Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed Gujarat as the state etched its name in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most people performing the Surya Namaskar simultaneously.
“Gujarat welcomed 2024 with a remarkable feat - setting a Guinness World Record for the most people performing Surya Namaskar simultaneously at 108 venues! As we all know, the number 108 holds a special significance in our culture. The venues also include the iconic Modhera Sun Temple, where several people joined. This is indeed a true testament to our commitment to Yoga and our cultural heritage”, Modi said in a tweet.
He even urged the people of the country to make the Surya Namaskar a part of their daily routine.
Modi Hails Gujarat for Setting Up Guinness World Record for Performing Mass Surya Namaskar
© Photo : Twitter/@narendramodi
On the morning of 1 January 2024, over 4,000 participants across 108 locations and 51 different categories performed the iconic sun salutation yoga sequence, solidifying the state's commitment to wellness and cultural heritage.
The mega event was organised at the Modhera Sun Temple in Modhera village in the state's Mehsana district. Enthusiasts from diverse groups, including families, students, yoga practitioners, and even senior citizens participated in the event.
State chief Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi attended the celebrations in Modhera, while the jubilant atmosphere reached a crescendo when Guinness World Records adjudicator Swapnil Dangarikar officially announced the successful attempt.
“I was here to verify the record for the most people doing Surya Namaskar. This is a new title because no one had attempted to break this record before. After going through all the evidence and seeing them perform here in Modhera...They have successfully set a new Guinness World Record title for most people doing Surya Namaskar”, Swapnil Dangarikar, adjudicator at Guinness World Records, said.
Meanwhle, Gujarat Home Minister Sanghavi said that the state had registered the first world record in the country and the world, where thousands of people did yoga together in 108 places.
He further emphasised the global embrace of yoga, stating that “Yoga is being adopted across the world”.