KATHMANDU: The much-hyped Yoga Vigyan Shivir-2010 ended Thursday, with thousands of yoga aspirants including some of high profile personalities attending it over the last six days in Kathmandu.

Conducted by Ram Dev, a renowned yoga guru from northern India, the yoga camp began on March 27 and in the following days, attracted some 39, 000 people from all walks of life.

A purse of Rs 6 million was raised from ticket sales, while a sum of Rs 2 million was collected from issuance of lifetime memberships. Likewise, Rs 2 million came from donations offered by corporate sectors, said Saligram Singh, coordinator of the organising committee and trustee of Patanjali Yog Peeth, Kathmandu.

Singh also said some Rs 2.5 million was spent on the management of the camp that was stationed at Tundikhel in Kathmandu. The space for the camp was provided by the Kathmandu Metropolis and the Nepal Army free of cost.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said, “Swami Ram Dev has brought about a revolution in the sector of yoga practices. We can solve any problem through yoga if only we mediate deeply and act honestly."

Terming yoga as the supreme religion, PM Nepal said there was no religion greater than the religion of patriotism and national interests [that come from yogic love, determination and dedication] and called on all to work towards the higher task of nation building.

At the same function, Chief Justice Ram Prasad Shrestha said yoga is the best education in human life. The chief judge also related the yogic practices with panacea of all physical and mental ills.

Meanwhile, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and yoga guru Ram Dev left Kathmandu today to inaugurate Patanjali Yog Peeth slated for Friday at Waling of Syangja district.

Two yoga peeths [schools], one in Kathmandu and the other in Kavre, have already been established.

The organising committee said it has planned to to produce 75,000 yoga teachers from Patanjali Yog Peeth, Dhulukhel in Kavre by the end of 2010, adding to a faculty of some 25, 000 yoga teachers believed to be teaching in Nepal, at present.