The then Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled the Statue of Oneness during a ceremony titled ‘Sankaravataranam’ at Omkareshwar on September 21, 2023.
He was accompanied by a distinguished gathering of spiritual leaders and scholars. The dignitaries received a warm traditional welcome, marked by cultural pageantry and traditional ensembles.
During the ceremony, musicians performed hymns by Adi Shankaracharya, accompanied by pujas and Vedic chanting.
Additionally, the then Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the Advaita Lok museum.
The event drew thousands of attendees from various parts of India. Later, while addressing the Brahmotsavam, a spiritual and cultural gathering held at Sidhwarkut, the then Chief Minister emphasised the cultural unity brought about by Adi Shankaracharya. He stated, "Bharat has always embraced the eternal vision of an all-pervading consciousness and has gifted the world with the concept of Vasudaiva Kutumbakam. Only those with narrow minds would claim 'this is mine, that is yours.' The enlightened and wise understand that the world is one big family."
The then Chief Minister also launched the books, '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.
Other speakers at the event included Madhya Pradesh Culture Minister Usha Thakur, head of Akhand Paramdham Yugpurush Swami Paramanand Giri, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar and head of the Juna Akhara Swami Avdeshananda Giri and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Suresh Soni.
The 108 feet Statue of Oneness is a sole monument of its kind in the world portraying the 12-year-old saint in walking posture — a structural design challenge. It is made of bronze alloy (88 % copper, 8% tin and 4% lead) and built to last over 500 years.

A Festival of Oneness was conducted in Bhopal on February 26 and 27 by the Acharya Shankar Sanskritik Ekta Nyas.
Addressing the event, Swami Sarvapriyananda, Minister and spiritual leader of the Vedanta Society of New York, extolled modern India for confidently embracing its culture and roots. “It signifies a civilisational reawakening,” he said.
He spoke about the logical and experiential aspects of Advaita Vedanta. He marvelled at the glory of India’s spiritual knowledge, which assisted aspirants in grasping the true nature of eternity and bliss. The division of history could have been categorised as Before Upanishads (BU) and After Upanishads (AU) rather than using the traditional labels of AD and BC, providing a clearer delineation based on the influence of this ancient Indian philosophical tradition. The audience was captivated by the experiences shared by Swami Sarvapriyananda, including his insights gained from the Himalayas. The path to liberation involves non-attachment, a practice applicable even in urban environments. Whether amidst the serene Himalayas or chaos, Brahma's presence was ubiquitous, he added.
He stressed the importance of enquiry and contemplation, reflecting on the tradition of debate within Indian spirituality. He highlighted the benefits of spirituality and recommended relevant books for those on the spiritual path. The integration of Advaitic thought into the modern education system was discussed, along with practical sutras for students, pointing out the importance of study, concentration, devotion and selfless service.
He concluded with a quote from Swami Vivekananda, envisioning Advaita Vedanta as the future religion due to its rationality, inclusivity and harmony with science.
The two-day event included concerts by Rahul Vellal and Sooryagayatri featuring the hymns of Adi Shankaracharya. The event also included a five-part session in which Swami Sarvapriyananda explored various aspects of Vedanta. It covered topics such as Advaita and Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Mechanics, global warming and Sustainable Development Goals. Praveen Chaturvedi of Prachyam moderated the session.