Suttur: The 52nd birthday of yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Founder of Patanjali Group of Institutions, was celebrated in a grand manner in the presence of a large gathering at Suttur Sri Kshetra in Nanjangud taluk yesterday.

The birthday celebrations was organised in the presence of Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji on the last day of the three-day Yoga Chikitsa and Meditation Shivir organised by Patanjali Group.

Baba Ramdev was taken out in a huge decorated chariot with musicians and various cultural troupes along with hundreds of devotees accompanying, to the JSS Residential School.

Suttur Seer placed the jasmine-flower-decorated crown on the Baba’s head and presented a life-size wooden-relief panel depicting the yoga guru.

Baba Ramdev, speaking after the felicitation, said that this is the first time a yoga shivir is being held in Suttur Kshetra and the Swamiji remembering to celebrate my birthday at this time is truly laudable.

More than 4,000 children have taken shelter in Suttur Mutt and added to this, more than one lakh children are receiving education reflecting the cultural ethos of the society. By doing charity and philanthropy one will receive punya or grace but by educating the children one receives mahapunya.  The Suttur Mutt is involved in such a great work, Baba lauded.

Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji said that for everyone participating in the Shivir, it is the most memorable three days and to celebrate Baba’s birthday which also happens to be the day for Christmas celebrations, which is a season of giving, adds lustre to the whole event. Another coincidence is, it also happens to be the birthday of the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was the main architect of the Kargil War victory.

Bharat that is India’s civilisation is much more ancient than that of the Greek civilisation and this is the gift that our country has given to the world. We should focus on continuing this great legacy of the past and Baba Ramdev is in the forefront of taking it forward, said the Swamiji.

Twenty years ago, only the students of Patanjali knew about the great sage. But Baba Ramdev has been instrumental in spreading the message of Patanjali yoga to the entire world, he said.

Bidar MP Bhagawanth Khuba, Fabricon’s Manjunath, Jayadeep Arya, Dr. Sumana Behan, Rajeshji, State in-charge Bhawarlal Arya and others were present.

More than 1,200 delegates from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Goa and around 4,000 school children from the Suttur Residential school participated in the three-day shivir that ended yesterday.