A colourful and grand rehearsal for the international yoga day took place on Sunday morning at the Capitol Complex, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the second yoga day celebrations on June 21.
Nearly 30,000 participants from across Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana participated in the rehearsal presided over by the Governor of Haryana and Punjab and UT Administrator Kaptan Singh Solanki.
The rehearsals began at 7:30 am and got over at 8:15 am and saw the participation of persons from ITBP, Defence forces, Panjab University, Divyangs, various yoga foundations, school children and the selected few from the yoga orientation training camps.
Kaptan Singh Solanki inspected all arrangements for second international yoga day. Addressing the gathering, he said Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action, restraint and fulfillment, harmony between man and nature and a holistic approach to health and well-being,” said he.
Appreciating the foolproof and excellent arrangements done by UT Administration, the Governor thanked the participants for showing their complete commitment to celebrate this mega event in a big way.
Yoga Protocol asanas were performed during the rehearsals. The asanas are divided into different sections, beginning with the loosening up exercises, like neck bending and body twisting. The second section of asanas done in standing posture comprises six yoga exercises, including Tadasana or palm tree posture, and Vriksasana or the tree posture.
The third section is of sitting postures, with five asanas, including Sasankasana, or the hare posture and Vakrasana, or spinal twist posture. Breathing exercises like Kapalbhati and Pranayama follow, then a spot of meditation, and finally the Shanti Path.
The main event to be held on June 21 will witness participation of nearly 35000 people at the Capitol Complex and 10,000 persons at 100 other locations across the city.
Tight security arrangements are being made for the main event. Around 7,000 police personnel will be deployed in the city to keep a vigil during PM’s visit. Security officials have conducted search operations in various parts of the city and vehicles are also being checked at special nakas.
Prohibitory orders will be imposed for 24 hours from the noon of June 20, in the wake of PM Modi's visit to Chandigarh. All parking spots within 200 feet of the Prime Minister's cavalcade routes have been declared as 'no parking zone' from the midnight of June 19 June till June 21 noon.