Lakhs of people perform yoga 'asanas' in Pb, Hry to mark International Yoga Day

A large number of people Friday participated in the fifth International Yoga Day events which were organised at various places in Punjab and Haryana.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar described yoga as an ancient practice and said Yoga Day functions have been organised simultaneously at 80 places in the state in which about five lakh people participated.

Khattar was speaking at a state-level Yoga Day function held in Rohtak in which Union Minister Amit Shah was the chief guest.

He said the state government has constituted a Yoga Council so that the people from all walks of life adopt yoga in their life and ensure their physical, mental and spiritual development.

He said a decision has also been taken to construct Yog or Vyamshalas in villages of the state.

After the event was over in Rohtak, a few participants jostled with each other for yoga mats.

Some of them were seen carrying mats which were provided to them on the occasion for performing yoga 'asanas'. They were seen arguing with volunteers who asked them not to take along these mats.

Another group of participants could be seen pulling out packed mats of the boxes kept at the venue.

A Yoga Day function was also held in Haryana Raj Bhavan at Chandigarh.

Haryana Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya said, "Yoga should be included in our daily routine only then we and our country will be healthy. Yoga is the art of living life, which leads to both mental and physical well-being."