Millions celebrate Yoga Day in India

In a mega event on the occasion of World Yoga Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked people to embrace yoga as a way of life, saying that it is not a religious practice, but a science for better mental and physical health. There were similar gatherings in Kalahandi district in Odisha, eastern India, but also in Canada, Australia and even Afghanistan.

Last year, the United Nations declared June 21st International Day of Yoga to coincide with the summer solstice.

Yoga fans across the world have gathered to mark the second International Yoga Day.

Yoga classes were held all day amid the chaos of Midtown.

Indians holds hands as they attempt to create a record for the longest human yoga chain with more than 8000 participants at an event to celebrate International Yoga Day in Ahmadabad, India, Tuesday, June 21, 2016.

Over 190 countries, including 40 Islamic nations, supported the move to have a special day for yoga. “By improving fitness, teaching us how to breathe correctly, and working to diminish stress, yoga can help to cultivate healthier lifestyles”.

Meanwhile, renowned spiritual leader and Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev said that yoga is India’s gift to the world.

There was enthusiastic turnout of yoga among India’s neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Myanmar. Besides it being good for health and one of India’s oldest traditions, yoga has added to Modi’s global image.

He tweeted that there was tremendous response to IYD across Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam and events were also held in Africa, mainly in South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

The event is free and open to the public.