The theme for the event was Surya Namaskar for Vitality\

Makar Sakranti, also known as Uttarayan, is a Hindu festival celebrated in India on January 14 every year. This year to mark the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India in collaboration with Indian Yoga Association (IYA), FIT India, National Yogasana Sports Federation, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, Yoga Certification Board organised a worldwide Surya Namaskar demonstration program for nearly 75 lakh people on January 14, 2022. This initiative was introduced by the Ministry of AYUSH under the leadership and guidance of Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event was telecasted LIVE on DD National.

On Makar Sakranti, Sun God is worshipped to mark its transition into Capricorn. To celebrate, Surya Namaskar was performed around the world to show gratitude for each of its beams, which sustain all living beings.

Minister of AYUSH, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, remarked that the Surya Namaskar demonstration on Makar Sankranti is more pertinent amid the present revival of COVID-19.
Surya Namaskar has been scientifically and medically proved to improve immunity and enhance vitality, all of which are essential for health during the ongoing pandemic. Sun exposure provides Vitamin D to the human body, which is widely advised in all medical fields across the world.

Secretary AYUSH Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha in his inaugural address said, “The theme for the event is Surya Namaskar for Vitality. We have all gathered here to celebrate Makar Sakranti. He welcomed AYUSH Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal and Minister of State for AYUSH Dr. Munjapara Mahendrabhai and others who joined the event. Following the COVID-19 protocols, the event is being organised online.

“The aim of this event is sensitise people about the benefits of Yoga. We also aim to inform people about how they can keep themselves safe in this pandemic. Thereafter, he welcomed all the Yoga Gurus.”

Minister of State for AYUSH Dr. Munjapara Mahendrabhai during his address added, “In Indian tradition, nature is worshipped as God and the source of power. Sun is considered as the primal cause and natural phenomenon. It has been observed that Surya Namaskar if followed regularly can induce peace, vitality and harmony. It revitalises the mind and body.

The event was then inaugurated by AYUSH Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal who explained in detail about the benefits of Surya Namaskar. “When performed on a regular basis, the Surya Namaskar improves physical vitality and immunity, and helps in maintaining mental balance in a fast-changing world.

“The Ministry of AYUSH has decided to utilise this occasion to reach out to humanity with a special and topical message of rejuvenation through the Surya Namaskar — the set of yoga asanas used to “salute” the sun.

“The sun will rise a little to the north on Makar Sankranti, January 14, bringing along many messages of cultural, spiritual and agricultural significance for the country. The word Sankranti signifies transitional movement, the movement for betterment within and without, transitions on a cosmic level and in the zodiac signs.

“The Ministry of AYUSH has decided to utilise this occasion to reach out to humanity with a special and topical message of rejuvenation through the Surya Namaskar — the set of yoga asanas used to “salute” the sun.

“Building upon the ‘whole of government’ approach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Surya Namaskar demonstration programme is being launched in line with the tribute to 75 years of India’s independence, Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. The AYUSH ministry has not only engaged other ministries and state governments but has involved all major stakeholders in the global yoga fraternity in this mass demonstration programme.

“I am sure that this Makar Sankranti will herald the beginning of a novel resolve from the global community in making natural resources of energy, like the sun and the Surya Namaskar, our best and most dependable friends. This will help our planet in more ways than one.”

This was followed by people around the globe practicing Surya Namaskar under Shri Ishwar Basavaraddi’s, Director of Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga and Member, Governing Council, IYA guidance. He said, “Sun is the basis of life. On the occasion of Makar Sakranti, Sun changes its position to Uttarayan which is considered very auspicious and is celebrated all over India. In Yoga, with Surya Namaskar we all tend to pray to Sun for its energy.”

In his address Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, The Art of Living and Chairman, IYA encouraged all to participate and said, “On Makar Sakranti, January 14, people has been from ages praying to Sun. This time, we all have come together for this wonderful initiative of performing Surya Namaskar on this auspicious day. When 75 lakhs people will come together for Surya Namaskar, we are sure to make history. The energy of Sun enhances our immunity which can be very helpful in defeating this pandemic.”

Yogrishi Swami Ramdev ji Maharaj, Patanjali and Member, Governing Council, IYA who was driving force behind the event said that the Surya Namaskar aims to make people aware of the basis of life force. Yoga means to unite people and we are doing the same by uniting more than 75 lakh people performing Surya Namaskar together.”

He thanked our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Ministry of AYUSH for this initiative. He said Yoga, Ayurved and Sanatan Dharam has the solution for all and the entire universe is following it.

While stressing that Sun is the basis of our existence, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev ji, Isha Foundation and Member, Governing Council, IYA said, “Surya Namaskar activates the solar plexus to generate the heat in the system, to raise the Sun Prana or the solar heat in the system. When we say solar, it is not just symbolic. I want you to understand all heat that you experience on this planet is essentially from the Sun. Stored and released in many ways. All hydrocarbons have formed the way they have formed essentially because they’re all sun-baked. Everything is run by solar power. When we activate the sun in the system, the body begins to glow and shine. One who practice Surya Namaskar his glandular secretions and mucus levels will be very easily balanced and be in good shape.

“And this determines a lot of things about you, not just your physical health, your physical health, your psychological health, you spiritual possibility. Everything is determined by this, depending upon how much of solar energy within you or in other words— how balanced are you secretions. This is one of the simplest and the most effective sadhanas to bring that balance.”

Shri Kamlesh D Patel, Heartfulness and Member, Governing Council, IYA talked about importance of yoga in life and said, “Only Yoga can offer self-liberation. It’s important that we free ourselves. Surya Namaskar and dhayan can be the ways. He further encouraged more and more people to participate in this wonderful initiative by the Ministry of AYUSH.
Exhibiting similar views Guruji Dr HR Nagendra, President, IYA said, “This is wonderful opportunity where we all can gain lot of energy from the Sun on the auspicious day of Makar Sakranti. Suryanamaskar is a series of asanas conducted in a 12-step sequence that keeps the mind and body in harmony.”

Maa Dr. Hansaji Yogendra, The Yoga Institute and Member, Governing Council, IYA explained in detail the importance of Surya Namaskar and said that , “In Yoga, a lot of importance is given to Sun. We say a person should be in the light in sun. The first thing which we all should do is to look at the rising Sun in the morning and respect it through Surya Namaskar. That is Yoga. It stimulates the nervous system and it makes you really active and agile. It gives you energy and keeps your body in shape. Surya Namaskar is a great way to improve the cognitive functions of your body. It really improves overall health, strengthens your body and relaxes every part of your body. Surya Namaskar illuminates your intellect, so you can study well, memorize well, reproduce well and be successful.

Swami Bharat Bhushan, Mokshayatan International Yogashram and Member, Governing Council, IYA expressing his views said, “Sun is the life force for all without any discrimination be it human beings, birds, beast, trees, plants or nature at large. We have to look towards Sun for gaining energy and light. Practicing Surya Namaskar on the special day of Makar Sakranti is a wonderful initiative. On Makar Sakranti, Sun enters into Makar rashi and is called Uttarayan Surya. Whatever is there in the universe in within us as well. We should take this opportunity as a medium to gain energy from the Sun.”

Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, Parmarth Niketan and Honorary Director, Standing Publicity, Publication & P.R. Committee, IYA from the banks of Holy river Ganga said, “Performing Surya Namaskara and to be able to celebrate this sacred day of Makar Sankranti here on the banks of the Sacred Mother Ganga in the lap of the Himalayas here at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh is a wonderful opportunity. It is such a joy and honour to join together with The Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India under the leadership, vision and the dedication of our Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and to join together with all of the institutes of the Indian yoga Association, and all of our sisters and brothers in every country, every city and every corner across the world doing Surya Namaskar.”

The Members of Indian Yoga Association enthusiastically participated in event.
Here are few glimpses