Mysuru: The verdant expanse of the Chamundi Hills in the backdrop, and the lush expanse of the grass stretching across nearly 140 acres – it is rather hard to find a more relaxing place to perform yoga than the
Mysore Race Club. The race course is the venue for the International
Yoga Day celebrations, and on Sunday, when the district administration held a rehearsal of the event, nearly 8,000 yoga enthusiasts gathered at the venue. On Thursday, more than 70,000 people are expected to assemble at the race course for the event.
While the race course is spread across 139 acres, the district administration will utilise 71 acres for the event. The officials have divided the area into 70 blocks, with each likely to accommodate around 1,000 individuals. A volunteer and a guide have been assigned to each block, who will instruct the participants. Places will be allotted to participants on a first-come, first-served basis. The authorities have also made arrangements for drinking water, lavatories, besides setting up a medical centre and snacks counter. Besides a mat, the participants need carry nothing to the venue.
Deputy director of the tourism department, Mysuru Janardhan said that, although the city would not be eyeing a record this year, they were still expecting a turnout of more than 70,000. “The deputy director of public instruction, and officials at JSS have assured of 15,000 participants. NCC and NSS too have confirmed participation in large numbers. Deputy commissioner Abhiram G Sankar visited the venue on Wednesday to take stock of the preparations,” Janardhan told TOI.
As many as 10 doctors and as many nurses will be present at the venue to deal with medical emergencies. The officials have also ensured the availability of four ambulances.
Arrangements for more than 150 makeshift toilets have been made at the seven gates to the venue. The district administration has roped in a few NGOs to clean the venue after the event. The seven gates of the race course will be opened at 5am on Thursday. The event will begin at 7am, and is expected to last till 7.45am. Among others, higher education minister GT Devegowda, tourism minister SR Mahesh, minister for small-scale industries CS Puttaraju, minister for health and family welfare S Patil, along with MLAs SA Ramadas, Adagooru H Vishwanath, Tanveer Sait and Mysuru MP Pratap Simha, will be in attendance at the event.
In 2017, more than 55,000 people had assembled at the race course, resulting in Mysuru entering the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest congregation of yoga enthusiasts at a single venue.
