Bangalore, Jan 12 (IANS) Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has won the Sant Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize 2006 in recognition of his contribution in spreading world peace, the Art of Living said Thursday.

The award has been instituted by World Peace Centre (Alandi) and the Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT), Pune, and carries a cash prize of Rs.525,000, a gold-plated idol of Sant Dnyaneshwara and a citation.

The honour was conferred Wednesday at Alandi near Pune at a function attended by several eminent personalities including renowned computer scientist Vijay Bhatkar and former chief election commissioner T.N. Seshan.

Ravi Shankar announced that the money he has received would be utilised to popularise organic farming in the country.

The Art of Living Foundation enjoys millions of followers in India and abroad.

IANS