calamity, wherever there is a disaster, Art of Living is present there. Carrying Gurudev’s message, thousands and thousands of volunteers work there with great discipline.”
Hon. Governor of Haryana Professor Ashim Kumar Ghosh reflected on Gurudev’s global spiritual influence and the organisation’s journey over the past four-and-a-half decades.
“Forty-five years ago, Gurudev lit a lamp of awareness and compassion in this very land of Karnataka. Today, that lamp illuminates more than 182 countries, touching over 1 billion souls.”
Speaking about Gurudev’s contribution to global peace and inner transformation, he added, “Gurudev has given the world not just knowledge, but a path — a living, breathing spiritual experience that transforms stress into serenity, conflict into compassion, and despair into hope and devotion.”
Meditation, Service And Global Outreach Mark Celebrations
The dignitaries joined Gurudev for a special satsang and meditation at the newly inaugurated Dhyan Mandir, the iconic meditation hall inaugurated earlier this month by Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Earlier this week, crores of people from across 182 countries joined the “World Meditates with Gurudev for Global Peace” event online and in person — one of the world’s largest collective meditation gatherings.
Reflecting on The Art of Living’s extraordinary global journey, Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had remarked during the inauguration of Dhyan Mandir, “Today, it stands before us like a vast banyan tree, whose thousands of branches are touching countless lives across the world.”
The Prime Minister also launched nine nationwide service initiatives focused on education, women and youth empowerment, healthcare, environmental conservation, digital literacy, tribal welfare, prison reform and sustainable development.
During the satsang, Gurudev spoke about meditation, joy, inner peace and the deeper meaning of life. “The main point is this: life itself is a celebration. Whatever we have received in life is all Divine grace,” Gurudev shared.
Speaking on mental well-being and spiritual strength, he said, “When the mind becomes peaceful, silent and joyful, the intellect becomes sharp, the mind blossoms, the body gains strength and good actions happen through you.”
Reflecting on faith and awareness, Gurudev added, “The way to always keep your mind joyful is faith. God is with us, and whatever is best for us, He will surely give us.”
The celebrations also brought together achievers from diverse fields who shared how meditation and Sudarshan Kriya transformed their personal and professional journeys.
One such testimony came from Indian heavyweight boxing world champion Nupur Sheoran, who shared, “I started doing Sudarshan Kriya in 2024, and in 2025, I became a World Cup Champion and World No. 2.”
Guests visiting the International Center toured the expansive green and sustainable campus, including the Sri Sri Gaushala, home to over 1,600 indigenous cows across 19 rare breeds, and the Gurukul Ved Agama Paathshala, dedicated to preserving ancient Vedic knowledge systems alongside modern education, the Art of Living Free School and the Kitchen, which feeds more than 20,000 people daily.
The Hon. Governor of Haryana also witnessed demonstrations by children trained in The Art of Living’s Intuition Process programme, designed to awaken intuitive abilities and deeper awareness in children through meditation and breathing practices.
Over the last 45 years, The Art of Living has emerged as one of the world’s largest volunteer-driven humanitarian movements, touching more than one billion lives across 182 countries through meditation, education, trauma relief, environmental action, women’s empowerment, prison programmes, youth leadership and disaster response initiatives.
As Gurudev enters his seventieth year, the celebrations at the International Center stand as a reflection of his enduring vision that lasting transformation in society begins with inner peace, human values, service and a deep sense of belongingness.
