Whenever during my travels outside of India, I am asked to introduce myself, my answer always is that, I come from a land where human­ity strived for attainment of the highest, even while the rest of the world was still looking for better lands.
Yesterday the colorful, mystic and powerful im­ages from the Kumbh Mela Haridwar dominated all media posts. I was pushed into marveling at how we belong to a civilization where even the poorest of the poor, weakest of the weak to the affluent, young to the old, normal to the outlandish; is culturally hardwired to seek libera­tion (moksha) above all else. Crowds and crowds moving together in ecstatic dance. Kumbh is where knowledge, love and celebration meet.
People benefit in Kumbha Mela by being in the midst of so many great Masters, Rishis, Gurus. Kumbh signi­fies the biggest congregation of saints and scholars who discuss, dialogue, exchange wisdom and meditate with an intention, a sankalpa for all the world.

I sometimes tell myself that Indian Yoga Association (IYA) is one such Kumbh Mela where we are so blessed to have a congrega­tion of the Rishis of today. While I say this, I am taken back in the memory lanes to the Maha Kumb­ha at the Prayagraj few years back. The IYA had organized a Yog Kumbh there – an intense immer­sion into knowledge, love, freedom, the power and bliss of Yoga.

Ah! No number of words can express the experi­ence of bliss in the company of Gurus!
Wishing you all a very Happy Maha Shivratri. May the light of wisdom and blessings of the great Masters of our land keep you moving towards light.

Smt. Kamlesh Barwal
(Secretary General, Indian Yoga Association)