The conclusion of the first ever Indo-China International Yoga Festival in India, took place on the holy banks of Mother Ganga in Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh), with Yogis from 31 nations.
See highlights from the first two days, here.
During the festival, Dr. AM Moorthy and Dr. R Elangovan from Tamil Nadu Physical Education Sports University proudly presented Pujya Swamiji with a lifetime achievement award for His contributions in the field of Yoga and selfless service.
There was also a launch of Radhika Khanna’s book on Yoga, entitled ‘Yoga: The Ganges to Wall Street.” During the writing of the book earlier in the year, Radhikaji had come to Parmarth Niketan for support in gathering material, pictures and inspiration for her book which seeks to find the spirituality in everyday life and also includes a special chapter on Yogic food by MasterChef Vikas Khanna. Radhika and Vikas Khanna joined for the launch. All of the Yoga Festival participants were so deeply touched and transformed to be learning yoga, pranayama and meditation in Rishikesh, in the birthplace of yoga, on the banks of the sacred Ganga river. On the final evening, they expressed their wish to also have a Lord Shiva statue in Beijing as there is at Parmarth Niketan.
So, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji gifted them with a Shiva murti to take back to China and install in their yoga centre there. A larger one will also be prepared for them and sent later.
Pujya Swamiji expressed that “This Shiva statue is a bridge, a bridge between India and China, a bridge between countries, cultures and creeds. The Shiva murti is a symbol of the joining of our hearts together in true yoga. It is a symbol of the Power of Peace. That is the power we need today – not power for power but power for peace! India and China, together, joining hands and hearts in a true yoga, or union, of “Power of Peace” can change the whole world!”