Over 50,000 perform asanas in Mysuru

Southern Indian city of Mysuru has celebrated International Yoga Day on Thursday with more than 50,000 people taking part by performing asanas for an hour.  “Mysuru, also known as yoga capital of the country, has expected a record number of over 80,000 participants but the number has to be still ascertained,” an official said. The participants performed 19 Asanas in the mass demonstration of the skills joining the global yoga enthusiasts.  The authorities hope that the gathering would enter the Guinness book of world record.

The Yoga celebration was performed at the  sprawling Mysuru Race Club (MRC) on the foothills of Chamundi a land mark in the city.

According to HD Janardhan, Deputy Director of Tourism  the participation has crossed last year’s  figure of 55,506.  He said  “We don’t have the exact number of people who participated in International Yoga Day celebrations, but we might have crossed last year’s figure of 55,506. Though, we planned to rope in 80,000 people to create a record, I don’t think we had that many.”

Mysuru King Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Karnataka tourism minister SA Ra Mahesh and others performed yoga along with the large participation of the Mysorians. Many foreigners who are learning Yoga also took part in the event.

Mysuru entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest yoga demonstration or lesson at a single venue during last year’s yoga day at the Mysuru Race Course ground. As many as 55,506 people performed yoga to achieve the record. The Mysuru district administration, with the support from Department of Tourism and AYUSH, and others, were hoping to attract one-lakh participants since over 70,000 people had already registered for the event.

Mysuru with many Yoga schools attract large number of tourists and Yoga learners. Mysuru is known very much  across the world for its traditional Yoga.