By: Florina Soren

“Yoga is the tour of the self, through the self, to the self,” says Bhagavad Gita. It was early March, and I was invited by a boutique property to cover the International Yoga Seasonal event held in Rishikesh. It was the first time that I was visiting Rishikesh and was quite clueless about what the atmosphere would be there. Yoga in the meantime had become a world phenomenon, and though I was aware of the immense popularity of the seasonal event, I definitely was not prepared for what I saw in Rishikesh. The week-long International Yoga Seasonal event held in the month of March every year is attended by yoga enthusiasts from across the globe. As there were Indians of all age groups coming in from across the country, there were likewise tourists from every other part of the world.

As Parmarth Niketan Ashram on the banks of the holy Ganga river was where the main seasonal event was being held, every hotel and ashram had their own yoga and meditation programme led by experts and guests joined in for long yoga sessions, around the day, for all seven days. The atmosphere of the whole town was so solemn and charged with the vibrancy of meditation and yoga. The hotel I was staying at had a daily schedule that included yoga sessions, meditation classes, different therapies and satsang sessions. I, along with other guests started the day at the banks of the hotel’s private Ganga ghat. The sight of the Ganga flowing in full force as the sun rises spreading its crimson hue is magical. Remembering the divine forces first thing in the morning gives energy to start my day on a positive note. It was a very assuring feeling. The food we eat is an integral part of our well-being, so the breakfast served consisted of a healthy spread of fruits, fresh juice, and mostly vegetarian fare. A slight gaze around the breakfast area, and for the first time it struck me that it was a global local population that was sitting at the bank of the holy Ganga. A sense of pride filled my heart to know how Yoga has already become a way of life for many residents across continents. Everyone here was so courteous and greeted each other with a smile. The day continued as I hopped from one session to another with lunch thrown in. The evening was kept free to witness the most remarkable sight of Ganga aarti. As the hotel did aarti at its private ghat, most of us went to the nearby Triveni Ghat to watch the memorable Ganga aarti. The sight of hundreds of diyas (oil lamps) lit together is completely enthralling. The divine chanting of slokas filled the air, and as the men in orange swayed the lamps in circular motions, it was pure magic. Residents set small diya on leaf plates afloat with prayer in their hearts and a strong belief that the holy Ganga will never disappoint them.