The 11th International Yoga Day was successfully celebrated in the premises of the Payana Heritage Car Museum, located on the outskirts of Mysuru city. A grand Yoga Sangama (confluence of yoga) was held at the museum grounds by SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Ujire, in association with the Ministry of AYUSH.
Inaugurating the program, Swami Muktidanandaji Maharaj, President of the Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysuru, stated that yoga is a powerful practice that restores peace, calmness, happiness, and health, which are increasingly lost due to the modern lifestyle. He expressed concern that today’s youth are becoming excessively absorbed in gadgets like mobile phones, TVs, and other digital media, causing a loss of mental peace.
He further said that yoga not only improves physical health but also enhances mental peace. In this direction, the efforts of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala educational institutions in organizing such a large-scale yoga program to spread awareness among people is commendable.
Another eminent guest cum Journalist K. Shivakumar noted that Mysuru has a rich legacy of yoga since the time of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, making the city globally renowned for yoga. A. Devaraju, Commissioner of the Department of Archaeology and Heritage, Mysuru, spoke about the significance of yoga.
Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade, the Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala, his prerecorded video message was played and extended his best wishes for the yoga event in his absence .
On this occasion, Yoga practitioner Kumari Chinmayi A of Bengaluru, was honoured with the ‘Yogarathna award’. Also, the book “Principles of Yoga” authored by Dr. Maharudra Swamy was released.
The event saw participation from over 3,500 yoga enthusiasts from 68 yoga centers and Gram Panchayat levels in the region. Various renowned yoga practitioners also performed live demonstrations on stage, drawing great attention.
Dr. Prashanth Shetty, Principal, SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Ujire; Dr. Narendra K. Shetty, Chief Wellness Officer, Kshemavana, and Dr. B. Shashikant Jain, Director of the Yoga and Moral Education Program were also present at the event.
