my uttarakhand news Bureau
Rishikesh, 15 Mar: The concluding day of the International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan, held under the leadership of Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, in partnership with the Ministry of AYUSH and Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, brought together participants from across the globe for a meaningful conclusion to this week-long global celebration of yoga, spirituality and conscious living.
After days of transformative practices, wisdom teachings and sacred celebrations, participants gathered once again on the holy banks of Maa Ganga to celebrate yoga not only as a practice but as a way of life rooted in love, service and unity.
The final day began with a special Collective Yoga Day Protocol as participants gathered together on the holy banks of River Ganga, at the feet of Lord Shiva on the sacred ghat of the Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh to practice yoga in unity. Marking the 98th day in the 100 day International Day of Yoga countdown, the gathering encouraged participants to take a pledge to celebrate and incorporate yoga into everyday life, while also recognising the importance of meditation and the observance of International Day of Meditation on 21 December. The shared practice reflected yoga’s universal message of harmony, balance and interconnectedness, bringing together practitioners from around the world in a powerful experience of breath, movement and awareness. The practice was led by Yogacharya Ganga Nandini of Parmarth Niketan and joined by Fernando Xavier Bucheli Vargas, Ambassador of Ecuador; Dharamkumar Seeraj, High Commissioner of Guyana; Mikhail Kasko, Ambassador of Belarus; Ganbold Dambajav, Ambassador of Mongolia as well as many other senior diplomats, IYF teachers Stewart Gilchrist, Dasa Das, Stine, and many other teachers as well as participants.
Participants were also led in a heartfelt pledge by Ganga Nandini to become instruments of peace, compassion and selfless service in the world, carrying the spirit of yoga beyond the mat into their homes and communities.
The collective commitment flowed seamlessly into the final concluding World Peace Yagya ceremony led by Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati.
At the heart of the final day was the Wisdom Talks Spiritual Plenary titled “The Yoga of Love: Opening the Heart as a Path of Awakening”.
The speakers shared profound insights into how love, compassion and devotion form the deepest essence of yoga and spiritual life. They emphasised that opening the heart through awareness, surrender and service allows individuals to move beyond separation and experience the deeper unity of all beings. The discussion highlighted that yoga is not merely a physical discipline but a transformative path toward awakening the heart and living a life guided by compassion, connection and purpose.
Earlier, as the sun rose over the Himalayas, participants gathered for several yoga classes, filling the morning air with dedication. Sianna Sherman an international yoga teacher, storyteller, speaker, and guide for transformative experiences through yoga, alchemy and collective ritual, guided Healing Power of Mudra – Mantra, Tantra & Breath Alchemy. Stewart Gilchrist, owner of East London School of Yoga, led Yogāsana and Satsang. Participants also deepened their understanding of yoga through sessions including Yoga Therapy with Durgesh Amoli, SANNIDHI Ashtanga Yoga Sadhana with Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani and Anandhi Mary Cecil, and Elemental Meditation with Dr Christopher Key Chapple. Dr Radhika Nagrath guided Pranayama, Mudras and Relaxation, offering practices to cultivate inner balance and wellbeing, while Sanj Hall and Friends shared Sonic Homeostasis: How to Use Sound for Self-Care for Balance in Daily Life. The morning also included Mantra Meditation (Japa) and Gentle Morning Kirtan with Stine Dulong and Friends, creating a deeply devotional start to the final day of the festival.
Participants then joined the Parmarth Niketan Sacred Morning Fire Ceremony (Yagna/Havan) offering prayers for peace, healing and harmony for the entire world.
In the afternoon, participants continued their journey through a rich range of experiential workshops and teachings. Dr Yogrishi Vishvketu guided Pranayama for Building Self-Confidence. HS Arun offered Surrender to the Sublime. They also explored Flow with Intention – Vinyasa Exploration with Dasa Das, while Dr Sanjay Manchanda shared insights in The Luminous Mind: Bridging Ancient Meditation with Modern Infrared Light Science. Ganga Nandini guided Ganga Yoga.
Later sessions continued to explore themes of devotion, healing and spiritual growth. Jai Hari Singh offered Unconditional Love as the Path to Full Liberation, while Aadhya guided a deeply restorative Yoga Nidra practice. Gayatri Yogacharya shared insights in The Path of Sadhana, emphasising the role of dedicated spiritual practice in personal transformation. Dr Krushna Pankaj Naram offered teachings in Secret of the Seasons: How to Prevent Diseases Safe and Side Effect-Free, sharing wisdom from ancient healing traditions, while Gurnimit Singh guided Throat Chakra – Kriya for Nervous System Regulation. James Cassidy and Friends shared Reservoir of Pleasure – Connecting with Krishna, exploring devotion through music and movement.
Participants also experienced deep relaxation and integration through Sound Bath: Sounds and Music for Integration and Peace with Stine Dulong and Friends, as well as Finding Yourself Through Your Voice with Sudhanshu Sharma.
As the final evening of the International Yoga Festival arrived, participants gathered once more along the sacred banks of the Ganga for the Ganga Yagna/Havan, followed by the world-renowned Parmarth Niketan Ganga Aarti, led by Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati.
With lamps raised toward the sacred river and devotional chants filling the Himalayan air, the gathering offered prayers for peace, harmony and wellbeing for the entire world.
The evening concluded with a joyful and heart-opening celebration through the Cacao Ceremony, Elemental Dance and Sacred Sounds with Sandra Barnes, a joyful free spirited yogini from Argentina and Friends, bringing the International Yoga Festival to a vibrant and uplifting close along the sacred banks of Maa Ganga.
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