A stalwart of virtue and intellectual brilliance, Prof. Dr. Vishwanath D. Karad is an extraordinary persona in the truest sense – an engineer and scientist by qualification, a leader and visionary by value system, an orator and thinker by experience and an architect and designer by passion.

Presently known to be the largest dome in the world, the remarkable monument has a diameter of 160 feet. With only 24 pillars as the foundation, the structure can accommodate more than 3,000 people at any given time. Connecting back to the philosophy of Philosopher Sant Dnyaneshwara that the world we live in and perceive is not merely an illusion, but a manifestation of the ultimate reality/ the truth – the Almighty God, that lies beyond the perception of senses and the grasp of logic, the dome is an enlightened edifice in entirety.

The dome houses a library at the base and a prayer hall above, with 54 bronze statues of revered scholars, saints, scientists, philosophers and gurus. The library covers an unbelievable expanse of 62,500 sq. ft. and is a testament of the knowledge and wisdom that India as a country holds and disseminates. The center of the dome houses the meditation center, from where all the divine energy and positivity emanates. Eight grand pillars at the core represent the life-sustaining and enriching systems that propagate the core values of life and existence such as Yoga, Vipassana, Namaaz, Prayer etc. The meditation center is designed with a purpose to scientifically balance the seven chakras of the human body and align the self with the universal forces that drive the mind, soul and entire existence. This is because the life force, or ‘prana’, that moves inside of everybody is spinning and rotating. This spinning energy has seven centers in the body, called ‘chakras’ starting at the base of the spine and moving towards the crown of the head. In a healthy, balanced person, the seven chakras provide exactly the right amount of energy to every part of the body, mind and spirit, synchronizing the body with the higher universal forces. The ensuing 12 pillars symbolize the religious duty that humans abide by – duty towards the mother, father, family, society, the Nation and the world. They represent the 12 major religions that have thrived and transformed the word – Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Baha’i, Taoism, Shintoism and Confucianism. This superlative monument envisioned by Prof. Dr. Vishwanath D. Karad conveys to the world the message of peace, divinity and integrity and depicts the Vedic principle of ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’ (The World is One Family). Going further, the next 24 pillars represent sciences that define and steer life, including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Geography, etc. Beyond these fundamental pillars, stand tall the pillars that embolden holistic living and all-inclusive growth such as the domains of music, drama, art, culture, etc. All these imposing pillars together represent sustainability on which the consciousness and cognizance of all living beings on Mother Earth rests and prospers. The 108 pillars uphold and preach the values of world peace, benevolence, well-being of humankind and sustainability. Going beyond the architectural elements, the 108 pillars stand for something that is more significant. The number 108 has long been considered a sacred number in Hinduism and yoga. Traditionally, malas, or garlands of prayer beads, come as a string of 108 beads. Furthermore, renowned mathematicians of Vedic culture viewed 108 as a number of the wholeness of existence, which connects the Sun, Moon, and Earth. According to yogic tradition, there are 108 Upanishads and 108 marma points, or sacred places of the body. Based on these 108 pillars of religion/spirituality, science and philosophy and others, the monument shall lead the way to establish itself and the country as a symbol of universal peace and humanity.

Going further, the dome is home to 54 outstanding, impeccably sculpted, larger-than-life, alive statues that inspire, impress and subconsciously communicate. For the first time in the world, such 54 distinguished saints, scientists and philosophers from across the globe, have been brilliantly crafted and installed as bronze statues under the same roof. These multi-faceted, global historical personalities and pioneers are regarded as Makers of World of Science, Makers of World of Literature, Makers of World of Knowledge and Wisdom, Makers of World of Religions, Makers of World of Social Reforms, and they all have given shape to the world history and civilization as it exists today. These leading lights and thought leaders exemplify the union of science, philosophy and spirituality, as initiated by Swami Vivekananda – the great noble son of India, and the common purpose that each of them seeks to achieve. These awe-inspiring statues of universally acclaimed saints, scientists and philosophers such as Sant Tukaram, Saint Meerabai, Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, Mahatma Gandhi, Moses to name a few, are extraordinary and attention grabbing. The apex of the dome houses an idol of Goddess Saraswati – the Hindu Goddess of knowledge, music, art, wisdom and learning. Just like Goddess Saraswati, the dome symbolizes the concepts of intelligence, consciousness, knowledge, creativity, education and enlightenment. Sant Dnyaneshwara and Goddess Saraswati are both embodiments of profound knowledge that the Indian culture stands for and the dome in its complete form signifies the knowledge that the world needs and desires.

As quoted by Saint Dnyaneshwara, “Om Namojiaadhya. Vedpratipadya. Jay Jay Swasvedya Aatmarupa”, is an ideology for the whole universe, which emphasizes on the ultimate reality, the ultimate truth of the world. Saint Dnyaneshwar gave the message that the entire Universe is the manifestation of pure intelligence and consciousness. Consequently, “Knowledge is God” and “The Ultimate Truth is Knowledge Divine” are philosophies that are an integral part of the structure and “Sant Dnyaneshwara” is a symbolic representation of the pathway that the monument seeks to lead. The marvelous and majestic structure, by being the largest dome in the world, seeks to establish to the world, the connection between spirituality and science, from Sant Dnyaneshwara to Albert Einstein.