On the 5th International Day of Yoga various programmes were held in Rishikesha and Haridwar. In Rishikesh, about 500 people from across India and abroad participated on the banks of Ganga in the yoga capital of the world. Various Yoga centres participated in the celebrations at Parmarth Niketan along with monks from the Jain and Buddhist traditions.
In Haridwar as well various Yoga outfits observed the occasion. The district officials participated in Bhalla college stadium while various social organisations and Bharat Swabhiman Trust along with Patanjali Yog Samiti observed common Yoga protocol at Swarna Jayanti Park in BHEL.
Chidanand Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan said, “This initiative has led to citizens of over 170 countries across the globe celebrating by practicing Yoga in their embassies, capitals, parks, schools and public facilities. International Yoga Day is an initiative that crosses borders, uniting people to work together to bring greater harmony and health to the world.”
Bhagawati Saraswati said, “Yoga is beyond religion and is for all. Yoga promotes not just asana, but also shows us how our lives can become asan (easy). It makes us flexible in our body and in our daily lives. With yoga, we can learn to become bridges and not barriers in our communities, building stronger relationships and foundations out of which greater service to humanity and to the world and to the planet can happen.”