Peace Prayer Day

Vision of Peace

Yogi Bhajan has long inspired individuals who wish to live healthy, happy, and holy lives. As a master of Kundalini Yoga, he carried a vision of a more peaceful world and created Peace Prayer Day to support it. This gathering brings together people of every faith to unite in prayer and celebration. Since its first observance in 1986, the event has continued annually and stands as one of his many lasting contributions to humanity.

“Most beloved of God are those who are peace, at peace, share peace, and bring peace to all.”

~Yogi Bhajan

The Siri Singh Sahib, Yogi Bhajan also created Peace Prayer Day to honor an ancient Indigenous tradition in which communities gathered to pray for inner healing and global peace. Over time, this tradition has continued at Ram Das Puri in New Mexico, USA. Each year, people gather and offer a collective prayer—a prayer projected outward as a beam of light, healing, and unity.

Peace Prayer Day Program

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Beginnings of Peace Prayer Day

During the tense climate of the Cold War in the 1980s, global concerns about peace grew sharply. The creation of Peace Prayer Day offered a deeply needed source of unity, hope, and grounding. The event emphasized devotion rather than politics and included shared prayer, music, and interfaith respect.

Yogi Bhajan planted the seed for Peace Prayer Day during the 1985 Summer Solstice Celebration at Ram Das Puri in New Mexico. The first official Peace Prayer Day took place at the 1986 Summer Solstice gathering—the same year the United Nations declared the “Year of Peace.”

Wide Range of Diversity

Throughout its history, Peace Prayer Day has welcomed people representing many cultures, faiths, and backgrounds. Programs regularly include representatives of Catholic, Islamic, Buddhist, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu, Quaker, Unitarian, Baha’i, and Native American traditions, along with many others. Consequently, a uniquely inclusive character has been cultivated year after year.

A sample of honored guests includes:

• Hopi Elders
• Eagle Dancers and Drummers
• An Aztec Dancer
• Mayan Indian Dancer
• Governor of New Mexico, Tony Anaya
• Guru Ma Jyotishanand from the Hanuman Temple
• Rabbi Leonard Helman
• Mike Driscoll – Houston, Texas City Attorney
• A Representative for H.H. Dalai Lama from the Tibetan Buddhists
• Choirs from the Presbyterian and Muslim faiths
• Father Jose Lopez of El Santuario de Chimayó
• Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach
• Numerous local and state officials at all levels of government and from all affiliated parties – too many to mention!

With such broad participation, the event continues to be a profoundly diverse gathering dedicated to unity.

Supporting Global Peace Work

For years, Peace Prayer Day honored exceptional individuals with Man of Peace and Woman of Peace awards. Additionally, in June 1998, Golden Temple Natural Foods announced that a portion of its profits would support Golden Temple Peace Cereal Grants. These grants helped organizations dedicated to global peace.

In 1998, a total of $55,000 was distributed to the following recipients:

1. Grandmothers for Peace International
2. The Conflict Resolution Center International
3. The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
4. Peace Brigades international
5. The Family Violence Prevention Fund
6. Volunteers for Peace Incorporated
7. The Fellowship of Reconciliation

Representatives from each group were invited to Peace Prayer Day so that the grants could be formally received.

Over the years, these awards continued. View the 3HO Timeline to see more about the awards given at Peace Prayer Days.

Music as a Conduit for Peace and Prayer

Because music has always been essential within the 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy) lifestyle, a natural emphasis on musical expression has developed at Peace Prayer Day. As a result, the event has become a place where music from many cultures is performed, honored, and shared. Whether sung through Gurbani Kirtan, gospel choirs, drum groups, bhangra, healing music, or ceremonial traditions, the music allows hearts to open and the collective spirit to rise.

The Peace Flame

One of the most memorable elements of Peace Prayer Day is the arrival of the Peace Flame. As described in the 1987 issue of Beads of Truth, the ceremony was remembered with great reverence.

A torch lit from the Eternal Flame of Peace was carried more than 26 miles from El Santuario de Chimayo by MSS Guru Terath Singh Khalsa, who was accompanied by other honored runners. Eventually, the small figures of the runners appeared on the horizon, and the crowd watched as the flame was brought forward to enthusiastic cheers. The flame was received on behalf of the Siri Singh Sahib of Sikh Dharma by Bhai Sahiba Bibiji Inderjit Kaur and by Reverend Jose Lopez on behalf of El Santuario de Chimayo.

Sacred Healing Walk

One of the enduring closing ceremonies of Peace Prayer Day is the <u>Sacred Healing Walk</u>. Although it is usually held around sunset, it has always been open to all participants who wish to walk together with a shared intention of purification and peace.

According to historical accounts, this tradition was passed to Yogi Bhajan by Hopi elders before being woven into the event. Thus, as participants walk, their bodies become part of the collective prayer itself, and the experience is often remembered long after.

Peace Prayer Day within Summer Solstice

Peace Prayer Day eventually evolved within the broader container of the Summer Solstice gathering, which is centered on Kundalini Yoga, meditation, and community living. For this reason, Peace Prayer Day has served as a moment when the gathering opens outward and welcomes visitors, speakers, performers, and guests from many walks of life. Nevertheless, the day remains grounded in prayer and presence.

Today, Peace Prayer Day continues to be a central part of the Summer Solstice experience.

As Relevant as Ever

As of March 2026, global tensions have risen dramatically, and the possibility of a world war feels closer than it has in decades. Because of this, humanity needs collective prayers for peace more urgently than ever.

3HO continues to host Peace Prayer Day annually, creating a space for our collective prayers to continue. We hope you can join us!

However, even if you can’t join us in New Mexico for Peace Prayer Day, you can still choose to meditate on peace to shift the rhythm of fear into a rhythm of compassion. Although Yogi Bhajan did not give a specific melody or mudra, you may silently hold or chant the mantra “Sat Narayan Wahe Guru, Hari Narayan Sat Nam” throughout the day.

Listen to versions of this mantra on SikhNet Gurbani Media Center.

Read more about Peace Prayer Day

Source: the 1987, Spring issue of the Beads of Truth (Bead 18, Vol. II), a 3HO Magazine.