IYF 2018 Concludes

International Yoga Festival Concludes with More Than 2000 Participants From 97 Countries Around the World

RISHIKESH- The world-renowned, 29th annual International Yoga Festival concluded today, having been attended by more than 2000 people, who came from 96 countries across the world to take part in inspiring lectures and courses by over 80 revered saints, yogacharyas, presenters and experts who taught nearly 200 offerings throughout the week.

After the last yoga sessions ended, the Closing Ceremony of the International Yoga Festival took place on Parmarth Niketan’s ghat on the banks of the River Ganga. The concluding ceremony was led by Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, President of Parmarth Niketan ashram, and graced by Pujya Swami Ramdevji, Pujya Prem Babaji, Director of The Yoga Institute Smt. Hansa Yogendraji, Director of The Art of Living’s women and child welfare programmes and sister of Pujya Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Smt. Banumathi Narsimhan, renowned Sufi singer Kailash Kher, and all of the divine yogacharyas of the IYF.

During the ceremony, The World Book of Records, London (UK) presented Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, Director of International Yoga Festival, with the official certificate for the World Record for Biggest International Yoga Festival for hosting a record number of hours of Yoga classes from world-class Yoga teachers practicing multiple styles of Yoga, including Kundalini Yoga, Power Vinyasa Yoga, Iyengar Yoga and Kriya Yoga. International Yoga Festival 2018 truly united yogis of every culture, colour and creed together in a one-world yogic family, expanding global consciousness, and bringing healing to the planet.

The International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan will be listed in the official World Record book and Pujya Swamiji and Sadhvi Bhagawatiji were congratulated by the officials from India and the United Kingdom – Shri Virendra Sharma (Member of Parliament, England), Dr. Diwakar Sukul (Chairman, World Book of Records, London), and other international dignitaries.

Sadhvi Bhagawatiji’s new book entitled “Satsang: In the Presence of Truth” and a new translation into Chinese of Pujya Swamiji’s book “Peace” by yogacharya Mohan Bhandari were officially launched and blessed by the present dignitaries. The Concluding Ceremony was followed by Divine Ganga Aarti.

The evening concluded with a special, memorable Sufi music concert on the banks of the Ganga by the world-renowned Sufi singer Kailash Kher. Kailash Kher, who is now known throughout the world for his soulful voice and inspiring songs, is a former Parmarth Niketan Rishikumar (student).

Said HH Swami Ramdevji, “Through yoga, we can achieve anything. Through yoga we can achieve the Divine. All of you here are ambassadors of yoga…and nothing that a yogi does should be impure, we should live a life of purity and truth through yoga. You are not just a representative of yourself, but you are representatives of yoga around the world.”

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