‘Sadhguru’s Ashram Is Blessed by Mahadeva,’ Says Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Hailing Isha Mahashivratri Celebrations

“The divinity I am experiencing here makes it clear, even without anyone telling me that this place is blessed by Mahadeva, the Lord of Lords”, said Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at the Mahashivratri celebrations at Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore this evening.

The Defence Minister was Isha’s guest of honour for its annual nightlong cultural extravaganza, which began at 6 pm today and will continue till 6 am tomorrow. Rajnath Singh was among a host of political and other dignitaries, including sports persons, industry leaders, actors, singers and performers. Mahashivaratri is Isha’s grandest annual festival held in the presence of Adiyogi every year. Sadhguru leads the proceedings through the night.

“When humanity is going through stress, anxiety, and inner restlessness, the relevance of Lord Shiva becomes even deeper. Shiva is a living possibility, a possibility that shows us how to maintain balance even amidst chaos. He symbolises complete inner peace and at the same time action and transformation,” the Defence Minister said in his address. He added that Sadhguru has made Mahashivratri an ‘international spiritual celebration’ by demonstrating “that spirituality is a science that makes life more effective and more balanced.”

Other distinguished dignitaries attending include Dr L Murugan, Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, and Parliamentary Affairs and Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Several distinguished dignitaries, spiritual leaders, and artists from across the nation will also attend the mega celebration.

Earlier in the evening, Sadhguru received Rajnath Singh at the Yoga Center where the Minister, along with other dignitaries, attended the Pancha Bhuta Kriya (cleansing of the five elements) conducted by Sadhguru at the Dhyanalinga, a unique and powerful energy form consecrated by Sadhguru as a doorway to liberation.

He was then accompanied to the iconic Adiyogi, the main venue for the celebrations. The Minister offered Kailash Teertham to Yogeshwara Linga and opened the night-long celebrations by lighting the Mahayoga Yagna to symbolise the spread of Yoga around the world. The festivities began with the spectacular Linga Bhairavi Utsav Murti procession and Maha Aarti.

Adiyogi Is Not Of the Past, Adiyogi Is Of The Future

Welcoming the dignitaries and the audience to the event, Sadhguru spoke about the relevance of Adiyogi and his message in contemporary times. “Adiyogi is not of the past. Adiyogi is of the future because what he gave are not belief systems, philosophies, ideologies or teachings; they’re technologies for wellbeing,” he said,  that over the next decade or two, “we want to see technologies for wellbeing become the relevant force (globally). Not looking up. Looking in. It is the only way out.”

Sadhguru also launched the Bhavya Bharat Bhushan, an initiative to acknowledge and celebrate those who “have contributed or are continuing to contribute to building a Bhavya Bharat.” The Defence Minister presented the Award to the recipients: Nambi Narayan and Kiran Kumar (Science & Technology), Alarmel Valli (classical dance), N Rajam (Music), Vikram Sampath (History & Culture), Saina Nehwal (Sport), Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, Lt Gen AVS Rathee and Vice Admiral RV Gokhale (in honour of Operation Sindoor)

Themed “Ganga”, this year’s Mahashivratri will highlight the spiritual, cultural, and ecological dimensions of the sacred river while featuring powerful meditations guided by Sadhguru, vibrant music and dance performances, and live acts by leading Indian artists.

As of the time of writing, devotees are continuing to pour into Isha Yoga Centre for the mega event. Several thousand participants from more than 70 nations have joined over 4,000 volunteers in the celebrations. Isha’s Mahashivaratri is being broadcast in 25 languages across the globe and is being live-streamed by over 200 television channels and digital platforms.