Addressing luminaries of all faiths, scholars, and seekers, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar – Hon’ble Vice President of India said: “This event is taking place at the largest meditation center in the world. It is gratifying that the Ministry of Culture is organizing this ‘mahakumbh of spirituality’. It was indicated we need a spiritual university – it is at Kanha and only needs to be legally sanctified. The theme of inner peace to world peace is contemporary to today’s environment, with escalating geopolitical tensions – inequitable development, intolerance, and violence based on religion and belief. Bharat is a global spiritual center. Kanha is the epicenter of spiritual moment. Our Bharat is defining world discourse inspired by a deep commitment to spiritualism. PM’s clarion call to seek resolutions through dialogues rather than war – emanates from deep spiritual ethos.”

Smt. Tamilisai Soundararajan – Hon’ble Governor of Telangana said, “Love is everything. Surrender everything. That is spiritualism. The whole world is looking to Bharat for solutions. Not just because of G20 but because of spirituality also. Yoga too. I thank the honorable Prime Minister for taking the art of Yoga internationally and bringing it back. India tends to import things. I thank the Ministry of Culture for organizing this program because in our Bharat we think youngsters are moving towards other cultures. This program provides sweetness of our culture to our youngsters. “

Shri G Kishan Reddy – Union Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Development of Northeastern Regions said, “The Mahotsav focuses on many levels of our conflicts. This is to highlight India’s vision of Vasudev Kutumbhakam. In 1983, Swami Vivekanand said I’m proud to plant a religion which has taught the world tolerance and acceptance. The message and role of India as a spiritual home are important in the current scenario. India is the friend of every country; India has pursued global peace. India is the birthplace of many religions; India is a land of knowledge and diversity. The Temple city of Varanasi has been inhabited for more than 3000 years, India is home to more than 50 Shaktipeethas where the divinity of women is worshipped. India has witnessed foreign invasions, we had philosophers fighting against social evils – like Shankaracharya, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Vivekananda, etc. The entire world is looking towards India for wellness and yoga. The need for spiritual unity has never been greater. Spirituality has served as a beacon of hope and aspiring to reach ideals like Satya and Dharma.”

Rev. Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness & President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission said, “Hope this celebration can become a yearly tradition throughout the globe. This morning, I left abruptly, very lovingly a monk said to me – my son will start meditation. The purpose of this event is to know each other. We have forgotten one thing – the need for meditation is to discern right from wrong. Why would a person with a sane mind think of polluting air and water – all pollution in the world are a result of mental pollution. The traditions of India – like the plucking of Tulasi leaves, we attribute Tulasi as a goddess, because of its healing properties, our ancestors designated it as a goddess. There are breathing exercises – like Pranayama are tied with religion; we enrich our minds through Google, science, etc. Our guruji has done so many things – the 7 chakras mentioned in Vedas are because the 7th is a trap where one finds enjoys Satchit Anand, having attained this, the anandam is of such an order that it’s a trap. Our Guru said 16 chakras can be experienced by enriching our souls. This is through pranishya prana – a yogi can awaken dormant energies and make it travel from human to divine. It’s an experienceable promise. All religions talk of ‘the One’ – love means surrender. Not in the form of defeat but because my ego is sublimated, and we are one with God. When you realize this as a follower of any religion, be the best practitioner of that religion. Will there be wars if you follow your dharma – no. Be receptive and open your heart – not out of ritual or temptation but love for the sake of love.”

Shri Jupally Krishna Rao – Culture Minister of Telangana added, “I congratulate Daaji for bringing leaders from multiple faiths. With multiple religions and cultures – India is the tower of light in spirituality. The ancients of India were champions, they gave us philosophies, and techniques which are true blessings for modern life. All we do is run from one pleasure to another and never be content – we have become what many scholars term as a unidimensional man – this is bolstered by the facts of increasing depressive tendencies in teenagers and adults. There is a dire need for highly knowledgeable gurus disseminating supreme knowledge and a sensitive community to fall back on like – Ram Chandra Mission. The role of Ram Chandra’s mission in taking health and yoga to the masses is invaluable. Telangana is blessed to host the headquarters of this event. Appreciate the Sustainable development initiative taken by Heartfulness – converting barren land into Kanha Shanta Vanam is the Pride of Telangana.  The rainforest initiative has increased green cover, and water conservation projects have aided water levels. Experiential learning with yoga and guru will transform our lives forever. I’m confident that Kanha will transform many lives and become a global spiritual hub.”

A panel discussion on ‘Confluence of Pathways for Inner Peace to World Peace’ saw noted panelists viz., Sh. Abhijit Halder, IBC; Cardinal Anthony Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad; Dr. Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, AIIO;  Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena (Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre Ladakh); Sadguru Shri Riteshwar (Anandam Dham Vrindavan); Address by Adarniya Atmaprit Vidhiji (Shrimad Rajchandra Mission); Sh. D S Anand, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee; Bawa Jain (World Council of Religious Leaders, New York).

A second session on ‘Being & Becoming’ witnessed valuable talks from Jt. Secy. MoC  Smt. Uma Nanduri; Raj Yogi BK Mruthyunjaya (Brahma Kumari); Swami Bodha Maya Nanda (Ram Krishna Mission Hyderabad); Acharya Swami Mitrananda Saraswati (Chinmay Mission Chennai); Jaya Kishori (Video Message) (Self); Sh Kabir Bedi (Film Personality); Maharaja Tony Nadar (Transcendental Meditation).

A fireside chat was organized between noted film personalities Shri Shekhar Kapur and Shri Kabir Bedi moderated by social media influencer Kamiya Jani.

Mr. Fred Stella, Hindu American Foundation; Peer Ziya Inayat Khan, Inayati Order; Maharaj Kumar Sahib Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Ji – Mewar of Udaipur; Sh. Madhur Bhandrarkar (Film Personality); Ven. Geshe Dorji Damdul, Tibet House Cultural Centre, New Delhi made some food for thought during a prelude to the session with the Hon’ble Vice President of India.

All panel discussions were followed by question-and-answer sessions from the audience.

There were also many experience zones brought by various Sanstha wherein people could gain wisdom and spiritual benefit. 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 were also organized.

Notable organizations have come together for the Global Spirituality Mahotsav, some of the prominent ones are 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 Gurudev Seva Mandal, Sant Dnyaneshwar Devasthan, Alandi, All India Imam Organization, Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur and the Shri Ram Chandra Mission/ Heartfulness.

Day 3 of the summit also hosted 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. Wellness experience and immersive zones were also set up as part of the summit

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Anuttama Dasa, the Global Director of Communications for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, urged world leaders to take responsibility to bring about change. He said, “I would encourage everyone to take advantage of the spirit of this world parliament to look into our hearts and our lifestyles and see how we can minimize the violence in our lives, how we can minimize the tension and the misunderstanding between communities, how we can actually make the kind of personal endeavor, personal sacrifices to benefit others and benefit the planet.“

The sessions featured 120-minute programs such as panel discussions, films, performances, workshops, art exhibits, plenaries, and community service on topics about protecting human rights, climate change, women’s rights, and other social issues.

Subala Dasa, one of the directors of ISKCON Chicago, talked about the contribution of the Parliament of World’s Religions and said that it is providing a spiritual alternative to society’s ailments. He said, “It’s an important work because of the ailments of society, not only here in the United States but the entire world, there is so much conflict.” “In this country, we have issues with equality, with social justice, with women’s rights, violence’. All these ailments can be addressed by spiritual knowledge. Our process is to provide that spiritual education and support to bring about a whole revolution in the consciousness of the people of the day.”

The Sikh community offered a special langar feast to all the attendees, and the program ended with special prayers for the refugees of war and the people of Ukraine.

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