International Yoga Festival 2024: The Yoga festival in Rishikesh began in the year 2000 and has since gained worldwide fame. People from all over the world come to Rishikesh to enjoy and participate in the festival. Rishikesh gets fully crowded from the last week of February until the 15th of March. Additionally, some prominent celebrities also perform at the festival.
International Yoga Festival 2024
Come and join us at Parmarth Niketan Ashram from March 8-14, 2024 for the renowned International Yoga Festival. Experience the spiritual ambience of the holy Ganges river and the majestic Himalayas, where yoga originated. Immerse yourself in the divine presence of revered saints and learn from esteemed yoga teachers from around the world, representing various lineages. Enjoy ecstatic kirtan, witness the divine Ganga Aarti, and partake in many other uplifting activities. The International Yoga Festival brings together experts from various backgrounds and nations in a unique and awe-inspiring setting.
International Yoga Festival 2024 Date and Vanue
Date: 8th – 14th Mar, 2024
Vanue- Rishikesh
Rishikesh, the birthplace of Yoga, commemorates World Yoga Week in a magnificent manner. Situated alongside the sacred Ganga river, this city is renowned for its tranquil ambience and multitude of temples, offering serenity to all who venture here. The International Yoga Festival serves as the perfect culmination for those seeking harmony between their mind, body, and soul. Spanning over a week, this revitalizing event takes place across numerous ashrams in Rishikesh. Embrace the rejuvenating spirit of this festival by choosing the ashram that resonates with your inner calling.
The inception of the International Yoga Festival took place in 1999 in Rishikesh under the auspices of Uttar Pradesh Tourism, as Rishikesh was still a part of Uttar Pradesh at that time. The festival initially attracted only a small number of participants. In 1999, the Uttar Pradesh Government approached Parmarth Niketan Ashram to host the International Yoga Festival. While participants were free to stay in any hotel in Rishikesh, the Yoga classes and Satsang programs were organized at Parmarth Niketan Ashram. The teachings and meditations were inspired by Pujya Shri Swami Veda Bharati ji, while Yogacharya Shri Bharat Bhushan Ji and his team led the Yoga Asanas.
Keypoints of International Yoga Festival, 2024 at Rishikesh
Daily Yoga classes: The International Yoga festival offers 70 hours of yoga classes spread across daily sessions. The classes commence at 4:00 AM, where participants are taught various forms of Yoga, yoga poses, Yoga anatomy, and meditation techniques.
Divine Satsang: Numerous spiritual speakers, respected saints, yogacharyas, and gurus share sacred wisdom to transform the lives of those involved. The participants acquire the ability to motivate and elevate themselves, leading to a life filled with positivity and good health.
Ganga Aarti: Each evening, following sundown, the attendees gather for the Ganga aarti along the banks of the river Ganga. The sacred ceremony elevates their souls as they join in the ancient chants to receive blessings from Mother Ganga.
Cultural Performances: The Yoga festival in Rishikesh, spanning a week, brings together individuals with a shared goal of achieving inner peace and well-being. Each evening following the Ganga aarti, attendees can enjoy a variety of cultural performances designed to help clear the mind through visual and auditory artistic experiences.
Origin and History of International Yoga Festival Rishikesh
The International Yoga festival first gained popularity thanks to Uttar Pradesh Tourism during Rishikesh’s time as part of Uttar Pradesh. However, it is now promoted by the state tourism department and Uttrakhand Tourism Development Board in Rishikesh. Originally, the festival took place at Hotel Ganga Kinare during the first week of February and continued at the same venue and time for many years. In 1999, Uttar Pradesh Tourism approached Parmarth Niketan ashram in Rishikesh to host the festival. The ashram organized meditation and yoga classes, along with other programs, while the participants stayed at various hotels and ashrams. Pujya Shri Swami Veda Bharat Ji led the early meditation classes, and Yogacharya Shari Bharat Bhushan Ji conducted the yoga asanas session.
The Yoga festival Rishikesh has gained tremendous popularity since it started, and this popularity continues to grow each year. The Rishikesh yoga festival had the highest number of participants in 2010. The Maha Kumbh Mela, which coincides with the Yoga festival Rishikesh, is credited for attracting a significant number of participants. As the benefits of Yoga are spreading worldwide, the popularity of the Rishikesh Yoga festival is also increasing.
The first International Yoga Festival was overseen by officers from the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, including Shri Ravindra Singh (Director General Tourism), Shri B.M. Vohra (Commissioner Garhwal), and Shri R.C. Pandey (Assistant Director Tourism).
The Uttar Pradesh government received positive feedback from participants in the previous year, who appreciated the ashram environment in 1999. In the year 2000, Uttar Pradesh Tourism introduced a special package called the Ashram International Yoga Festival Package. This package provided accommodation along with opportunities to participate in Yoga sessions, Satsang, and Meditation. From then on, all participants stayed at the ashram instead of hotels, recognizing the ashram environment as the ideal setting for the yoga festival.
In 2000, Dr. Karan Singh ji graced the festival as the Chief Guest. In the same year, Uttar Pradesh state was divided into two states, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, with Rishikesh falling under Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand Tourism also organized the International Yoga Festival in 2001 in collaboration with Parmarth Niketan.
The number of participants increased in the 2002 International Yoga Festival, continuing the leadership of the previous year. However, according to participants, 2003 was considered the best year for the International Yoga Festival, surpassing the previous year. In 2003, Parmarth Niketan expanded the classes to accommodate the growing number of participants. In 2004, the Ardh Kumbh Mela took place in Haridwar, creating an energetic and divine atmosphere. More than 150 participants attended the festival that year.