THE ONENESS JOURNEY

Ekatma Dham is more than just a physical place, it is a journey towards the realisation of oneness. It is an embodiment of the teachings and philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya, who believed in the unity of all beings. Ekatma Dham represents a movement that aims to bridge the gap between different religions, cultures and communities, and bring people together in the pursuit of a shared goal — the realisation of the oneness that underlies all creation. Through its various initiatives and events, Ekatma Dham is inspiring people to come together and work towards a more harmonious and inclusive world, one that is guided by the principles of unity, love and compassion.

The then Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan announces at a function in Omkareshwar the construction of a 108-feet-tall statue of Acharya Shankar, called the Statue of Oneness, and the setting of the Advaita Lok and the Acharya Shankar International Institute of Advaita Vedanta.

Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti celebrations were conducted in all 51 districts of Madhya Pradesh on Vaishakh Shukla Panchami.

The Ekatma Yatra was not just a journey of miles, but a spiritual quest to rediscover the legacy of Adi Shankaracharya, who travelled the length and breadth of India to promote unity and cultural harmony. This historic pilgrimage retraced the footsteps of the revered spiritual leader, traversing 13 states over 23 days and covering a distance of 12,000 km. The journey was filled with moments of devotion, as people from more than 23,000 villages in Madhya Pradesh came together to contribute metal for building the statue.
Led by spiritual luminaries, yatras began in four places associated with Adi Shankaracharya and converged at Omkareshwar, where the spirit of unity and brotherhood came alive. The people of Madhya Pradesh welcomed the yatras with open arms, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the state through vibrant cultural shows and spiritual programmes.
The Ekatma Yatra was not just a journey of the past but also a guiding light for the present and future generations. It inspired people to come together and celebrate the diversity that makes India unique. The flag-off by the then Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan at Veliyanad in Kerala and his visit to Kalady, the birthplace of Acharya Shankara, marked the beginning of a historic journey that will forever be etched in the annals of India's rich cultural heritage.

The completion of the Ekatma Yatra was commemorated with Ekatma Parva at Omkareshwar, marking a pivotal moment in the Oneness journey. Distinguished spiritual leaders from various parts of India actively participated in this significant event. The celebration included vibrant cultural shows. During Ekatma Parva, the then Chief Minister, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, highlighted the multifaceted role of a public servant. Beyond traditional responsibilities like building schools and hospitals, he stated, the public servant should know the importance of guiding society, drawing inspiration from the vision of saints. Chouhan envisioned Omkareshwar evolving into a hub for spiritual renaissance and cultural resurgence. His vision emphasised that Omkareshwar would convey to the world a powerful message of peace, spirituality and oneness.

The establishment of the Acharya Shankar Sanskritik Ekta Nyas marks a significant milestone in India's socio-cultural history. Following the momentous announcement on February 9, 2017, about the creation of Ekatma Dham, the then Chief Minister, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, engaged in a series of constructive meetings. These discussions involved spiritual leaders from various parts of India, as well as officials, to advance the initiative. The outcome of these deliberations was the formation of the Acharya Shankar Sanskritik Ekta Nyas, dedicated to disseminating the teachings of Adi Shankaracharya and overseeing the development of Ekatma Dham at Omkareshwar, the saint's Jnana-Bhumi.

The Advaita Utsav was an international conference on Advaita Vedanta, held at the Golden Jubilee Hall of Dr Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. The conference brought together scholars and experts from around the world to explore various themes surrounding the teachings and philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya’s Advaita Vedanta.
The conference covered topics such as the biography, philosophy and Mathamanaya tradition of Adi Shankaracharya, the role of his philosophy in socio-cultural transformation, and the pre and post-philosophical development of his teachings. The conference also examined the transmission of Adi Shankaracharya’s Advaita Vedanta in contemporary spiritual traditions, as well as its reflections on folk and tribal traditions. The interface of Adi Shankaracharya’s Advaita Vedanta with modern science and the role of the Bhakti movement in propagating his teachings of universal oneness were also explored.
The Brahmodya sessions focused on the philosophy of Universal Oneness and its potential to provide a path towards redemption from physical, emotional and spiritual crises. The conference made several recommendations, including the celebration of Acharya Shankara’s birthday annually as 'Advaita Day,' the incorporation of 'Advaita Paddhatishastra' as a methodology of inquiry in Humanities and Social Sciences curricula, and the promotion of 'Nishkama karmayoga' as a conflict-free way of living.
The conference also recommended the establishment of 'Advaita-Peethas' within and outside of India to promote the ideals of 'Atmavat- Sarvabhuteshu' and 'Vasudhaiva-Kutumbakam' as integral to a civilised society. The conference suggested that the Advaita perspective on life should be presented as an alternative paradigm for civilisation and development, recognising the true nature of humans as 'Brahman' and offering a path towards overcoming contemporary civilisational crises.

On September 21, 2023, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the then Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, unveiled the Statue of Oneness during the 'Sankaravataranam' ceremony at Omkareshwar. Accompanied by a distinguished assembly of spiritual leaders and scholars, the event featured a traditional welcome characterised by cultural displays and customary attires. Throughout the ceremony, musicians performed hymns by Adi Shankaracharya, complemented by pujas and Vedic chanting. In addition to the statue unveiling, the then Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the Advaita Lok museum.
The occasion attracted a massive audience from various parts of India, with thousands in attendance. Speaking at Brahmotsavam, a spiritual and cultural gathering held at Sidhwarkut, the then Chief Minister underscored the cultural harmony instilled by Adi Shankaracharya. He stressed upon Bharat's enduring commitment to the universal vision of all-pervading consciousness and the concept of Vasudaiva Kutumbakam. Shri Chouhan stated that only those with narrow minds would assert 'this is mine, that is yours,' while the enlightened comprehend the world as one big family.
Shri Chouhan also launched three books during the event, namely 'Ekatma Dham: A Journey of Oneness,' 'Advaita Awakening Youth Retreat: Nurturing Ambassadors of Advaita' and 'Ekatma Dham: Swapn Se Shilp Tak,' all published by Acharya Shankar Sanskritik Ekta Nyas.