Lumbini hosts Yoga demonstration on the eve of International Day of Yoga

KATHMANDU: The Embassy of India in Nepal, in association with the Lumbini Development Trust organized a large-scale Yoga demonstration at Lumbini – the birthplace of Lord Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – on Thursday.

Lumbini Chief Minister Jokh Bahadur Mahara, who was the Chief Guest for the event, thanked the Embassy of India for organizing this significant event at the birthplace of Lord Buddha and for strengthening cultural ties between Nepal and India, according to a press release issued by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.

“The International Day of Yoga will help to generate greater awareness about Yoga leading to a more healthy and balanced society,” he added.

International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on June 21. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Yoga for Self and Society’.

Senior officials of the Lumbini Development Trust and more than 900 Yoga enthusiasts from the region participated in the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of India to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, said Yoga has become a global phenomenon, particularly since the United Nations designated 21 June as the International Day of Yoga in 2014 based on a proposal by India. “The sacred land of Lumbini, a symbol of peace and harmony, provides a perfect setting to celebrate the timeless practice of Yoga,” he said, adding that the Embassy of India will collaborate every year with the Lumbini Development Trust to celebrate the International Day of Yoga in Lumbini.

The event was part of a series of events being conducted by the Embassy of India to celebrate the International Day of Yoga across various cities in Nepal, according to the release.

The Embassy of India, in association with the Pokhara Metropolitan City, is organizing a mega Yoga demonstration at the Pokhara Stadium on Friday.