Rishikesh, also known as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’, is all set to host the International Yoga Festival this year from March 1.
The festivity will last for about a week concluding on March 7. The festival aims to bring together the ancient practices of yoga with contemporary ideas. Yoga has become a more popular art form
A sage called Patanjali laid down the minute rules and techniques of the science. Yoga was primarily a science for wellness and to attain harmony of the body, mind, and soul. Yoga is not just an activity or a workout, but a way to live life. Yoga has gained popularity in recent times, globally and in India with people engaging in this way of life and going back to their roots.
International Yoga Festival is a wonderful opportunity to detoxify and purifies oneself.
History:
International Yoga Festival kicked off in the year 1999 in Rishikesh’s Parmarth Niketan Ashram. Earlier the meditation classes were held under the guidance of Pujya Shri Swami Veda Bharat Ji, and the Yoga asanas were taught by Yogacharya Shri Bharat Bhushan Ji.
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Schedule:
The festival will take place from March 1 to March 7 in Rishikesh, Parmarth Niketan Ashram on the banks of River Ganga.
Highlight:
One can look forward to a performance by legendary Baul artist, Parvathy Baul. He is a painter and also plays iktara, duggi and nupur (anklets). Other than that, Pandava Nritya is expected to be another crowd-puller this year.
Things to know:
The celebration of Yoga is a harmonious event organized on the shores of River Ganges amid the spiritual ambiance.
The one-week festival covers over 70 hours of Yoga classes under world-class Yoga teachers practicing multiple styles of Yoga including Iyengar Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, and Power Vinyasa Yoga. Also, there are numerous meditative sessions of Agnihotra, Ajapa Japa, Antar Mauna, Chakra Sudhi, Chidakasha Dharma.
All sessions will be carried out in the ashram complex by practitioners. The true religious spirit of Rishikesh is further celebrated as evenings of the weeklong festival are spent at the riverside gardens.
General pointers:
- Classes start early in the morning at 4 am.
- One-hour yoga class at 6.30 am and a simple breakfast post the class.
- Many two-hour hour yoga sessions start at 8.30 am.
- Inspiring lectures from revered saints – 11:00 am.
- Traditional Indian lunch – 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.
- Three Yogasana classes – 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm, after a short break
- Aarti, on the banks of river Ganga – 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm
- Dinner – 7pm
- Special evening programs of Satsang, cultural song, and dance performances, campfires.
- Lights out – 9:30 pm