International Yoga Day: Delhiites fight rains to perform asanas

Brimming with excitement and energy, Delhiites gathered in large numbers at various parks and public squares across the city on Wednesday to mark the third International Day of Yoga, even as pre-dawn showers played a bit of a spoilsport.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the country-wide celebrations in Lucknow, where an estimated 55,000 enthusiasts, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, stretched an extra muscle in various yogic postures.

In Delhi, the third edition of the celebrations played out at several venues—from open plazas in central Delhi to old municipal parks and sprawling gardens in other parts of the city. 

Union ministers M Venkaiah Naidu and Vijay Goel, Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also took part in the celebrations. NDA presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind and senior BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi also joined in. 

The streets of Connaught Place’s Inner Circle, where vehicular movement has been restricted, wore a festive look as old and young, dressed in colourful attire, pulled and stretched to perform various asanas. 

Mats were also rolled out at the six radial roads of the famed marketplace, Lodhi Garden, Nehru Park, Talkatora Garden and Children’s Park at India Gate, under the aegis of the New Delhi Municipal Council.