Varanasi, the ancient city of spirituality and culture, has witnessed a new addition to its heritage with the inauguration of the world’s largest meditation centre, Swarved Mahamandir, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 18, 2023. The centre, located in Umaraha area, about 12 km from the city centre, is spread over 3 lakh square feet and can accommodate up to 20,000 people at a time for meditation.
The Swarved Mahamandir is a seven-storey temple with 125 lotus domes and outstanding architecture. It has verses of the Swarveda, an ancient Vedic scripture that contains hymns and prayers for various purposes, engraved on its walls. The centre also has a library, a museum, a cafeteria and a souvenir shop.
The Prime Minister and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took a tour of the centre and praised its design and features. They said that the centre will promote peace and harmony among people of different faiths and backgrounds. They also said that the centre will boost the tourism potential of Varanasi and generate employment opportunities for the local people.
The Swarved Mahamandir is expected to become a popular destination for pilgrims, tourists and seekers of spiritual enlightenment. It will also serve as a platform for conducting various meditation courses and workshops for people from all walks of life.
