When the Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravishankar www.srisri.org sets his mind to it, nothing is impossible.
As a child, he dreamt that people from all over the world were calling out to him and he told his companions, “I have to visit my friends in other parts of the globe. They are waiting for me!” He is now living his dream, crisscrossing the globe, meeting his ardent followers who are family to him.
As a loving head of the large Art of Living family, it was natural for him to plan a get-together of his global family diaspora in an explosion of the celebration of life – the World Culture Festival -- which is the genesis of the rallying call – Chalo Delhi!
To be held from March 11 to 13, 2016, this Art of living event is being organized to celebrate 35 years of service of the Art of Living organization in the field of spirituality and education.
This mother of all cultural festivals will be held on a 7–acre stage in Mayur Vihar, Delhi and will have an unprecedented gathering of artists, world leaders, peacemakers, spiritual heads and corporate icons.
The function, to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will have about 36,000 artists from 155 countries showcasing the art and culture of their countries. President Pranab Mukherjee will give the valedictory address which points to the importance that this function has in the higher echelons of power.
If Sri Sri Ravishankar is there, can meditation be far behind? Meditation is one of the foundation pillars of his teachings and the beloved guru will conduct mass meditation for world peace, probably the single largest gathering of meditators at one place. Can you imagine the vibrations of the place after such an event? Surely, the much needed pulsating waves of harmony will spread around this violent world and dispel all discord.
Yoga, India’s popular spiritual heritage will be showcased at the event. In fact, the early morning hours from 6 am to 8 am will be devoted to mass yoga sessions on the haloed ground which was once the riverbed of the mighty Yamuna River in the centuries gone by.
As Sri Sri Ravishankar says, “The wave uniting with its depth is Yoga” and all the waves that gather at the venue will form a mighty ocean of yogic strength which will surely sweep away all the hate that is spreading its vicious tentacles around the world in the name of religion, colour and race. And who knows, the spiritual waves may yet revive the Yamuna to its pristine glory of the past!
Apart from dances and music from around the world, a global leadership forum, keynote addresses of the high and mighty of the land and interfaith meeting will also be held to add a note of seriousness and depth to the celebration.
The music and dances from over a hundred countries will reflect the teachings of unconditional love of Sri Sri Ravishankar, who in one of his poems has said, “Be Happy, be Playful, Be at Peace. Dance to your own rhythm.” That is what the participants of the historic World Culture Festival will be doing. Chalo Delhi!
The Art of Living completes 35 years of service to humanity in 2016. To commemorate this momentous occasion, World Culture Festival is being organized in New Delhi on March 11, 12, and 13. The event is open to all and the entry is free.
Write to wcf@artofliving.org or call on +9211135555 between 9:30 am to 6:30 pm IST for any assistance.
Related Links
1. About the World Culture Festival
2. To Book Your Travel and Accommodation
3. Art of Living
4. Video on Festival 1
5. Video on Festival 2