Mandaviya joins Art of Living Deepotsav in Jetpur, Gujarat
Synopsis
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya joined Art of Living's Deepotsav in Jetpur, Gujarat, participating in a Mahalakshmi Havan and Maha Satsang in the presence of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar during the Diwali festive season.
Key Takeaways
Union Labour and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya attended Art of Living's Deepotsav in Jetpur, Rajkot district, Gujarat on November 8, 2026 .
The event featured a Mahalakshmi Havan (Vedic fire ritual) and a Maha Satsang (mass spiritual assembly).
The gathering was presided over by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar , founder of the Art of Living Foundation .
Art of Living is an international NGO operating in more than 180 countries , focused on yoga, meditation, and stress relief.
No official government sponsorship or role in the event has been confirmed; Mandaviya attended as a participant.
Amid the glow of a thousand lamps, Union Labour and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya joined the spiritual faithful at a grand Deepotsav in Jetpur, Gujarat, on Sunday, November 8, 2026 — marking the occasion with a 'Mahalakshmi Havan' and 'Maha Satsang' in the presence of revered spiritual teacher Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Gurudev).
Posting on Monday morning, Mandaviya described the event as a 'bhavya utsav' (grand celebration) of India's cultural and spiritual heritage, writing: 'A magnificent celebration of the great tradition of Indian culture and spirituality! Yesterday I participated in the 'Mahalakshmi Havan' and 'Maha Satsang' at the 'Deepotsav' organised by Art of Living, in the sacred presence of most revered Gurudev.'Art of Living's Deepotsav and what it means for Jetpur
Jetpur, a town in Rajkot district, Gujarat, is best known for its centuries-old hand-block printing and textile traditions. For one evening, it became the stage for a large-scale spiritual gathering hosted by the Art of Living Foundation, the international NGO established by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar that runs yoga, meditation, and stress-relief programmes across more than 180 countries. A 'Deepotsav' — literally a 'festival of lamps' — is a Diwali-season gathering combining devotional rituals, collective chanting, and a ceremonial havan fire.
The 'Mahalakshmi Havan' is a Vedic fire ritual invoking the goddess of prosperity, traditionally performed around the Diwali period. The 'Maha Satsang' that followed is a collective spiritual assembly — a format Art of Living has taken to stadiums and open grounds worldwide.
Ministers, Gujarat, and the culture of large-scale satsangs
Mandaviya's attendance fits a well-established pattern: senior Indian ministers, particularly those with Gujarat roots, regularly participate in Diwali-linked cultural and spiritual programmes organised by civil-society groups. Gujarat has a long tradition of mass satsangs and havans that draw both devotees and public figures. For Mandaviya, a senior BJP leader from the state, such participation carries both personal and political resonance during the festive season.
The Art of Living Foundation's Deepotsav events have, over the years, been held at significant scale across Indian cities and towns, with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar typically presiding as the central spiritual figure. No official government role or sponsorship in this specific Jetpur event has been confirmed.
As lamps are lit and the festive season peaks, the image of a Union Cabinet minister seated in collective prayer speaks to something enduring in Indian public life — the idea that governance and spiritual rootedness need not occupy separate rooms.
Point of View
Particularly during the Diwali season. For a minister with roots in Gujarat, attendance at a mass satsang reinforces both personal identity and constituency-level optics. The Art of Living Foundation occupies a unique space — it is simultaneously a grassroots spiritual movement and a globally networked NGO — making such associations carry weight beyond mere ceremony. What is worth watching is whether this signals any formal cultural or youth-affairs collaboration between the Ministry and the Foundation going forward.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Deepotsav event that Mansukh Mandaviya attended?
Deepotsav is a Diwali-season festival of lamps organised by the Art of Living Foundation, combining Vedic fire rituals (havan), devotional music, and mass spiritual assemblies (satsang). The Jetpur edition was presided over by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Where is Jetpur, Gujarat?
Jetpur is a town in Rajkot district, Gujarat, historically known for its hand-block printing and textile industries. It hosted the Art of Living Deepotsav on November 8, 2026.
Who is Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, widely known by the honorific 'Gurudev', is the founder of the Art of Living Foundation, an international NGO that promotes yoga, meditation, and stress-elimination programmes in more than 180 countries.
What is a Mahalakshmi Havan?
A Mahalakshmi Havan is a Vedic fire ritual invoking the goddess Lakshmi, the deity of prosperity and fortune. It is traditionally performed during the Diwali season as an act of collective devotion and prayer.
Does the government officially sponsor Art of Living events?
No official government sponsorship or role in this specific Jetpur Deepotsav has been confirmed. Minister Mandaviya attended as a participant alongside spiritual followers.
