Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art Of Living Festival started with a Flourish.

Art Of Living's, the controversial World Cultural Festival is being held to celebrate the 35 years of service.

Nearly 36,000 artists from around 155 countries have came to perform on what is possibly the world's largest stage.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also responded to the critics surroundings the three-days festival saying that the event was indeed a private affair, as quoted by a few, as a whole world is a family. He then went to say that it is common to face obstacles when holding such a huge event.

Before the Three-Days event started off, light showers sent participants scurrying for cover. However, the rain did not dampen off the mood at the event, with the proceedings going ahead as scheduled.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared the stage with the spiritual Sri Sri and other dignitaries.

Earlier today, after the National Green Tribunal(NGT) ordered the spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's art Of Living to pay up the interim compensation of 5 crore for environmental damage at the Yamuna Floodpains due to the World Culture Festival, the organisation moved an application saying it needs four weeks time to deposit the amount and to comply with all tribunal directions.

Reacting to the controversies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at the event on Friday said," If we keep criticising ourselves, why wourld the world look at us?

PM Modi heaped praise on Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Art Of  Living foundation for holding the event.