Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was on a three-day visit to Jharkhand as a state guest from February 17 to 19.

He ventured into the heartland of Naxalism in Jharkhand meeting top rebels in Patamda, visited one of the largest prisons in Ranchi and met a delegation of Muslim leaders which included the Ulemas of one of the most sacred mosque, the Ekra mosque.

During their meeting in Patamda, the Naxalite leaders assured Sri Sri that they would prevail upon their leadership to come around and hold further deliberations with him.

That the Naxalites [Images] of the area were receptive to Sri Sri's endeavour for peace was apparent when they lifted their 72-hour bandh in Patamda to ensure smooth passage of his convoy and allow people of the area to attend a satsang with Sri Sri. Thanks to this gesture, more than 35,000 people from Patamda and neighbouring villages could seek solace from the visiting spiritual guru.

Addressing a gathering in Patamda -- which was built by the local people, including many Naxals � Sri Sri appealed to the Maoist rebels to shun bullets in favour of the ballot. 

Image: Sri Sri during his visit to the Naxal heartland.