A large number of yoga enthusiasts and followers gathered at Lumbini Square in Nepal to participate in various yoga poses, known as "asanas," in preparation for the upcoming International Day of Yoga. This event marked the first time such a large-scale yoga gathering had been organized in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, revered as the "Light of Asia."

The event was jointly organized by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, the Nepal Tourism Board, the Lumbini Development Trust, and the Patanjali Yog Peeth. Notable attendees included Honorable Sudan Kirati, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Civil Aviation; Honorable Dilli Chaudhari, Chief Minister of Lumbini Province; HE. Naveen Shrivastava, Indian Ambassador to Nepal; Sajuruddhin Musalman, Mayor of Lumbini Cultural Municipality; officials from the Lumbini Development Trust and the Chief District Officer of Rupandehi. Local yoga supporters also participated and performed various yoga postures under the guidance of a yoga guru from the Patanjali Yog Peeth.

While addressing the event, Sudan Kirati, the Tourism Minister of Nepal, highlighted the scientific formulation of Patanjali Yog by Maharshi Patanjali, with contributions from numerous saints, rishis, and munis. He also emphasized Nepal's contribution to the field of yoga, stating that Yoga originated in India but Nepal has also played a significant role.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, remarked that the popularity of yoga extends beyond India and Nepal, mentioning, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other global leaders would attend and address International Day of Yoga, the following day, in New York, US. He said that this worldwide participation demonstrated the widespread popularity of yoga, not only in India and Nepal but across the globe. He expressed the desire for the Lumbini yoga event to be held annually on June 20th or 21st in collaboration between the Indian Embassy, the Lumbini Provincial Government, the central government, and the Development Trust.

 

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