By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Rishikesh, 17 Dec: The three-day Rishikesh Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan, here, witnessed over five hundred participants from more than 25 countries, celebrating the essence of yoga in the Yoga Capital of the World. Participants engaged in transformative yoga sessions, workshops, and satsangs that honoured the legacy of Yoga Masters and the spirit of yoga.
The festival opened on 14 December, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Yog Guru BKS Iyengar. A sacred Yagya Ceremony and a tribute during the evening Parmarth Ganga Aarti, led by Swami Chidanand Saraswati, marked the beginning of the event. Workshops on Iyengar Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, meditation, sound healing, and Ashtanga Vinyasa were complemented by satsangs with Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, creating a holistic experience for all attendees.
The concluding ceremony celebrated the contributions of all participants and teachers especially from the Yoga Schools across RIshikesh, with over two dozen schools participating. A heartfelt appreciation was extended to each participant, encouraging them to uphold and share the teachings of yoga with authenticity and dedication. The event concluded with a clarion call for World Meditation Day to be celebrated with the same zest as World Yoga Day on 21 December, uniting hearts and minds worldwide in peace and mindfulness.
“Rishikesh, the Yoga Capital of the World, is a sanctuary of yoga’s true essence. It’s inspiring to see people from across the globe come together to experience this ancient wisdom and carry its transformative power to their communities. Time has come for Green Yoga – where yogis and yoga enthusiasts work together to protect and preserve our water bodies and our sacred Mother Earth,” said Swami Chidanand Saraswati.
“Yoga is more than just asanas—it’s a way of life that heals, unites, and uplifts. The Rishikesh Yoga Festival reminds us to live yoga with authenticity, service, and devotion. There are countless yoga studios and centres across the world but nothing that can compare to the holy banks of Maa Ganga and Rishikesh. It is our responsibility to protect this Yog Ganga, ensuring it is protected and preserved for countless more generations to come” shared Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati.
As the festival concluded, participants departed with renewed inspiration to embody yoga in their daily lives and share its light with the world.
