Updates about preparations underway for Global Spiritualit Mahotsav - 2024

2024.16 - Monday, 11 March 2024

Dear sisters and brothers,

We are drawing near to this grand spiritual event of the century, Global Spirituality Mahotsav 2024, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India that is being convened at Kanha Shanti Vanam, World Headquarters of Heartfulness.

We would like to share a few updates about confirmation from the visiting dignitaries, the proposed schedule, the agenda, preparations that are underway at Kanha Shanti Vanam, and more.

We have received confirmation from many spiritual organisations, esteemed faith leaders, yoga schools, musicians, artists, celebrities and more.

As you all know, we are greatly honoured by the visit of the Honourable President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu on the 15th of March, for the inaugural address and the Honourable Vice President at the Valedictory Ceremony on the 16th of March.

Among the many esteemed dignitaries, some of the confirmed spiritual leaders who would honour us with their presence are Shri Abhijit Halder, IBC, BK Mrutyunjaya Brahmakumaris, Rev. Chinna Jeeyar, Archbishop of Hyderabad, Rev. Cardinal Anthony Poola, Dr Imam Umer, Ahmed Ilyasi - AIIO, Harjinder Singh Dhami - SGPC, Sadhguru, Isha Foundation, Sadhvi Bhagawati Parmarth Niketan, Sister BK Shivani, Swami Athmapriyananda, RKM, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Art of Living (or representative), Gauranga Das, ISKON, Gaur Gopal Das, Swami Chidanand, Parmarth Niketan, Dr Acharya Lokesh Muni, Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, Pir Zia Inayat Khan, Dr Tony Nader, Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hazrath Ajmer Sharif (Haji Syed Salman Chishty), of the Chishty Foundation, Pujya Bhaishree Ramesh bhai Oza of Sandipani Vidyaniketan, Sh. Dastur Khurshed Kaikobad Dastoor of Iranshah Atash Behram and more.

Among the many influencers and inspirers, Shri Amish Tripathi, Shri Kabir Bedi, Shri Shekhar Kapur, Shri Pulela Gopichand and more are expected to visit us.

Every faith, every spiritual Sanstha, all religions, and most of the yoga schools, and local and national leaders of our nation, have accepted our invitation to be part of this grand event. That in itself is an indication of the great significance this bears for the future of humanity.

On all days, early in the morning, we have yoga sessions by Swami Ram Dev Baba Ji. We also have a wide array of cultural and musical events on all days. Esteemed musicians and artists like Shankar Mahadevan, Kumaresh Rajagopalan and Shashank Subramanyam would grace us with their performances. Different styles of Indian spiritual music like Bhajans, Kirtans, shabat, dhrupad, kritis, kirtans etc would also be performed by an entourage of musical ensembles. A rhythm-based presentation by Bikram Ghosh and the team is also planned. Choreographed presentations anchored in the world of spirituality including temple dances - Bharatanatyam, Odissi, and Kathak would also inspire us.

The planned sessions have themes on spirituality. They are connecting with the self, connecting with others, and connecting with the universe. The Wisdom Sessions, are panel discussions between various eminent spiritual dignitaries who will share their views and expertise on ways we can share spiritual values at different cohorts like: Spirituality at work, Spirituality for Youth, Nature and Spirituality, Spirituality for Physical and Mental Health, and Deepening an Understanding on Spirituality. These sessions are power-packed in wisdom, knowledge, and action points, and there is going to be a great opportunity to interact closely with these eminent people. There will be a lot of possibilities to ask questions and benefit from them.

We also have many plenary sessions related to the following topics: Inner Peace to World Peace, Spirituality in Daily Life, Confluence: Interfaith Dialogues, Being and Becoming –Transformation & Spirituality, Spirituality in 2047, Youth and Spirituality in the Digital Age and more.

At your beloved Kanha, preparations are ongoing in full swing. There are so many teams working together to set up the infrastructure, work on meal planning, accommodation, registration, IT, inviting dignitaries, prepare the program plan, work together with the Ministry on intricate details, and more. The amount of heart, soul and action that is going into all these is really momentous and we are witnessing history in the making.

At this juncture, we wish that all of you encourage, and inspire all your loved ones from your family to friends, from your colleagues to neighbours, and just about everyone you know to benefit from this unique spiritual opportunity of the millennium. It is a very special time in the spiritual history of humanity.

We also encourage every centre, every zone, all functionaries and just about every sincere abhyasi to make a real effort to contribute in every way you can. Please make announcements in your centres after satsang. Please organise meetings and explain the importance of this greatest event in the spiritual history of humankind to all abhyasis. There is a great labour of love that has gone into making posters, banners, and flyers - please print them out and share them in your centres and ashrams, and in other important places in the city where we encourage people to participate and show interest. It is available here

Buses from various points in Hyderabad are also planned and watch out for those details from the transport team at Kanha.

As soon as you arrive in Kanha, please visit the check-in venue which is located near the South Dining Hall. You will get your registration bands and accommodation details there. Please maintain a speed limit of 20 kmph and respect the one-way routes too while driving. At Kanha, we live a simple, sustainable, and modest life. We request everyone to wear modest and dignified clothing. Please bring sufficient clothing for the duration of your stay and avoid washing clothes to conserve water. Consider bringing an umbrella or hat and a reusable water bottle, as the summer season will have begun. If you are on any specific medication, please bring an adequate supply with you.

This Mahotsav is an all-hands-deck conference for Heartfulness, and we hope that all of us give our heart and soul to it. Help shape the spiritual legacy of humanity by joining this grand unification. Let us be part of this unique divine convergence of spiritual paths and legacies.

Heartful regards,
Team - Global Spirituality Mahotsav
gsm@heartfulness.org