India, as we see today, the continuous living civilization is surviving and nourishing with the contributions of many great seers & sages who enriched and revived the cultural and spiritual essence of Bharat. Acharya Shankar or Adi Jagadguru Shankaracharya is one such shining star in the great tradition of Sanatan Dharma. The 8th century master, whose Janmabhoomi was Kerela, Gyanabhoomi was Omkareshwar, MP and Karmabhoomi was whole undivided India, revived Sanatana Dharma, Indian Culture from distortions and conflicts.
He preached the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, wrote commentaries on Vedantic Scriptures and sanitized Hinduism by intellectual discourses & shastrarthas across India in just 32 years of his life. Shankar should be celebrated and Vedanta should be popularized among the masses in modern times. Government of Madhya Pradesh is committed to celebrate Acharya Shankar and popularise his works among the masses.
For the fulfilment of such pious objective, Acharya Shankar Sanskritik Ekta Nyas, Dept. of Culture, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh is working in the service of Acharya Shankar with some ambitious projects at Omkareshwar- jñāna-bhumi of Acharya Shankar.
Often referred to as the heart of India, the state of Madhya Pradesh is called the hub for nature-architecture-culture-business-traditions.
Primarily known for its Shiva jyotirling, the sacred island seems to resemble the holy word ‘ Om’, hence it has been named Omkareshwar- mystical land of Shiva. The vision is developing a world class and unique in its nature Religious-Spiritual-Cultural Tourism destination high lighting the historic religious-cultural significance of Omkareshwar in respect of achievement of Acharya Shankar in Omkareshwar and thereafter unprecedented contribution of him in religiously and culturally unifying the man and women and giving great philosophy of Advait Vedanta for benefit of the mankind.
The main aim is to establish a learning centre that helps us learn about our culture and roots. The main aim of the project is to carve out an architecturally engaging space that invites one onto the cultural journey. The design also introduces spaces and places to attract larger audiences to experience the nature-cultural realm. This is evident through the vision, design principles and actions.
For the project two sites were identified. The Statue of Oneness and Shankar Musuem will be set up on an area of 7.5 hectares on the Mandhata mountain. A gurukulam will be developed on the other side of Narmada river in 5 hectare area and Acharya Shankar International Advaiva Vedanta Sansthan will be developed in 10 hectare area. 18.50 hectares of land has been allotted for the project.
Principles of Nine
The number nine is often associated with a divine connotation in the spirituality and religions across the globe from ancient times. The number 9 is revered in Hinduism and considered a complete, perfected and divine number because it represents the end of a cycle in the decimal system, which originated from the Indian subcontinent as early as 3000 BC. The purpose of the institute is to study the significance of the Advaita Vedant and associate its principles with the wider range of disciplines. The Sri Chakra is used herein to symbolise and to highlight the institute as a temple of knowledge with its four doors open onto the wide range of disciplines that come together to form the ultimate superior knowledge of the Advaita Vedanta or the study of oneness.