Yoga Kumbh saw participants from 85 nations

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, March 11

A three-day Yoga Maha Kumbh, organized for first time during Ardh Kumbh at the Pantdeep Mela ground, concluded here today.

The event, organized jointly by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board and Parmarth Niketan, Swargashram, witnessed a participation of more than 2,000 people from around 85 countries

Spiritual guru Mooji gave a discourse at the concluding session along with Swami Chidanand Muni Saraswati and Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati of the Parmarth Niketan Ashram.

A musical performance by renowned musicians from Australia, Iran, Israel and Yemen, including Bharat Mitra and Gill Ron Shama, was a major attraction at the concluding session.

Ardh Kumbh officer-in-charge SA Murugesan termed the Yoga Maha Kumbh as successful. He said it was done on an experimental basis, but would be made an integral part of the future Kumbh fairs in Haridwar.

A pledge was also taken by participants at Har-ki-Pauri, for preservation and conservation of the Ganga.

A host of dignitaries including Chief Minister Harish Rawat, noted percussionist Sivamani, Runa Rizvi, Gayatri Shantikunj spiritual ideologue Dr Pranav Pandya, Braham Swarup Brahamchari of Jai Ram Ashram, Maha Mandaleshwar Swami Harichetnanand Maharaj of Hari Har Ashram, Dr Vandana Shiva, famous eco-social activists, noted sufi-Bollywood singer Kailash Kher, yoga gurus Dr Abha Saraswati, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, HS Arun, Anandra George, Erica Kaufman, Dr Yuva Dayalan and Prem Babaji from Brazil among others took part in the Yoga Maha Kumbh.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s OSD (Ardh Kumbh) said on the banks of Ganga and foothills of Himalayas, for the first time Yoga Maha Kumbh was organized, which has proved the significance and popularity of healthy, ancient art of yoga, practised by seers for centuries.

He said the state government was planning to make an annual yoga calendar to organise yoga events in the state.

Swami Chidanand Muni Saraswati said Uttarakhand apart from being land of deities was also birthplace of yoga.

Thanking the participants at the conclusion of the Yoga Maha Kumbh, Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati said this was a unique festival incorporated during the Ardh Kumbh.

A special yoga training session for the officials of the Ardh Kumbh administration and police was organised on the concluding day.The session was presided over by Swami Chidanand Muni Saraswati and Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati.

Trainers from Dev Sanskriti University, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Gurukul Kangri University and Gurukul Maha Vidyalya will impart free training to yoga enthusiasts during the Ardh Kumbh.