Dhanbad is gearing up to accord a warm welcome to The Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar during his maiden visit on March 2.

Two sessions have been planned at Golf Ground and at IIT(ISM) lower grounds.

At Golf Ground, organisers are expecting a crowd of over a lakh. Entry is free.

At IIT(ISM), some 4,000 people, including engineering students and professors, will attend the session.

A large open stage is being set up on Golf Ground for a mahasatsang likely to start at 4.45pm on March 2. Enthusiasts from Dhanbad and adjoining areas such as Giridih, Bokaro, Deoghar, Jamtara, Dumka and Bengal's Purulia, Bankura and Midnapore are likely to come for the mega event.

The Art of Living member Binod Kumar Tulsyan, who is co-ordinating Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Dhanbad visit, said, " Bhumi pujan for the programme will be held on Golf Ground on February 24."

Fifty-two members associated with Youth Leadership Training Programme of The Art of Living have reached Dhanbad to campaign for the event and will also visit remote parts of the district, Tulsyan said. "Banners and posters are being put up while a team is campaigning in Naxalite-hit Tundi."

A session with IIT(ISM) students, teachers and family members will be held at lower grounds of the institute from 7.15pm to 8.30pm the same day.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will reach Deoghar on March 1 where he will attend an evening mahasatsang and perform a puja at Baidyanathdham on March 2 after which he will come to Dhanbad. He will leave for Ranchi on March 3.