Kejriwal, Mann visit Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at Bengaluru ashram on Art of Living's 45th year
Synopsis
Leaders across party lines — AAP's Kejriwal and Mann, JD(S)'s Deve Gowda, and earlier PM Modi — have all made pilgrimages to the Art of Living ashram in Bengaluru during its 45th anniversary year. The cross-party convergence at a single spiritual institution signals how the Foundation has become a rare common ground in an otherwise fractured political landscape.
Key Takeaways
Arvind Kejriwal , Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann , and Manish Sisodia visited the Art of Living ashram in Bengaluru on 30 August .
The visit marked the organisation's 45th anniversary ; Sri Sri Ravi Shankar confirmed it in a post on X.
The delegation expressed appreciation for Art of Living's farmer support and deaddiction initiatives.
Deve Gowda had visited the same centre on 26 August for the anniversary.
PM Narendra Modi participated in the 45th anniversary celebrations in May , inaugurating the Dhyan Mandir .
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited the Art of Living ashram in Bengaluru on Saturday, 30 August, to extend greetings to founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on the organisation's 45th anniversary. The visit was confirmed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar himself in a post on X, where he also noted that former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia accompanied the delegation.
What Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Said
In his post on X, the spiritual leader wrote: 'The Honorable Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Bhagwant Mann, Shri Arvind Kejriwal and Shri Manish Sisodia visited the Bengaluru Ashram to convey their greetings on Art of Living's 45th year.' He added that the visitors 'also expressed their appreciation for its initiatives supporting farmers and deaddiction.' A video shared alongside the post showed Sri Sri Ravi Shankar felicitating Kejriwal and Mann upon their arrival at the ashram.
A Series of High-Profile Visits
The AAP delegation's visit is part of a broader wave of political outreach to the Art of Living International Centre during its golden jubilee year celebrations. Just days earlier, on 26 August, former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) chief H.D. Deve Gowda visited the Bengaluru centre, where he interacted with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and conveyed his greetings amid the ongoing anniversary events.
PM Modi's Earlier Participation
In May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had participated in the 45th anniversary celebrations of The Art of Living Foundation in Bengaluru, where he inaugurated the newly-built Dhyan Mandir and launched several other initiatives in the presence of the spiritual leader. Modi addressed a large gathering at the event, speaking on spirituality, public participation in nation-building, environmental protection, and the role of youth in shaping a developed India.
On the inauguration of the Dhyan Mandir, the Prime Minister said: 'Today, the grand and divine Dhyan Mandir has been inaugurated. When intentions are clear, and work is done with a spirit of service, every effort yields positive results. Whatever else may happen or not, we are all under the umbrella of the lotus. With the blessings of Gurudev, this lotus will take the country to new heights.'
Bengaluru's Dual Identity
Modi also highlighted Bengaluru's significance as both a technology hub and a spiritual centre, noting the city's role in strengthening India's cultural identity globally. This comes amid a broader national conversation about the intersection of civic leadership and spiritual institutions, with leaders across party lines making visible appearances at the Art of Living campus during its milestone year.
The anniversary celebrations are expected to continue through the rest of the year, with the Foundation's farmer support and deaddiction programmes drawing particular attention from visiting political figures.
Point of View
From Deve Gowda to Sisodia — through the Art of Living campus in a single anniversary year is not coincidental. In an era of deepening polarisation, the Foundation has emerged as a rare neutral ground where leaders from rival camps seek association with soft power and spiritual legitimacy. What is worth watching is whether these visits translate into policy alignment on the Foundation's stated priorities — farmer welfare and deaddiction — or remain ceremonial optics ahead of electoral cycles.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann visit the Art of Living ashram in Bengaluru?
Kejriwal and Mann visited the Art of Living ashram in Bengaluru on 30 August to extend greetings to founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on the organisation's 45th anniversary. They also expressed appreciation for the Foundation's initiatives in farmer support and deaddiction.
What is the Art of Living Foundation's 45th anniversary?
The Art of Living Foundation, founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is marking 45 years of its establishment with a series of celebrations at its International Centre in Bengaluru. The milestone year has drawn visits from political leaders across party lines, including PM Modi, Arvind Kejriwal, and H.D. Deve Gowda.
Who else visited the Art of Living centre during the anniversary celebrations?
Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) chief H.D. Deve Gowda visited on 26 August, while PM Narendra Modi participated in the anniversary celebrations in May, where he inaugurated the newly-built Dhyan Mandir.
What did PM Modi say at the Art of Living 45th anniversary event?
PM Modi inaugurated the Dhyan Mandir and addressed a large gathering, speaking on spirituality, nation-building, environmental protection, and the role of youth. He said: 'When intentions are clear, and work is done with a spirit of service, every effort yields positive results.'
What initiatives of Art of Living did the AAP leaders appreciate?
According to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's post on X, Kejriwal, Mann, and Sisodia expressed appreciation for the Foundation's programmes supporting farmers and its deaddiction initiatives.
