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SPIRITUALITY

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The Art of Living and the Ashram on Kanakapura Road

A spiritual teacher who founded the Art of Living in 1981, taught a breathing technique to millions around the world, and built the organisation's international centre on the edge of Bengaluru.

QUICK ANSWER

  • Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a spiritual teacher who founded the Art of Living in 1981.
  • The Art of Living International Centre is on Kanakapura Road, on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
  • He teaches the Sudarshan Kriya breathing practice and received the Padma Vibhushan in 2016.
Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7 Tariq Sallam October 2, 2026 • 2 min read
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A white lotus-shaped meditation hall on a green hillside at sunrise, with palm trees, pavilions and flowering gardens reflected in a still lake

The Art of Living International Centre is on Kanakapura Road.

“Breathe, and the mind follows.”

• The idea behind Sudarshan Kriya

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a spiritual teacher and the founder of the Art of Living, an organisation established in 1981 that teaches breathing, meditation and yoga programmes worldwide. Born in 1956 in Tamil Nadu, he built the Art of Living International Centre on Kanakapura Road, on the outskirts of Bengaluru. He received the Padma Vibhushan in 2016.

The ashram draws visitors from around the world to the edge of the city. This profile keeps to the well-documented record.

Quick Information

A spiritual teacher whose breathing technique travelled the world from an ashram on Bengaluru's southern edge.

Born
May 13, 1956, Tamil Nadu
Organisation
Art of Living, founded 1981
Centre
International Centre, Kanakapura Road, Bengaluru
Technique
Sudarshan Kriya, a breathing practice
Honours
Padma Vibhushan (2016)
One memorable fact
The Art of Living runs programmes in a very large number of countries

What Is the Art of Living?

An international organisation founded in 1981 that runs courses in breathing, meditation and yoga, along with humanitarian and service projects.

Where Is the Art of Living Ashram?

The International Centre is on Kanakapura Road, south west of Bengaluru, with a large campus that hosts courses and events.

A LESSER-KNOWN FACT

The Kanakapura Road campus includes the distinctive Vishalakshi Mantap meditation hall.

Why Does Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Belong in People of Bangalore?

THEIR BANGALORE CONNECTION

He built his organisation's international centre on Bengaluru's edge, making the city a global destination for spiritual visitors.

HOW I PUT THIS TOGETHER

I haven't interviewed Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for this piece. It's pieced together from online research: published interviews, news reports, books and official records, cross-checked against each other. If you know Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and spot something I've got wrong, tap the WhatsApp icon at the bottom right and tell me, and I'll fix it.

FAQs

What is the Art of Living?

An organisation founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in 1981 teaching breathing, meditation and yoga.

Where is the Art of Living ashram?

On Kanakapura Road, near Bengaluru.

What is Sudarshan Kriya?

A breathing technique taught by the Art of Living.

Contact Details

Where to find out more.

Art of Living International Centre

Visited the Ashram?

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Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7

Tariq Sallam

FOUNDER, THE CITY 24/7

placeBangalore calendar_monthSince 1991 groupsPeople. Places. Possibilities.

Tariq Sallam is the founder of The City 24/7, a platform dedicated to celebrating everything Bangalore. Having lived in the city since 1991, he has witnessed its remarkable journey from a laid-back Garden City to one of India’s most dynamic and innovative cities.

Passionate about its people, businesses, neighbourhoods, food, culture and hidden gems, Tariq believes every corner of Bangalore has a story worth telling. When he’s not writing or interviewing inspiring Bangaloreans, you’ll find him exploring the city. And through The City 24/7, he invites you to discover Bangalore with him, one story at a time.

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