International Yoga Day marked in Lumbini

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, June 21: A large-scale Yoga demonstration was organised in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha and a UNESCO heritage site, on Thursday.

 The Embassy of India in Nepal in association with the Lumbini Development Trust organised the  Yoga demonstration in the presence of Jokh Bahadur Mahara, Chief Minister of Lumbini, said the Embassy of India in a statement on Thursday. 

Earlier on Wednesday, a similar Yoga demonstration was organised in Pokhara. 

The theme for this year's International Yoga Day is "Yoga for Self and Society."

Addressing the event, Chief Minister Mahara thanked the Embassy of India for organising the significant event at the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha. He underlined that the International Day of Yoga would help to generate greater awareness about Yoga leading to a more healthy and balanced society.

Senior officials of the Lumbini Development Trust and more than 900 Yoga enthusiasts from the region participated in the event.

Speaking at the same event, Ambassador of India to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, underlined that Yoga has become a global phenomenon, particularly since the United Nations designated 21 June as the International Day of Yoga in 2014 based on a proposal by India. 

He said that the sacred land of Lumbini, a symbol of peace and harmony, provides a perfect setting to celebrate the timeless practice of Yoga. 

He also said that the Embassy of India will collaborate every year with the Lumbini Development Trust to celebrate the International Day of Yoga in Lumbini.

The event was part of a series of events being conducted by the Embassy of India to celebrate the 10th International Day of Yoga across various cities in Nepal.  

The International Yog Day is marked on June 21 every year. 

Likewise, the Indian Embassy organised similar Yoga demonstrations in three separate locations in Pokhara on Thursday. 

According to the Embassy, the demonstrations were organised at Sarangkot,  Pumdikot and Shanti Stupa of Anadu Hill.