KATHMANDU, JUNE 21
The Embassy of India celebrated the International Day of Yoga with a mega yoga demonstration at Rangashala Stadium in Pokhara, today. The event saw participation from over 5000 yoga enthusiasts, including prominent figures such as Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Surindra Raj Pandey, and Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, Dhana Raj Acharya. The event was organized in collaboration with Pokhara Metropolitan City.
CM Pandey expressed gratitude to the Embassy of India for orchestrating the largest International Yoga Day event in Pokhara. He highlighted Nepal's support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2014 proposal to designate June 21 as the International Day of Yoga, a resolution adopted by the United Nations with the endorsement of 175 member states.
CM Pandey also emphasized that Yoga is an important component of the profound and enduring cultural ties between India and Nepal.
Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava highlighted that Yoga serves as a powerful cultural bridge between India and Nepal and that the organization of Yoga events in important tourist locations in Nepal can also serve to boost Yoga tourism in these places.
Mayor Acharya thanked the Indian Embassy for its efforts in promoting Pokhara as Nepal's tourism capital through such large-scale events. He expressed eagerness for future collaborations with the Embassy for International Yoga Day celebrations.
This event in Pokhara was the highlight of several yoga demonstrations organized across Nepal. To commemorate the 10th edition of International Yoga Day, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu and the Consulate General of India in Birgunj hosted a series of events in 10 cities and municipalities, including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lamjung, Lumbini, Janakpur, Chitwan, Birgunj, Hetauda, Gaur, and Pokhariya.
In line with this year's theme, "Yoga for Self and Society," the Embassy organized two pre-events: a yoga demonstration at the Pashupatinath temple and a session for the girls of Maiti Nepal in Kathmandu on June 7, 2024. On June 19, 2024, a yoga and meditation session was held for over 450 participants by Lake Phewa in Pokhara, highlighting yoga's connection to nature. The same day, a yoga demonstration and free Ayurvedic health consultations were provided to students at Pokhara University.
On June 20, 2024, yoga demonstrations took place at three iconic Pokhara landmarks: the Sarangkot viewpoint, the Shiva Temple at Pumdikot, and the Shanti Stupa on Anadu Hill. Experienced instructors led participants through various yoga practices, emphasizing their physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.
Additionally, a large-scale yoga event was held on June 20, 2024, at the Lumbini Development Trust in Lumbini, attended by Lumbini Province Chief Minister Jokh Bahadur Mahara. CM Mahara thanked the Embassy for the significant event at the birthplace of Lord Buddha and for enhancing India-Nepal cultural ties. Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava emphasized on the universal appeal of Yoga and its importance in fostering a healthy, mindful and sustainable lifestyle.
The Consulate General of India also organized International Yoga Day events in Janakpur, Chitwan, Birgunj, Hetauda, Gaur, and Pokhariya, today.
To conclude the 10th edition of International Yoga Day, the Embassy of India will host a yoga demonstration event in Lamjung district on June 22, 2024, in association with the Madhya Nepal Municipality, the embassy said.
The Embassy of India is committed to encouraging people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Nepal based on the shared interest in Yoga and holistic health practices, it added.
