International Yoga Day was celebrated at Thoranamalai yesterday, with students performing various yoga exercises to create awareness about the benefits of yoga.
The observance was held as part of the annual International Yoga Day celebrations conducted on June 21 following the initiative launched by Narendra Modi.
As it was a Sunday, the day's events began with the customary Vriksha Pooja. Special rituals and abhishekam were performed for the sacred Arasu (Peepal) and Neem trees located behind the Vallaba Vinayagar Shrine at the foothills. This was followed by special prayers at the Kannimar Amman Temple and the nearby spring.
Special worship was also conducted for the 27 Nakshatra trees, where devotees offered flowers and prayers to the plants associated with their birth stars.
Later, a special worship ceremony for Surya Bhagavan was conducted with the offering of Pongal. As the day coincided with both Sunday and Saptami Tithi, it was observed as Bhanu Saptami. Since it also fell during the waxing phase of the moon, it is traditionally referred to as Kalyana Saptami. According to local belief, worshipping the Sun God on this auspicious day is said to bring blessings, including success in marriage and spiritual merit. A large number of devotees participated in the ceremony.
Following the religious observances, International Yoga Day celebrations were held. Under the leadership of Karate Master Velmurugan, students demonstrated various yoga postures and techniques. He also explained the health benefits of yoga and created awareness about its role in maintaining physical and mental well-being.
At the conclusion of the programme, refreshments and prasadam were distributed to all devotees and participants.
The arrangements for the event were made by A. Senbhagaraman, hereditary trustee of Thoranamalai.