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International Yoga Festival Unites 80 Nations in Rishikesh's Spiritual Hub

The International Yoga Festival commenced at Rishikesh's Parmarth Niketan Ashram with traditional prayers and Ganga Aarti. Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj, the ashram's president, highlighted the participation of people from over 80 countries, including Iran, Israel, the US, Russia, and Ukraine. The event featured Acharya Balkrishna and drummer Shivamani, with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Governor Gurmit Singh expected to attend. The festival emphasizes yoga's role in fostering global unity, harmony, and personal health over its seven-day duration.

Key Points: Yoga Festival in Rishikesh Draws Global Practitioners

  • Festival runs March 9-15 at Parmarth Niketan
  • Participants from 80+ countries including US, Russia, Ukraine
  • Focus on yoga, Ayurveda, and Indian spirituality
  • Aims to establish global unity and peace
2 min read

International practitioners attend 7-day Yoga Festival in Rishikesh

The 7-day International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan Ashram begins, uniting hundreds from 80 countries for yoga, Ayurveda, and Ganga Aarti.

"This is Yoga, which brings unity among people. It establishes harmony. - Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj"

Rishikesh, March 10

The Yoga Festival, which is being held at Parmarth Niketan Ashram from March 9 to 15, began on Monday with traditional prayers and rituals.

Yoga practitioners from India and abroad have arrived at Parmarth Niketan Ashram to participate in the event.

At the Ganga Ghat of Parmarth Niketan, the chief guest, Acharya Balkrishna of Patanjali Yog Peeth, was present along with the drummer Shivamani. The President of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj, performed the Ganga Aarti and special prayers, seeking the blessings of Mother Ganga.

Speaking to ANI, he said, "When Respected Acharya Balkrishna Ji gave his message, along with Yoga, people became interested in Ayurveda, along with Yoga, and started discussing and following him. This means that people have so much interest in Yoga, in Ayurveda, in Indian spirituality, in Dharma...If you are going to give the right hand, people are ready to take it."

On the occasion, he encouraged people to practice yoga regularly to stay healthy and free from diseases. Hundreds of devotees and visitors gathered at the Ganga Ghat to take part in the Ganga Aarti.

"People from about 80 countries are coming here, and many have reached. And in that, ambassadors from many countries are coming," he said, adding that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.) would also arrive during the festival.

Highlighting that people from different countries, including Iran, Israel, the US, Russia, and Ukraine, are attending the festival, he emphasized that Yoga brings unity.

"This is Yoga, which brings unity among people. It establishes harmony. Yoga establishes balance and peace within the body. Along with that, it also works to establish unity in the world. In this journey of uniting, today is the first day; in the next 7 days, everyone should unite and enjoy," he added.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Aman W
Great initiative, but I hope the focus remains on the spiritual and health aspects of yoga, and it doesn't become overly commercialized or politicized. The essence should be preserved for the genuine seekers.
R
Rohit P
Amazing to see people from Iran, Israel, US, Russia all on the same ghat! If yoga can bring them together, it really is a powerful tool for world peace. Jai Ganga Maiya! 🕉️
S
Sarah B
Attended this festival last year from Canada. It's a life-changing experience. The combination of yoga, the Ganges, and the ashram atmosphere is something you cannot find anywhere else in the world. Highly recommend it to all.
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Vikram M
Good to see CM Dhami and the Governor attending. Government support for promoting our soft power and wellness tourism is crucial. This brings good revenue and global recognition to Uttarakhand.
K
Kavya N
The integration of Ayurveda with yoga is the perfect approach. Our ancestors always saw them as two sides of the same coin for complete well-being. Hope the international participants take this holistic knowledge back home.

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