Raseshwari Devi announces massive 1,500-seat yoga & meditation hall in Odisha; Internet wants to know: who is she?

Spiritual leader Raseshwari Devi has announced the construction of a large Yoga and Meditation Hall near Tangi in Odisha’s Khurda district on the occasion of World Meditation Day 2026. According to reports, the upcoming facility will have a seating capacity of more than 1,500 people and is expected to become a major centre for meditation retreats, yogic learning and spiritual programmes in eastern India.

The project is being developed by the Braj Gopika Seva Mission, an organisation founded by Raseshwari Devi in 1998.

Who is Raseshwari Devi?

Born in Bhilai, Raseshwari Devi pursued higher education in Mathematics and English Literature before dedicating herself to spirituality.


She embraced a life of sannyas, or complete renunciation, at the age of 22 on 15 October 1988 under the guidance of her Guru, Jagadguru Swami Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj.

Followers regard Kripalu Ji Maharaj as one of the leading Jagadgurus of modern times, known for promoting Bhakti Yoga and devotional teachings centred on Shri Krishna.

Meditation retreat in Haridwar planned for June 2026

Alongside the Odisha project, the organisation has also announced a week-long meditation camp in Haridwar from 11 June to 17 June 2026.

Reports suggest that around 2,500 participants, including international attendees, are expected to take part in the event. The camp will reportedly include guided meditation sessions, yoga practices, spiritual discourses and devotional programmes.

Organisers say the retreat aims to promote meditation awareness and holistic wellbeing through traditional Indian spiritual practices.

Expansion of spiritual and wellness initiatives

Over the past three decades, Raseshwari Devi has expanded her spiritual and social initiatives across India. Through the Braj Gopika Seva Mission, she has helped establish 21 spiritual and meditation centres in Odisha focused on wellness, meditation and devotional education.

Her teachings combine traditional Vedic philosophy with practical aspects of modern living, with a strong emphasis on Shri Krishna Bhakti traditions.

According to media reports, the organisation also works on educational, healthcare and cultural outreach programmes aimed at encouraging meditation awareness among young people and local communities.

Inputs from agencies