Mysore/Mysuru: Yoga Dasara, one of the attractions of Dasara festival has forayed into rural areas of the district this time. Following Prime Minister’s Yoga performance in city on International Day of Yoga, there is an increase in the number of Yoga enthusiasts and it has been decided to create awareness about the importance and benefits of Yoga among the rural folks.

“The Rural Yoga Dasara will be held at the premises of Sri Nanjundeshwara Temple in Nanjangud, so that people from rural areas can take part in Yoga Dasara. For the first time, rural folks are participating in Yoga Dasara,” said Yoga Dasara Sub-committee Special Officer Seemantini.

“Yoga Dasara will be inaugurated on Sept. 26 at Oval Grounds in city and will be held for seven days. Except for State-level Yogasana competitions, all other remaining programmes will be held from 6 am to 8 am. Many State and National-level Yoga performers will participate,” she added.

Giving details Seemantini further said that on Sept. 27 ‘Yogavahini’ programme will be held for People’s representatives and media representatives at Javaregowda Park in Saraswathipuram.

‘Yoga Sambhrama’ will be held on Sept. 28 at Palace premises where hundreds of Yoga experts  will give a demonstration of 75 special Asanas. On Sept. 29, State-level Yoga competition will be held at P. Kalingarao vedike in Dasara Exhibition Grounds. Yoga activists in the age group of 3 to 80 years can participate in the competitions which will be held from 9 am to 5 pm, she added.

“On Sept. 30,  Yoga Chain event will be held at the Palace premises, where more than 2,000 Yoga enthusiasts  will participate. On Oct.3, ‘Yoga Charana’ and ‘Durga Namaskara’ will be held atop  Chamundi Hill. Those who wish to participate are required to climb the hill by foot and perform Yoga,” Seemantini said.

Yoga at Nanjangud

On Oct 1, mass Yoga performance will be held at Sri Nanjundeshwara Temple premises where about 5,000 people will participate. “Through this programme, Yoga exhibition, hitherto limited to urban areas, is being extended to rural areas to create awareness about the importance and efficacy of Yoga,” she added.

Breakfast arrangement.

Breakfast is being planned for those who participate in the 7-day Yoga Dasara. Fruits and milk are likely to be distributed to the participants,” said Yoga Dasara Sub-committee Special Officer Seemantini.