Hyderabad: The Ministry of Culture (Special Cell) and Heartfulness are going to hold a one-of-a-kind spiritual congregation, called the Global Spirituality Mahotsav from March 14 to 17 at Kanha Shanti Vanam, the headquarters of Heartfulness, situated at the outskirts of Hyderabad. The event will bring spiritual leaders from all faiths and beliefs to one place at the world’s largest meditation centre. At a press conference held today, Chief Guests, the Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of North-Eastern Region of India Shri Kishan Reddy ji, Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swami ji – Sri Vaishnavism, Shri Bodhamayananda – Director of Vivekananda Institute of Human Excellence and Rev. Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness & President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission announced the upcoming Global Spirituality Mahotsav and its significance. The Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, and the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Mr. Jagdeep Dhankhar, will grace the summit on 15 and 16 March respectively. The four-day spirituality summit being brought by the Ministry of Culture (Govt. of India) and Heartfulness has the theme of “Inner Peace to World Peace”. The conference aims to bring interfaith dialogues and help people of every age and every walk of life connect with spirituality in daily life. 

Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of North-Eastern Region of India Shri Kishan Reddy ji said, “India showcases culture, spirituality and a way of life which is inspiring the world. We are standing as an example to the world with our spiritual knowledge and have become the Spiritual Capital of the world. Our country is the birthplace of many religions with us spreading peace and light in life. The philosophical approach of ours is very unique. The entire world is looking towards India for physical and mental well-being through Yoga and meditation. Crores of people worldwide are coming to India to learn Puranas, Upanishads, and Vedas, and understand our culture and lifestyle, and look up to the great men and women of this country for inspiration and blessings. Spiritual tourism has been rising in India.  In the Global Spirituality Mahotsav which will be held at the largest meditation centre of the world under the keen guidance of Rev. Daaji, the Spiritual gurus are coming to one platform towards world peace – it is the goal of the MoC with the help of the spiritual gurus today to bring the essence of all religions together for world peace. Therefore the Govt. of India and Modi Ji have decided to support this conference. In the next few years (until 2047 for the centenary of India’s independence) we need to bring love, peace and solidarity among all in the world including all the religious heads. In the G20 summit, we had decided upon the ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. The upcoming conference is also in the continuation of that theme – of solidarity among all classes, castes, and religions and bring them spiritually together across every country and reach to every individual from Kanha Shanti Vanam.”

Over 100,000 participants are expected to participate. The summit is slated to host various panel discussions, cultural programs associated with spirituality, an exhibition showcasing India’s spiritual history, narratives of peace, and an immersive experience for spirituality through books and music. There will also be panchakarma centres set up for those who want to avail wellness and therapeutic sessions. The role of eminent people from film, music, and sports in sensitizing people to partake in the Global Spirituality Mahotsav is also being sought, and elaborate arrangements for the participants are also being discussed.

Some of the organizations coming together for the Global Spirituality Mahotsav are the Ramakrishna Mission, Parmarth Niketan, The Art of Living Foundation, The Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Archbishop of Hyderabad, Rev Cardinal Anthony Poola, Chinna Jiyar Swami, The Brahma Kumaris, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Maharishi Foundation (Transcendental Meditation), Isha Foundation, International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, Archdiocese of Hyderabad, Rashtra Sant Tukdoji Maharaj Akhil Bhartiya Shri Gurudeo Seva Mandal, Sant Dnyaneshwar Devasthan, Alandi, All India Imam Organization, Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur and the Shri Ram Chandra Mission/ Heartfulness.

Chinna Jeeyar Swami ji – Guru of Sri Vaishnavism said, “Our MoC and especially Sriman Krishna Reddy Garu who took the initiative organising this event is great at a moment to arrange all the religious and spiritual leaders and at a massive scale Kanha Shanti Vanam. The purpose of every religion is to unite people, but each religion has some point that is unique for their own selves and which is common for all – just like good food, water and the air are common for all. So is peace for the soul and is common for all which need to be picked up and be practiced. As we have five fingers – each finger is unique but all should work together. The four days at Kanha will help discuss and share with each other and make a plan of action to work together. Our Bharat should become a strong foundation for the centenary celebrations for the independence of Bharat.”

Swami Bodhmayananda ji – Shri Ramakrishna Math said, “Religion is a very misleading term therefore there is misunderstanding among people. We must work together on the path of truth.  Condensation of milk alone can help make a tasty ‘kheer’ – it only boils down to condensing it well. This is precisely what spirituality is all about – manifesting the divinity within you as Vivekananda said. Inner Peace to World Peace is the current theme. After Vivekananda’s talk at the International Parliament of Religions, this is the first time, it is the biggest such event. The MoC is making a giant step forward. The unifying force is coming into effect from March 14. It is God’s will and the efforts of man that nothing is impossible and can help us achieve peace. India should be a shining star and the leading example of world spirituality.”

Rev. Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission said, “The whole idea began with Swami Vivekananda. He was my inspiration. All religions lead to one core. The time is ripe when we need to come together. How long shall we keep on dreaming/fighting on simple ideological differences and how do we bring about individual peace and harmony in the society? Terrorists are very well united. They share their knowledge of destructive powers. Spiritual and religious people are like oil and water which has to be discussed and very grateful to the MoC who are here to bring together the various paths. Let us change one person at a time, one heart at a time and make this unification a possibility. We must have respect with mutual trust and admiration.  Spirituality is to bring people together. Our children and grandchildren should not witness the war that we are facing today. The ancient Yoga system is prescribed as vaccination for the whole problem. Among the 17 SDGs by the United Nations, you can fulfil them by solving the root problem – the mind through meditation and dhyana. Meditation gives you a focused and contemplative mind and true happiness. Our goal is to nurture the idea of coming together. Each of the spiritual heads here today represents a flower of the garland, we need to create that garland of flowers and dedicate it to God.”