Countries around the world will celebrate the third International Yoga Day on June 21. On this occasion, Devbhimu Uttarakhand has special reason to rejoice and celebrate as this land has, since ancient times, been the land of Gods and sages. The land where the excellent arts of life like yoga and meditation emanated from. It has been home to legendary sages like Ved Vyas and Rabhya Rishi.
This land of the gods has several sites that link it to the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The great Dronacharya meditated on the banks of the Tonnes river in the Doon valley while the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, meditated at Hemkund lake which finds mention in “Bachitra Natak”, the autobiography of Guru Gobind Singh. Hemkund is also believed to be lokpal, a place existing from the times of Ramayana. It is said that lokpal was the place where lakshman sat on meditation. lokpal has been associated with lakshman, for being his favorite place. There are many stories about lakshman and his attachment with this place. It is also believed that lakshman meditated by this lake and regained health after being wounded by Meghnad, son of Ravana.
Even the Ganga, which has been a part of our country’s history, religion and culture since times immemorial, reflects a maturity, serenity and calmness as it flows through Rishikesh and Hardwar. The mighty river itself seems to be in deep meditation in these two sacred cities
It is then but evident that Uttarakhand is the natural home of the ancient art of Yoga which is always linked with meditation. Ancient Yogis meditated all over the hills and dales of this beautiful land, making its very air conducive to nurturing this art of attaining a purified and receptive mind. Yoga has made its way from Vedas like Athrava Veda and Rig Veda, down the ages, into the modern way of living in today’s world. It has emerged as a complete wellness regime.
The numberless Ashrams in Haridwar and Rishikesh , the two gateways to the Himalayan shrines, provide ideal destinations for those seeking Yoga training. In fact, Rishikesh is popularly known as the “Yoga Capital” and “Ashram City” due to the large number of ashrams located there on the banks of the mighty Ganga. This spiritual town, surrounded by the Shivaliks on three sides, is believed to have been the meditating site of several sages and ascetics. Rishikesh received its name from Raibhya Rishi who performed penance (tapasya) in the mango groves here to please lord Vishnu.
In Rishikesh, on the other side of the Ram Jhoola, upstream of the Ganga, lies a world that captures the essence of Yoga. It is appropriately named “Swargashram” as it has a divine air and complexion. And it is also the most happening area in the ashram city of Rishikesh , attracting tourists and pilgrims from all parts of the country and abroad , around the year
For those who love to buy and read books on Yoga, meditation, spirituality and self improvement, the little bazaar at Swargashram is a veritable treasure house. Works of Osho, BKS Iyengar ,Swami Rama, and U G Krishnamurti are easily available.
It is the beautiful Parmarth Niketan which is the great hub of activity in Swargashram. Every year, in the first week of March, an International Yoga Festival is held at Parmarth which brings together Yoga exponents and students from all over the world.
The Patanjali Yogpeeth and the Divya Yog Mandir (Trust), both in Haridwar, have given a fresh impetus to Yoga not only in India but throughout the world.
So, as the world celebrates Yoga Day today, Uttarakhand has special reason for the celebrations.