Photo: Musicians gathered on stage for a rousing finale of the concert.
It was ten years ago, Saturday, June 7, 2014, to be precise that the “Global Garland Interfaith Kirtan for World Peace Celebrating the Centennial Birth Year of Sri Swami Satchidananda” was held at the magnificent Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Chants from a variety of faiths rang out in the Cathedral in the largest kirtan concert ever held in the USA.
More than 2,000 celebrants were treated to sacred sounds from Grand Gongmaster Don Conreaux, Krishna Das, Mandala, Soul Kirtan, Kirtan Rabbi, and GuruGanesha Singh. Sam Rudra Swartz served as the evening’s emcee. Powerful voices and an ecstatic audience made for a memorable evening honoring the Yoga master whose dedication to interfaith understanding is even more significant today.
The historic gathering was the first such event at St. John the Divine on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the world’s largest Gothic Cathedral. The Cathedral generously donated its space and its staff. Other sponsors included The Temple of Understanding, Gratefulness.org., and the LOTUS Center for All Faiths.
The Interfaith Kirtan for World Peace was produced by Integral Yoga Institute New York, its general manager Chandra/Jo Sgammato, and event producer Rebecca McKenzie, and promoted to the public by then-new ticket platform BrightStar Live Events.
Enjoy this video overview of the concert and let’s continue to be instruments toward manifesting universal love and world peace.
