Bangalore: The "garden city" is geared to host the silver jubilee celebrations of the Art of Living Foundation. A large gathering of people (expected in the range of 20 lakhs) from across the world is expected for the celebrations from February 17 to 19 at Jakkur aerodrome.

Ordinary people will rub shoulders with artists, intellectuals and heads of State from abroad. Russians, Americans, Canadians, Mauritians, Africans, Indians, Pakistanis, and Chinese will meditate side by side for world peace and will be the largest mass meditation in the region.

"The ancient Indian dream of Vasudeva Kutumbakam will be realised with people from more than 100 countries coming together," says Swami Pragyapad, a long time devotee of Ravishankar Guruji. The celebrations will begin on February 17 with chanting Vedas in the presence of several leaders of all spiritual traditions.

While Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat is scheduled to be at the inaugural ceremony, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will address the valedictory. Ten heads of State, including President of Mongolia Enkhbayar Nambaryn, President of Fiji Islands Ratu Josefa Iloilvatu Uluivuda, President of Mauritius Aneerud Jugnauth, Vice-President of Panama Riben Arosemena Valdez, Vice-President of South Africa Phuzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Vice-President of Taiwan Lu Hsui-Lien, Vice-President of Croatia Vesna Pusi, Vice-President of Zimbabwe Joyce Mujuru and U.S. Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. will join the celebrations.

"Vasudeva Kutumbakam" is the message of harmony of a grand symphony of 3,800 musicians. Artists from different schools of Indian music will play 650 mrudangams, 770 veenas, 750 flutes, 782 violins, 92 saxophones, 138 nadaswarams, 150 guitars, 138 thavils and several other instruments. Among the musicians will be M. Balamuralikrishna, Lalgudi Jayaraman and T.V. Gopalakrishna.

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