JAMMU, Jun 21: Over 5,000 people on Wednesday thronged the picturesque Jaie Ghati in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district to perform yoga on International Yoga Day.
Nomadic Gujjars, who are the local residents, welcomed the visitors who performed yoga asanas at the meadow situated at a height of 7,850 feet, 70 km from Doda administration headquarters.
According to officials, this was the largest gathering in the entire Chenab valley region, comprising Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts.
Doda Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Pal Mahajan, along with Doda Senior Superintendent of Police Abdul Qayoom, inaugurated the event.
Mahajan said the aim of organising yoga day in the lap of nature far away from the hustle and bustle of towns was to showcase the mundane beauty of the unexplored destination to attract tourists from across the world.
”Besides spreading the message of peace, unity in diversity and promoting healthy living by adopting yoga as a way of life, we also wanted to send a strong message against substance abuse and inculcate a sense of belonging towards mother nature,” he said.
”This is an experience we will treasure for a long time. The event has given us a feeling of sense of belonging and hopefully, the authorities will understand the problems we are facing in a better way,” Mohd Hussain Chechi, a local resident said.
Traditional Bhaderwahi songs and dheku dance were also performed by the local artists for the visitors.
