Thousands attend Yoga Day in Mysore

In the city known as the yoga capital, thousands of yoga practitioners rolled out their mats in front of the iconic Mysore Palace on Friday and performed a variety of asanas to mark International Yoga Day.

The district administration has made arrangements for around 10,000 people to participate in the event in front of the palace and in 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present to lead the main programme of the Yoga Day.

Mysore is a major destination for students of yoga, with more than 120 institutions teaching the ancient Indian discipline.

The revival of yoga can also be credited to the patronage of the maharajas of Mysore. Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, who ruled for much of the 19th century, compiled a treatise called the Sritatvanidhi, which contained descriptions and sketches of 120 yoga poses. Later, Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, who ruled from 1902 to 1940, invited yoga guru T. Krishnamacharya to Mysore, whose students included BKS Iyengar and Pattabhi Jois, and who played a key role in popularizing yoga around the world.

Friday’s event was inaugurated by District In-charge Minister HC Mahadevappa, who emphasised the importance of yoga and the need to adopt it as a habit to maintain good health and prevent lifestyle-related diseases.

Yoga not only improves physical fitness but also mental health, the minister said, adding that regular practice of yoga leads to disciplined living, promotes overall health and contributes to society.

Recalling his ancestors’ contribution to popularizing yoga, Mysore Member of Parliament Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar said that International Yoga Day has been celebrated with great pomp in Mysore since its inception, adding that yoga enthusiasts in Mysore should also take up mass during Dasara this year in order to set a Guinness World Record.

Krishnaraja state assemblyman TS Srivatsa said Mysore, owing to the patronage of the erstwhile Maharajas, has pioneered many initiatives, yoga being one of them. He said Mysore’s popularity as a yoga destination was such that the city was synonymous with the ancient Indian practice.

Deputy Commissioner KV Rajendra said the district administration would extend its full support to the mega yoga events being organised during Dasara. Yoga Day has received global support and endorsement as people have realised the benefits of this ancient Indian practice. Yoga is not only India’s gift to the world, Mysore has also left its mark on the world through its association with yoga, Rajendra said.

Members of Mysore Yoga Federation, Mysore District Yoga Foundation, Yoga Shikshana Samshodhana Samste etc participated in the event.