Published on : Friday, June 8, 2018
Every year, June 21 is observed as International Day of Yoga.
This special event witnessed yoga practitioners coming early morning at 6.00 am to perform Surya Namaskar and other yoga asanas in front of the iconic British cultural icon and World Heritage Site – Stonehenge.
A special location close to the Stone Circle made this Yoga session a truly memorable experience. Stonehenge is one of the wonders of the world and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe.
India’s Deputy High Commissioner to the UK, Ambassador Mr. Dinesh Patnaik, said that Yoga is one of the greatest cultural exports from India to the world. The ancient art of Yoga enhances and enriches the quality of body, mind and soul. To be able to perform Yoga at such a historic place, makes one feel proud, he went on to assert.
Mr. Mukherjee, Assistant Director India Tourism London was excited at the idea of performing Yoga early morning at Stonehenge.
He commented saying that they are all aware of the benefits of performing yoga. However performing Yoga early morning is a great way to kick-start a day and leaves one with a feeling of freshness and energize the body for rest of the day.
He added that they have been increasingly witnessing a trend where UK tourists are now travelling to India for wellness and health reasons that include attending Yoga classes and meditation.
Jennifer Davies, English Heritage Head of Historic Properties for Stonehenge said that English Heritage is delighted to welcome India Tourism and the High Commission of India to Stonehenge to practise yoga. There is an idea that in prehistoric times Stonehenge was a place of healing and pilgrimage, and so it seems a fitting to use the image of the ancient, iconic stones to celebrate yoga.