Crowds gathered in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the Third International Day of Yoga 2017.
Organised by The High Commission of India in London in association with India Tourism Office UK the aim was to bring Londoners together for a mass celebration of yoga.
The event took place yesterday ahead of the International Day of Yoga which is celebrated today.
Supported by the Mayor of London and the Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, the event was inaugurated by His Excellency Mr Y. K. Sinha, the High Commissioner of India to the UK.
High Commissioner Mr Y. K. Sinha greeted the attendees on the occasion that celebrates the ancient tradition of Yoga.
He recommended the practice of yoga 'for a better, healthier and happier lifestyle not only for an individual or a particular community, but also the entire world'.
The High Commissioner thanked the Yoga practitioners in the UK for joining hands in this global movement initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and now celebrated all over the globe.
India’s new Assistant Director of Tourism for the UK, Mr Gangadhar, also attended the event.
Mr Gangadhar said, “The health benefits of yoga are becoming more widely recognised across the UK and so yoga is a health and wellbeing tool that India has bestowed to the world.
"The International Day of Yoga was launched by the Government of India three years ago, and each year the size of events here in the UK get bigger and bigger. Indeed, this year thousands of people came to the Trafalgar Square event alone.”
Mr Gangadhar added: “Of course, one of the most unforgettable places to practice yoga is the home of yoga itself – India, and India looks forward to welcoming many more yoga visitors to Incredible India in the years ahead, who will not only appreciate improved wellbeing, but fall in love with India’s breath-taking nature, exquisite food and warm hospitality of the incredible people of India.”
The event saw cultural performances by award-winning classical dancer Arunima Kumar, Artistic Director of the Arunima Kumar Dance Company, who choreographed a bespoke routine titled 'Nirvana' and routines from Akademi South Asian Dance UK, as well as a finale with actress and mindfulness coach Raageshwari.
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