On June 2015, 21 World will celebrate its first United Nations declared “International Yoga Day” (IYD). It has been a continuous effort of current Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and finally United Nation finally declared 21 June 2015 as IYD on December 2014, 11. As an achievement, Indian Government is planning to organize IYD on a massive scale in India and Overseas. Many Indian and people from Indian Origin will come together in various cities around the world to show their respect to this centuries old form of meditation.
Out of many suggestions, Narendra Modi chose and promoted June 21 as right date for IYD, which was accepted by UN. June 21 is actually Summer Solstice in the northern hemisphere. Cosmologically, this is the day when earth is most inclined towards the sun and therefore it’s the longest day of the year in northern hemisphere. Due to this significance many cultures around the world has special significance for this day.
From the angle of Yoga in Hindu Tradition, the Summer Solstice marks the transition of days to Dakshinayana. According to Hindu Cosmology, Dakshinayana is the 6 month period between Summer solstice and Winter solstice (December 21), when the sun apparently travels towards the south on the celestial sphere. In Hindu Tradition, the first full moon after Summer Solstice is celebrated as Guru Poornima and it is believed that first show of Yoga by Lord Shiva was done on this day and Yoga spread thereafter. Along with this belief, Hindu Spiritual People also believes that Dakshinayana is the time when natural support for spiritual practices is available.
Supporting this oldest form meditation More than 177 countries supported the resolution and it became highest sponsored passed resolution in UN. To support and to celebrate IYD, more than 175 countries will be sponsoring this day in their countries.
Siddhant Nakra.
