Khandwa (Madhya Pradesh), April 17 (IANS) Positioning Madhya Pradesh as a global hub of spiritual learning, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Friday said the ‘Acharya Shankar Prakatotsav – Ekatma Parv’ will connect ancient Indian philosophy with contemporary global challenges.

“It is a matter of great privilege and a deeply spiritual experience for me to participate in the ‘Ekatma Parv,’ which honours Adi Guru Shankaracharya and spreads the universal message of Advaita Vedanta,” Yadav said ahead of inaugurating the five-day festival at Ekatma Dham in Omkareshwar.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the event is not just a religious gathering but a platform to reinterpret India’s philosophical heritage in the modern context.

“The message of Advaita instills the realisation that the entire creation is one unified consciousness. This spirit of ‘Ekatma’ is highly relevant in addressing today’s global concerns,” he said.

Scheduled on Vaishakh Shukla Panchami, the festival will bring together spiritual leaders, scholars, and artistes from India and abroad at Mandhata Hill, associated with Adi Shankaracharya.

A key highlight of the event will be the ‘Advaitamritam – Vimarsh Sabha’, where discussions will explore the intersection of Advaita philosophy with issues such as Artificial Intelligence, environmental conservation, Gen-Z perspectives, and global peace.

During the inaugural ceremony, Yadav will also open the ‘Advaita Lok’ and ‘Akshar Brahma’ exhibitions and participate in Vedic rituals. Spiritual leaders including Swami Sadanand Saraswati, Nivedita Bhide, and Swami Shardanand Saraswati are expected to attend.

Cultural programmes will be held each evening, featuring performances by noted artistes such as classical vocalist Jayateerth Mevundi and Odissi dancer Shubhada Varadkar.

On April 21, over 700 youths from India and abroad will take a pledge as ‘Shankaradoots’ to promote the teachings of Adi Shankaracharya.

Highlighting the significance of the venue, Yadav said Omkareshwar, home to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, reflects India’s enduring spiritual legacy. He added that the festival will strengthen cultural unity while showcasing India’s rich philosophical traditions on a global stage.

–IANS

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