International Yoga Day

Have you even thought of why June 21 was chosen as International Yoga Day?

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United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution declaring June 21 of every year as the International Yoga Day (World Yoga Day). This declaration came after the call by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi for it's adoption during his address to UN General Assembly.

Every year in Northern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice falls on June 21. It is during this time when the day is the longest and the night is shortest. It is this day when earth is at its closest distance from the sun in its orbit.

From the perspective of yoga, the Summer Solstice marks the transition of sun from Uttarayana to Dakshinayana, according to ancient Vedic calendar. According to Vedic books, it was the day when Lord Shiva, first taught Yoga to his disciples. The Knowledge of yoga first descended from Shiva on this day. We can say June 21 as the birthday of yoga. This is the reason why several yogic preachers also had advocated celebrating June 21 as the International Yoga Day.

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