CM Mohan Yadav visits Art of Living Ashram in Bengaluru
Synopsis
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav visited the Art of Living Ashram in Bengaluru on May 24, 2026, touring an exhibition on Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's life, spiritual message, and social welfare contributions.
Key Takeaways
Mohan Yadav visited the Art of Living Ashram (Sri Sri Gurukul) in Bengaluru on May 24, 2026 .
He toured an exhibition focused on the life, philosophy, and works of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar .
The Chief Minister praised Gurudev's spiritual message, commitment to human welfare, and efforts for positive social change.
The Art of Living Foundation , established in 1981 , is headquartered at the Bengaluru ashram and runs programmes in yoga, education, and community welfare.
The visit reflects a broader pattern of BJP -led state governments engaging with prominent spiritual organisations.
No specific policy announcements were made during the visit.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav of Madhya Pradesh visited the Art of Living Ashram (Sri Sri Gurukul) in Bengaluru on Sunday, May 24, 2026, where he toured an exhibition dedicated to the life, philosophy, and works of spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
What Happened
The Chief Minister's Office of Madhya Pradesh announced that Dr. Yadav observed the exhibition at the ashram, which is housed within the sprawling Art of Living International Center in Bengaluru. The post noted that he appreciated Gurudev ji ke adhyatmik sandesh (Gurudev's spiritual message), his dedication to human welfare, and the work done to bring about positive change in society.
The visit included a walkthrough of displays chronicling the foundation's decades of work in education, stress relief, and community welfare programs across India and internationally.
Context
The Art of Living Foundation, established in 1981 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is an international nonprofit headquartered at its Bengaluru ashram. It is widely recognised for promoting Sudarshan Kriya yoga and running large-scale programmes in mental wellness, rural development, and education.
The Sri Sri Gurukul within the ashram campus serves as a centre for value-based education and spiritual learning, drawing visitors from across India and abroad. The exhibition that Dr. Yadav visited was centred on the founder's life, teachings, and social contributions.
Policy Backdrop
Chief ministers from across India have periodically engaged with prominent spiritual organisations to acknowledge their contributions to social welfare and cultural preservation. BJP-led state governments have notably maintained active outreach with Hindu spiritual institutions on themes of human development and positive social change.
At the national level, the Government of India has institutionalised International Yoga Day on June 21 since 2015, encouraging state administrations to participate in wellness and spiritual initiatives — a policy environment that has deepened state-level engagement with organisations like the Art of Living Foundation.
Stakeholders and Impact
The visit is of direct relevance to yoga practitioners, followers of the Art of Living movement, and citizens of Madhya Pradesh who participate in the foundation's stress-relief and education programmes. The foundation's nationwide reach means any future collaboration with the state government could affect a significant number of beneficiaries.
The Art of Living Foundation already runs community programmes that intersect with state priorities in education and mental wellness — areas where Madhya Pradesh has expressed policy interest in recent years.
What's Next
While no specific policy announcements accompanied the visit, such high-profile engagements between state leadership and established spiritual organisations often precede formal collaboration agreements. Observers will watch for any announcements linking Madhya Pradesh government departments with the Art of Living Foundation's wellness or education initiatives in upcoming state budgets or cultural events.
Point of View
Such outreach also serves to build a personal brand centred on spirituality and social harmony. The visit comes ahead of International Yoga Day on June 21, making the timing politically and symbolically convenient. Whether it translates into concrete state-level partnerships with the Art of Living Foundation will be the more substantive test of intent.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did CM Mohan Yadav visit the Art of Living Ashram in Bengaluru?
CM Dr. Mohan Yadav visited the Art of Living Ashram in Bengaluru to view an exhibition on the life, philosophy, and social contributions of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and to appreciate the foundation's work in human welfare and positive social change.
What is the Art of Living Ashram in Bengaluru?
The Art of Living International Center in Bengaluru is the global headquarters of the Art of Living Foundation, established in 1981 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. It houses the Sri Sri Gurukul and serves as a hub for yoga, spiritual learning, and community welfare programmes.
Who is Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a spiritual leader and the founder of the Art of Living Foundation. He is internationally known for popularising Sudarshan Kriya yoga and for initiatives in stress management, education, and social harmony since the 1980s.
Did CM Mohan Yadav announce any collaboration with Art of Living during the visit?
No specific policy or collaboration announcements were made during the visit. The Chief Minister's Office post focused on his appreciation for the exhibition and Gurudev's spiritual and social contributions.
What is CM Mohan Yadav's connection to cultural and spiritual initiatives?
As Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh since December 2023, Dr. Mohan Yadav has engaged with cultural and spiritual organisations as part of broader state outreach. This visit to the Art of Living Ashram reflects the BJP-led government's engagement with Hindu spiritual institutions on themes of human development.
