RASHTRIYA YOGOTSAVA – INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY – 2023

Theme – Vasudhaiva Yoga Kutumakam

“Yoga is effective in combating physical, mental and emotional issues – Mayor Honorable Sri Shivakumar”

“Mysuru, known for its splendid palaces and magnificent temples is popularly known as the ‘City of Palaces’ and ‘The Heritage City’. It is equally important for Mysuru to be recognised as the ‘Yoga City’ “, opined the Shri. Shivakumar, the Mayor of Mysore. He spoke at the inauguration of the curtain raiser event of the 9th World Yoga Day organized by The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India and Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi in association with Mahajana Education Society and Sri Vedavyasa Yoga Pratishthana ® at APJ Abdul Kalam Stadium at Mahajana’s First Grade College (A), Jayalakshmipuram in the city today. He said “The main credit for the establishment of yoga in Mysuru goes to the Maharaja of Mysore, Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV. The Maharaja was interested in the promotion of yoga and continually sent Krishnamacharya around the country to give lectures and demonstrations. Later, he was given the wing of a nearby palace, the Jaganmohan Palace, to start the Yogashala, an independent yoga institution. He lauded the contribution of Prime Minister NarendraModi in celebrating the World Yoga Day on the 21st of June. The first citizen of the city encouraged the young minds to practise yoga regularly and went on to share that yoga was the secret of his success, which aids physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. He added that there were plans of offering yoga sessions regularly to all the employees of MCC.

Dr. K Raghavendra Pai, Hon. Secretary, Sri Vedavyasa Yoga Pratishthana said, ” Yoga an Indian tradition gifted to the world, is a powerful tool for inner engineering through which one can explore the metaphysical and achieve spiritual oneness”. He went on to add that a total of 177 nations co-sponsored the resolution of celebrating World Yoga Day on the 21st of June every year, which is the highest number of co-sponsors ever for any UN General Assembly resolution. He also expressed happiness about how Mysuru had become the Yoga hub along with Rishikesh in India. He threw light on Sritattvanidhi, a treatise authored by Krishna Raja Wodeyar III and one of its sections include illustrations of, 122 hatha yoga postures. He lauded the contribution of Mahajana First Grade College and it’s rich legacy which had attributed to the enrichment of yoga.

Later, Mr. Muralidhar Bhagvat, President, Mahajana Education Society in his yogic message said, ” The origin of Yoga can be traced in India to 5,000 years ago. He opined that yoga for harmony and peace, the slogan of first ever International Yoga Day was indeed a good start as yoga is a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle Science, which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body. This year’s theme, ‘Vasudaiva Yoga Kutumbakam’ focuses on one world, the need of the hour. He added that the institution takes pride in working towards the all round development of the students, which is absolutely important. He hoped that everybody makes yoga a part of their daily routine.

On the occasion, an MoU was exchanged between Mahajana Education Society and Vedavyasa Yoga Pratishthana Trust ®. This was followed by a practical demonstration of yogasanas spearheaded by Dr. Pai. Around six hundred volunteers took part in the demonstration. ‘Amrita Yoga’ Medal along with a certificate was distributed to all the registered participants as a token of encouragement. Yoga Exhibition was also unveiled on the occasion by paying floral tributes to Swami Vivekananda. Dr. T. VijayalakshmiMuralidhar, Hon’ble Secretary, Mahajana Education Society inaugurated the exhibition. This was followed by special lectures and interactive sessions on the topic ‘Yoga in Education’. Pujya Swami MahamedhanandajeMaharaj, Yogacharya Dr. P N Ganesh Kumara and Retd. PDG Ranga Krishna delivered talks on Importance of Yoga in student life, Yogic remedies for study challenges and Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita in Study Life respectively.

Dr. T Vijayalakshmi Muralidhar, Hon’ble Secretary, Mahajana Education Society; Prof. P Sarojamma, Administrative Officer, Heads of the sister institutions shared the dais. Dr. B R Jayakumari, Principal, Mahajana First Grade College welcomed the gathering. Dr. H R Thimmegowda, Convenor proposed the vote of thanks. Ms. Geetha and Mr. Sunil, the faculty members were the masters of the ceremony. Manasa and Team presented the Veda Prarthana.

Prof Harish Machaia, CEO Dr Ramesh S.R,the teaching and non-teaching staff members, students of NCC, NSS, sportsvolunteers were present at the event.