The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated annually since 21st June 2015, following its inception in the United Nations
General Assembly in 2014. Yoga is a physical, mental & spiritual
practice which originated in India, The Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi in his UN address in 2014, had suggested the
date of 21st June to celebrate international day of yoga.
He stated:-
Yoga is an
invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and
body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man
& nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about
exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the
nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help in well-being.
Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.
— Narendra Modi
Following this initial proposal, the UN adopted the draft resolution, entitled Day of Yoga, on 2014. The consultations were convened by the delegation of India. In 2015 Reserve Bank of India issued a 10 rupees commemorative coin to mark the International Day of Yoga. In April 2017, UN Postal Administration (UNPA) issued 10 stamps on Asanas on a single sheet to mark International Day of Yoga.
The
first International Day of Yoga was observed around the world on 21 June 2015.
The Ministry of AYUSH made the necessary arrangements in India. 35,985 people,
including Prime Minister Modi and dignitaries from 84 nations, performed 21 Asanas (yoga postures) for 35 minutes at Rajpath in New Delhi, becoming the largest yoga class ever held,
and with the largest number of participating nations (84 nations).Since
then it is celebrated every year.
As per the scripture Bhagwan Shiva is the father of Yoga .The reference of Yoga is found in Rigveda and Upnishads. Yoga was First mentioned in the Rigveda it is only in three of them : 1.18.7, 1.30.7, 10.114. In India Rishikesh is the place which is known as birthplace of Yoga, it is also considered as Yoga capital of world. In India there was a great scholar namely Patanjali who has been written a book namely Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, which is collection of Sanskrit Sutras on theory and practice of Yoga. The Yoga Sutra was compiled between 500 BCE and 400 CE. The theme of International Day of Yoga of this year is "Yoga for wellness', a motto aligned to the current pre-occupations.
