Yoga is an ancient Indian way of life. In which the work of bringing body, mind and soul together (Yoga) is done. Through yoga, the body, mind, and mind can be completely healthy. Being healthy, you feel healthy yourself. Varanasi has been a great center of Indian philosophy, spiritualism, Ayurveda, Yoga and mysticism. Yoga is a way of balancing and harmonizing the body, mind and emotions. Yoga is done through the practice of asana (the physical exercise), pranayama (the breathing technique) and mudra. All these practices purify the body, mind and energy system to prepare the ground for higher practice of meditation and for the ultimate experience of cosmic consciousness. The popularity of Yoga has no parallel amongst westerners till now. Keeping in view, the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh organizes Yoga week in the holy city of Varanasi every year. These yoga weeks provide the participants opportunity to learn, discuss, absorb and practice Yoga amidst cultural and natural heritage of UP. The festival features discourses on Yoga by numerous past and present exponents. Tailor-made programs are also available for visitors willing to pay.
International Yoga Festival in Varanasi
International Yoga Day is celebrated on 21st June every year on the global level. India Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has contributed immensely to commemorating this day all over the world because he first started this celebration on June 21, 2015. Yoga Day in India is organized by AYUSH Ministry. On the 21st of June, the sun rises and it is delayed. It is believed that the sun's fast is the most effective on this day, and the positive energy of nature is active. On June 21, there is a legend behind celebrating Yoga Day. According to legends, the first expansion of yoga was done by Shiva among his seven disciples. It is said that these Satya sages were initiated with Yoga on the first full moon day after the summer solstice, which also celebrate as the incarnation of Shiva. It is also known as Dakshinayan.
