PM Modi Inaugurates Dhyan Mandir, Urges Art of Living for Natural Farming

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bengaluru, Karnataka, on Sunday, May 10, 2026, to participate in the 45th-anniversary celebrations of The Art of Living Foundation and the 70th birthday celebrations of its founder, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. During his visit, PM Modi inaugurated the newly constructed Dhyan Mandir (meditation hall) at the Art of Living International Center on Kanakapura Road, Bengaluru. The Dhyan Mandir is envisioned as a dedicated space for inner peace and holistic well-being, with some reports describing it as lotus-shaped. Addressing a large gathering at the Vishalakshi Mantap, Prime Minister Modi congratulated the Art of Living family and praised Bengaluru for its dual contribution to global technology and India's spiritual and cultural identity. He lauded the Art of Living Foundation's extensive work in promoting spirituality, service, and social transformation globally over the past 45 years. Modi specifically acknowledged the organization's growth, comparing it to a banyan tree with branches spreading across 180 countries, impacting millions of lives through meditation and wellness programs. A significant part of the Prime Minister's address focused on environmental responsibility and sustainable agriculture. He strongly urged the Art of Living volunteers to take a leading role in promoting natural farming, water conservation, and broader environmental protection across the country. Modi highlighted the detrimental effects of excessive chemical fertilizers on soil health and Mother Earth, advocating for natural healing methods for agriculture. He stated that adopting natural farming and protecting Mother Earth from chemicals is an integral part of the Art of Living ethos and encouraged the expansion of campaigns like 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (One Tree for Mother). Prime Minister Modi also emphasized the importance of spiritual well-being, mental health, yoga, and meditation in building a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India). He asserted that a developed India would be built by youth who are mentally calm, socially responsible, and sensitive towards society. He noted that the world is increasingly looking towards ancient Indian traditions like yoga, pranayama, and meditation for answers to anxiety and conflict. The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to highlight India's recent achievements in digital payments, its rapidly growing startup ecosystem, and advancements in infrastructure and space technology, crediting the nation's youth for these strides. During his speech, PM Modi humorously remarked that Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's praise felt like a directive for more work and reiterated his promise to return for the spiritual leader's centenary celebrations. The Art of Living, through its Sri Sri Institute of Agricultural Sciences & Technology Trust (SSIAST), has already been actively involved in promoting natural farming. Their initiatives include training farmers, developing model farms, and encouraging the use of indigenous inputs and practices like Jeevamrut and Beejamrut, aiming for low-input, climate-resilient agriculture. The organization has trained lakhs of farmers across various states and converted significant land areas to climate-resilient agriculture, focusing on small and marginal farmers. Ahead of the Prime Minister's visit, Bengaluru City Police implemented elaborate traffic arrangements and security measures around the HAL Airport and the Art of Living International Center to ensure smooth movement and security. Besides the Art of Living event, Modi also participated in a felicitation program organized by BJP leaders and workers near the HAL Airport. He was also scheduled to visit Hyderabad later in the day to inaugurate or lay the foundation stone for several development projects. Overall, the event underscored the government's push for sustainable agricultural practices, intertwining it with the spiritual and social service efforts of organizations like the Art of Living, and emphasizing the role of youth and spiritual well-being in national development.

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