Mysuru: The City of Palaces and Yoga Capital, Mysuru, has added another feather in its cap by finding a place in the Guinness Book of World Records, in the largest yoga lesson category. With 55,506 participants, the city officially entered the record book for the largest gathering at a single venue on June 21, 2017 on the occasion of  International Yoga Day.

Guinnessworldrecords.com has made the announcement on its website and the same has been communicated to Mysuru Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep. The communication, sent by World Records Management Team, states: “Your application for largest yoga lesson has been successful and you are now the Guinness World Records title holder.”

The district administration had organised the largest yoga lesson at the spacious 139.30-acre Mysore Race Course premises where 55,506 participants, including foreigners, school and college students, elderly people, took part. Over 19 asanas were performed in 40 minutes and the district administration along with voluntary organisations was successfully able to mobilise such a large crowd.

Over 1,258 stewards, 2,000 volunteers and over 170 yoga teachers had coordinated in the mega event.

On the same day, Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev had organised a similar event in Ahmedabad and 54,522 people had taken part. It was earlier reported that Mysuru had lost the title to Ahmedabad. But yesterday it was clarified that Ahmedabad session witnessed only 54,522 participants, almost 1,000 less participants than Mysuru, making way for Mysuru to bag the record.

After the event on June 21, the district administration had shared photos, drone shots and other necessary documents with the authorities from Guinness. But they had expressed apprehension about the number of people who actually performed Yoga and hence the official announcement was kept on hold. On Monday, after scrutiny, they officially announced that Mysuru has set the world record.

The district administration had also made an attempt to enter the world records in the longest chain yoga performance, at Mysore Palace premises on June 19. Its results are awaited.

The district administration has expressed happiness over this and thanked Mysureans for participating in the event. It is a recognition for the entire city and its credit goes to them, DC Randeep said. “I felt happy when I saw the communication from the Guinness authorities. When Mysuru was declared the Cleanest City in India for two times in a row, the whole world took notice. With Guinness Record, we are at centre-stage,”  he said.

The DC added that it was a combined effort of officials, students, voluntary organisations, residents and media persons that won the city this distinction.

Karnataka now has both the Guinness World Records in yoga. The largest yoga class in a single location has been bagged by Mysuru (district administration) and the largest yoga in multiple locations is held by Dr. Veerendra Heggade of Srikshetra Dharmasthala. Over 62,824 people performed yoga at 47 locations in Dakshina Kannada on Dec. 13, 2013.