Kanha Shanti Vanam: The World’s Largest Meditation Center Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM) is a non-profit spiritual organization founded in 1945 by Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The mission promotes the practice of “Sahaj Marg” or “Heartfulness Meditation,” a simple and effective method for inner transformation. Its current headquarters, Kanha Shanti Vanam, is located in Kanha village, Ranga Reddy District, near Hyderabad, Telangana.
Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM) is a spiritual organization that teaches a heart-centered meditation system called Sahaj Marg, also known as Heartfulness Meditation. It was officially registered in 1945 in India by Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur, widely referred to as “Babuji.” The name “Ram Chandra” was adopted in honor of his teacher, Ram Chandra of Fatehgarh, known as “Lalaji.”
Babuji served as the organization’s first president and spiritual Master, later succeeded by Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari. After his passing on December 20, 2014, Kamlesh D. Patel became the president of SRCM and the fourth spiritual Master of the Sahaj Marg system. The mission expanded globally, with SRCM USA registered in California in 1997.
Global Reach, Environmental Initiatives, and Spiritual Hub
SRCM claims to have introduced Sahaj Marg meditation to millions of practitioners across 160 countries. Its publications, managed by the Spiritual Hierarchy Publication Trust (SHPT) since April 8, 2009, have been translated into over 20 languages. SHPT operates under a license from SRCM and the Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation (SMSF), with its headquarters based in Kolkata, India.
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Recognized as an NGO by the United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI), SRCM holds non-profit status in Denmark, the United States, and India.
Kanha Shanti Vanam is a spiritual center and integrated township located 25 kilometers from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Kanha Village, Ranga Reddy District, Hyderabad. Spanning 1,200 acres, it serves as a hub for spiritual training and mentorship programs. The center also emphasizes environmental sustainability through initiatives such as water conservation and the preservation of endangered plant species.
Key Activities and Features
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World’s Largest Meditation Hall:
- In February 2020, Ram Nath Kovind, then President of India, visited Kanha Shanti Vanam, the global headquarters of Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM). During his visit, he unveiled the meditation hall, which SRCM claims is the largest of its kind in the world.
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Facilities for Learning and Sports:
- The center includes a learning facility for children aged 3 to 18, as well as a cricket stadium, providing both educational and recreational opportunities.
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Annual Essay Writing Competition:
- In collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan, SRCM organizes the “All India Essay Writing Event.” This annual competition invites participation from school and college students across India, with awards presented at both state and national levels.
- In 2014, 185,751 students from 11,857 schools and colleges participated.
- By 2017, the event saw essays written in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu.
Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM) at Kanha Shanti Vanam has received recognition for its significant contributions to environmental conservation and sustainability efforts.
Awards and Recognition
- Haritha Mitra (Green Friend) Award (2016):
The Telangana government honored Kanha Shanti Vanam with the “Haritha Mitra” Award for its outstanding contribution to the state’s greening movement. The award was presented by Telangana’s Deputy Chief Minister Mahmood Ali. - Green Kanha Initiative:
In December 2017, Ram Nath Kovind, the then President of India, along with E.S.L. Narasimhan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, visited Kanha Shanti Vanam. During their visit, they planted the 100,000th tree under the “Green Kanha” initiative alongside Kamlesh Patel, the spiritual leader of SRCM.
Environmental Initiatives
- Tree Conservation Center:
A Tree Conservation Center was inaugurated by Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. Over the years, the center has facilitated the planting of 50,000 trees. It houses a modern tissue culture laboratory to support the propagation of critically endangered plant and tree species. The lab complements traditional propagation techniques such as seed planting, cuttings, and layering. - Rainforest Development:
Kanha Shanti Vanam has transformed five to six acres of arid land in Nandigama Mandal into a thriving rainforest. This initiative has significantly increased the green cover in the area, providing a habitat for vulnerable and endangered species over the past few years.
- Water Conservation:
To address water scarcity, Kanha Shanti Vanam constructed twelve water harvesting ponds to recharge the surrounding groundwater. This effort contributed to the region experiencing its first substantial rainfall in 2017 after more than a century of drought-like conditions. The enhanced green cover is believed to have positively influenced the local climate.
Facilities at Kanha Shanti Vanam
1. Meditation Hall:
Kanha Shanti Vanam claims to feature the largest meditation hall in the world, which can accommodate 100,000 people simultaneously for meditation practices.
2. Medical Center:
The Kanha Medical Center provides essential medical services to local communities and visitors. Shri Thaneeru Harish Rao, Telangana’s Minister of Finance, Health, Medical Care, and Family Welfare, officially inaugurated it.
3. Ecological Center:
Kanha Shanti Vanam serves as a hub for ecological conservation, promoting sustainable practices such as afforestation and water conservation. The ecosystem is designed to be entirely self-sustainable. Former President Ram Nath Kovind achieved a notable milestone by planting the half-millionth tree, Diospyros candolleana (Panicled Ebony), a species listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
4. Heartyculture Nursery:
The Heartyculture Nursery at Kanha Shanti Vanam supports its ecological initiatives, focusing on nurturing native and endangered plant species.
5. Heartfulness Learning Center:
The Heartfulness Learning Center offers education for children from Pre-KG to Grade 8. The center emphasizes holistic development through a blend of academic and spiritual learning. Mr. Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister for Commerce and Civil Aviation, alongside Mrs. Uma Prabhu, inaugurated it.
Events at Kanha Shanti Vanam (2022)
1. Rising for Kindness (12–14 August 2022):
The “Rising for Kindness” seminar aimed to inspire acts of kindness toward oneself, others, and the environment. Organized by the Heartfulness Institute, the program also sought to foster an understanding of Indian culture and heritage among youth. Additionally, it provided a platform for young leaders to connect on sustainable development initiatives while introducing them to Heartfulness practices like yoga, meditation, and interfaith dialogue.
2. International Health and Wellness Conference (16–18 December 2022):
Kanha Shanti Vanam hosted its first-ever International Conference on Integrative Health and Wellbeing (IHW). The event explored holistic health approaches by blending traditional methods with integrative techniques supported by research. Supported by several renowned national and international institutions. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health, Family Welfare, and Chemicals and Fertilizers, delivered the keynote address at the conference. Alongside Shri Kamlesh Patel, the Global Guide of Heartfulness Meditation.
