Chandigarh, July 1: Standing at the edge of world defined by consumer culture, digital validation, and fast-paced ambition, a silent but stirring shift is underway — a return to spiritualism, a call to inner stillness in a noisy world. From yoga retreats in the Himalayas to crowded satsangs in Punjab’s heartland, more and more individuals are finding meaning not in possessions, but in presence.
“Materialism made me hollow. Spiritualism gave me back my breath,” said 32-year-old Gagandeep Kaur, who left a high-paying tech job in Mohali last year to study Vedanta in Rishikesh. “I used to measure my worth by how many likes I got or what phone I carried. Now I measure it by how at peace I am when I wake up.”
Across Chandigarh, from private drawing rooms to public parks, conversations are shifting. While malls bustle and new showrooms still open with fanfare, there’s a parallel culture taking root — of mindfulness, soul-work, and simplicity.
Experts say the pandemic acted as a catalyst. “When the world shut down, many were forced to sit with themselves. And for the first time, people realized how deeply disconnected they were from their own souls,” explained Dr. Charanpreet Sidhu, a Chandigarh-based clinical psychologist who now incorporates meditation and spiritual therapy in her sessions. “Patients no longer just want medication. They’re asking bigger questions: Who am I? What is the purpose of this life?”
Indeed, the hunger is palpable.
Sukhmani Dham, a small spiritual centre tucked away in the city’s Sector 44, now has a waiting list for its monthly silence retreats. “We began in 2021 with just five participants. Last month, we had 73,” said Gurudev Acharya, a former civil engineer who now leads guided meditations. “People are tired of being told what to buy. They want to be told how to be.”
His voice softened. “You can’t buy peace. But you can return to it.”
This sentiment echoes ancient Indian thought, which always held spiritual fulfilment above material accumulation. “In the Upanishads, it is written: ‘The one who knows the Self, knows everything.’ But somewhere along the line, we started chasing what lies outside,” said Professor Meenakshi Rana, who teaches philosophy at Panjab University. “Now, the pendulum is swinging back.”
But it’s not just among the older generation or hermits seeking isolation. Young people too are part of this quiet rebellion. In cafés around Sukhna Lake, one can overhear discussions about karmic cycles and astral healing. Instagram influencers now post about fasting for clarity, not weight loss.
“Spirituality is not about renouncing life. It’s about enhancing it,” said 25-year-old Jai Malhotra, who hosts a popular podcast on everyday spiritual living. “My goal is not to escape the world, but to stop letting it control my inner weather.”
Malhotra, like many others in Chandigarh’s urban youth circles, believes spiritual awareness has become essential for mental survival. “You can have the best car, but if you’re weeping behind the wheel, what’s the point?” he asked.
Critics, however, argue that spiritualism too is at risk of being commodified. Wellness brands and self-styled “gurus” are turning age-old wisdom into profitable packages. “It’s a valid concern,” admitted Dr. Sidhu. “That’s why discernment is crucial. Real spiritual growth comes quietly, not with hashtags or expensive workshops.”
Even so, the craving for something deeper persists.
“I think we’re waking up,” said 67-year-old Harbhajan Singh, who once ran a chain of clothing stores in Chandigarh and now spends most of his time meditating. “When I was younger, I thought success meant more money. Now I know success is a calm mind.”
The trend is also influencing how families raise their children. At Lotus World School in Zirakpur, weekly sessions on mindfulness and gratitude journaling have been introduced. “We realised children need tools to handle emotions, not just textbooks,” said Principal Neetu Narula. “And parents have been incredibly supportive. They tell us this is what even they missed learning growing up.”
As the sun sets over Chandigarh, and the traffic hums along Madhya Marg, one can still find a group sitting in quiet contemplation under the peepal tree near Sector 17 Plaza. No phones, no branding — just presence.
In a world of relentless consumption, the choice to sit still, to feel, to breathe — is becoming radical.
As Gurudev Acharya put it: “Materialism feeds the body. But only spiritualism can nourish the soul. And people are realising — the soul has been starving for far too long.”
