Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 45th anniversary celebrations of the Art of Living Foundation in Bengaluru, where he inaugurated the newly built Dhyan Mandir at the organisation’s international centre. The event was also organised ahead of the 70th birthday of spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, whose birthday falls on May 13. Thousands of followers, guests and spiritual leaders were present during the celebrations.
‘I will return for the centenary celebrations’
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi congratulated Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for his 70th birthday and praised his contribution to spirituality and social service.
“Today’s event marks Gurudev’s 70th year celebrations. When the centenary celebrations take place, I will return again to be a part of them,” PM Modi said. He also praised the newly inaugurated Dhyan Mandir and said that work done with dedication and a spirit of service always leads to positive results.
“Today, this divine and grand Dhyan Mandir has been inaugurated. When the resolve is clear and work is done with a spirit of service, every effort brings positive and meaningful results,” he said.
PM Modi highlights importance of public participation
During the programme, the Prime Minister spoke about the role of society in nation-building and said no mission can succeed without people’s active support. Using the Swachh Bharat campaign as an example, he said it had now become a people-driven movement rather than just a government programme.
“I have always believed that society is more powerful than politics and governments,” PM Modi said.
Bengaluru recognised for technology and spirituality
PM Modi also praised Bengaluru for contributing not only to India’s technology growth but also to spirituality and cultural identity.
“Bengaluru is known globally for software, but it has also taken India’s spiritual consciousness to new heights,” he said. He further shed light on the contribution of India’s youth in areas like startups, innovation, digital payments and space technology.
Dhyan Mandir inaguration
The newly constructed Dhyan Mandir emerged as one of the main highlights of the celebrations, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the modern meditation centre in the presence of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and senior members of the Art of Living Foundation. The foundation, established in 1981, today operates in over 180 countries and is widely known for its work in meditation, wellness and humanitarian service.
The new Dhyan Mandir has been designed as a large, multi-purpose spiritual and event space with a lower-level hall equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual facilities, a main stage along with a dedicated platform for homas, and full AV and video recording systems. It also features a full-length digital screen behind the stage, additional digital displays in the hall, a modern sound system with acoustic design, and a translator’s cabin for multilingual events.
The space has been thoughtfully divided into zones for better management, each with separate entry and exit points, show racks and water facilities, along with ample male and female restrooms. Supporting infrastructure includes souvenir shops, cafés, drinking water points, emergency evacuation systems, fire safety arrangements, ambulance support, green rooms, backstage areas and a VIP lounge, making it a fully equipped centre for large-scale spiritual and cultural gatherings.