Main Priest Bagesh Ling Inaugurates the Event; Pilgrims, Security Personnel, and Priests Participate in Large Numbers
Rudraprayag –
A grand celebration of International Yoga Day took place at the sacred Kedarnath Dham, one of the twelve revered Jyotirlingas. Nestled in the lap of the high Himalayas, the divine atmosphere of this spiritual shrine resonated with the energy of yoga as participants performed various yogic postures amid deep devotion.
Organized under the aegis of the AYUSH Department, the special yoga session witnessed enthusiastic participation from temple priests, students from Garhwal University, SDRF personnel, Uttarakhand Police, officials and staff of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, and numerous pilgrims from across India and abroad.
The event was formally inaugurated by Kedarnath Temple's head priest, Bagesh Ling, who also actively took part in the yoga session. In his opening address, he emphasized that yoga is not merely a means to physical well-being, but a sacred practice that unites the soul with the divine — especially significant in a holy place like Kedarnath.
The session was led by yoga instructors Sarvesh Tiwari and Arvind Shukla, who guided the participants through various asanas such as Tadasana, Bhujangasana, Vrikshasana, Vajrasana, Anulom-Vilom, and Pranayama. They explained the benefits of each posture in simple terms, helping participants connect with the true essence of yoga.
Dr. Suprabha Das and Dr. Pramod Shukla from the AYUSH Department also attended and expressed that the enthusiasm for yoga among both pilgrims and locals, despite the region’s challenging terrain, was deeply inspiring.
As hundreds joined in synchrony to perform yoga in the serene surroundings of Kedarnath, the event became a living embodiment of the union between spirituality and health.