Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the landmark celebrations marking 45 years of The Art of Living and the 70th birthday of its founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on May 10, 2026, at the The Art of Living International Center in Bengaluru.
The Prime Minister is expected to deliver the keynote address during the celebrations, which are being organised on a grand scale with participation from spiritual leaders, policymakers, youth delegates, artists, and followers from across the globe. During the event, PM Modi will also inaugurate the newly built Dhyan Mandir, a dedicated meditation hall designed to promote mindfulness and spiritual well-being.
The celebrations will additionally witness the launch of several nationwide service initiatives focused on mental wellness, rural development, environmental conservation, and social transformation. Organisers said these projects are aimed at expanding community-driven welfare programmes across India over the coming year.
A major highlight of the celebrations will be the Global Meditation for World Peace scheduled for May 13, led by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and live-streamed worldwide. The event is expected to draw participation from millions of people across multiple countries.
Founded in 1981 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, The Art of Living has evolved into one of the world’s largest volunteer-driven humanitarian organisations, operating in 182 countries. The organisation is widely known for promoting breathing techniques such as Sudarshan Kriya and for its large-scale initiatives in stress relief, education, disaster response, sustainable development, and conflict resolution.
The month-long celebrations will feature a wide range of national and international events, including global leadership dialogues and summits focusing on ethics in governance, business, media, education, arts, and civil society. Cultural festivals showcasing music, dance, and artistic traditions from different countries will also be organised as part of the programme.
In addition, recognition ceremonies will honour unsung heroes from more than 450 districts across India for their contributions to society. Several policy roundtables are also planned to discuss sustainable and humane approaches to governance, institutions, and public systems.
A special policy roundtable on prisoner welfare and prison reforms will be held on May 25 and 26, highlighting rehabilitation models and the impact of Art of Living programmes conducted for prison inmates.
The organisation has also hosted the BIMSTEC Youth Leadership Exchange in partnership with India’s Ministry of External Affairs, bringing together youth leaders from all seven BIMSTEC nations for leadership and cultural immersion programmes at the Bengaluru campus.
