- Tuesday, March 04, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
Teachers, presenters and participants from all over the world started arriving at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand to take part in the International Yoga Festival (IYF), one of the most highly anticipated yoga festivals which is taking place after a hiatus of three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The event will be officially inaugurated on Wednesday (8).
His Holiness (HH) Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, president of Parmarth Niketan, and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswatiji, director of the IYF, welcomed the participants and led them in a sacred ‘Swaha’ fire ceremony — a sacred Holi meditation on the vanquishing of darkness by light with prayers.
After the ‘Holika Dahan’ ceremony concluded, world-renowned percussionist Drums Sivamani performed as the participants danced around the sacred fire. A special ‘Holika Dahan’ cultural programme was presented by the Rishikumars (young students) of Parmarth Gurukul. A Ganga Aarti was also held.
On Wednesday, more than 1,100 participants from nearly 90 nations of the world will be officially welcomed at the 35th annual IYF which will be inaugurated by retired lieutenant general Gurmit Singh, the governor of Uttarakhand.
The International Yoga Festival (IYF) is organised by Parmarth Niketan with the support of Incredible India under the country’s ministry of tourism and in association with the ministry of culture and ministry of AYUSH. The event has earned an international reputation over the years and draws yoga teachers and seekers from all corners of the globe.
The festival at Parmath Niketan is taking place at a time when India holds the presidency of the G20 group of nations and recognising the key opportunities that come through aligning global leaders and the world fraternity with the theme of India’s G20 presidency: ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘One Earth. One Family. One Future,’ it will highlight India’s pro-planet and pro-people culture.
The event will also inspire, educate and prepare participants to share these messages with the world more effectively.
While the festival has been covered by prestigious publications such as Time Magazine, the New York Times, CNN, among others, it has also seen involvement of some of the country’s most revered names in the world of spirituality and politics.
In 2017, for example, prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the event via a video-conferencing while the next year, former vice president Venkaiah Naidu flagged it off in person. This year, a number of top ministers from the state and federal governments, diplomats and dignitaries are expected to join the event which will continue till March 14.
During the festival, which is inspired by HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, participants will have opportunities to attend more than 170 classes, workshops, lectures, discourses and interactive sessions on a diverse range of topics including yoga asanas (such as Kundalini, Power Vinyasa, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Hatha and so many more), pranayama, sound healing, ayurveda, meditation, ancient Indian philosophy and Vedanta, classical Indian dance and musical instruction.
Besides, there will also be music and dance programmes on each evening of the festival offering the flavour of India’s culture and heritage.
Speaking about the event, HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji said, “This year, we are so glad to be celebrating India’s presidency for G20 and the mantra, the vision and the culture of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and ‘One Earth. One Family. One Future’ is only possible with Yoga.
“Therefore Yoga is key and integral to our ability to lead the way towards sustainable living and the sustainable development goals. Mission Life can be fulfilled with a yogic lifestyle and with this Festival we illustrate India’s ability to connect people from all walks of life through and with Yoga.”
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji said, “In this sacred land, where the saints, sages and rishis have come for thousands of years, the participants of International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan receive the highest excellence in teachings. But along with teachings from yoga experts from across the world, the participants also receive the divine touch and transformation of Mother Ganga and the Himalayas, and this energy of awakening in the Birthplace of Yoga. It is that confluence of teachings, touch and transformation that is so special and draws people here from every corner of the globe.”
Those interested to join can do so by registering at https://internationalyogafestival.org/register/
