A Sea of Devotion Witnessed At The Art of Living International Center for Navratri, with Sacred Homas, Joyous Crowds and Seamless Crowd Management

 A Sea of Devotion Witnessed At The Art of Living International Center for Navratri, with Sacred Homas, Joyous Crowds and Seamless Crowd Management

Shat Chandi Homa marks the pinnacle of sacred Vedic rituals; 176 sacred relics of the original Somnath Lingam placed for darshan for the first time

Bengaluru, October 2026: The air resonated with ancient Vedic chants, the fragrance of sacred herbs and offerings filled the atmosphere, and hundreds of thousands of devotees gathered in an outpouring of devotion at The Art of Living International Center in the auspicious presence of the global spiritual master Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Extending beyond the city, Navratri has also been celebrated at 171 Art of Living centres across the globe.

The festivities reached their spiritual pinnacle with the Shat Chandi Homa, one of the most significant rituals of the ten-day celebrations. Over the nine days, the Ashram also prepared and served 7 lakh meals for visitors. 

About the spiritual significance of the festival Gurudev explains, “The source of the universe is as diverse as its manifestation. Navratri is a celebration of this diversity in all its glory, a celebration of our source and our goal. The energy from pujas creates benevolence, brings you closer to self-realization, and also brings success in the world.”

A special highlight of this year's celebrations has been the opportunity for devotees to have darshan of 176 sacred relics of the original Somnath Lingam, believed to have been destroyed around a thousand years ago amid systematic attacks by Mahmud of Ghazni. The relics have drawn devotees seeking to connect with an important chapter of India's spiritual and cultural heritage.

The celebrations drew participants from over 67 countries, travelling to the Bengaluru Ashram to experience Navratri in Gurudev's presence, deepen their spiritual practice and participate in seva. Thousands have participated in the Navratri special silence programmes organised by The Art of Living, which offer an opportunity to turn inward and experience greater depth in meditation amid the devotional fervour of the celebrations.

For Celina, who travelled from Argentina with a large group, her first Navratri at the Ashram has been a deeply renewing experience. “I have had a wonderful experience meditating deeply, dancing from my soul and concluding this journey feeling happy, renewed, and filled with positive energy,” she said.

“I return with the intention of sharing this peace with the world,” shared Mariano, also from Argentina. Sharing a similar sentiment, a volunteer from Bengaluru said “I am doing the seva in the Ashram for the first time. We are all living but not alive; in the Ashram I feel I have learnt what it is to be fully alive.”

About the impeccable arrangements, Celina remarked, “Despite lakhs of devotees gathering for the celebrations, the organisation has been flawless. The movement of people has been remarkably smooth, allowing everyone to participate in the rituals and experience the celebrations in a peaceful and orderly manner.”

The Rishi Homa, which concluded today, is a sacred Vedic ritual offered in reverence to the ancient seers, or rishis, who preserved and transmitted the wisdom of the Vedas. Through the homa, one expresses gratitude to the lineage of Masters and invokes blessings for the well-being of all, reaffirming the continuity of India's living Vedic tradition.