Rath Yatra Celebrated with Yoga, Spirituality, and Excellence at Asian Yoga Research Institute
By Suman Munshi | IBG NEWS
Kolkata, July 17: Blending spirituality with the timeless values of yoga, the Asian Yoga Research Institute & Vocational Training Centre (VTC) celebrated the auspicious festival of Rath Yatra with a special worship ceremony, cultural observance, and recognition of excellence in yoga education. The event was organized under the leadership of eminent yoga expert Ujjal Ghosh, drawing distinguished guests, yoga practitioners, and members of the wellness community.
A major highlight of the programme was the felicitation and certification of yoga trainers who successfully completed specialized training as Yoga Judges. The initiative marks an important step towards strengthening professional standards, evaluation systems, and institutional development within the yoga fraternity. Dr. Dhiresh Choudhury, Founder of Banchbo Healing Touch Foundation, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, alongside other distinguished yoga judges, adding further prestige to the event.
Addressing the gathering, participants emphasized the growing importance of structured yoga education and the need to create qualified professionals capable of maintaining high standards in competitions, training, and public awareness programmes.
Ujjal Ghosh, one of the state’s most respected yoga educators, has devoted more than three decades to promoting yoga as a scientific discipline and holistic lifestyle. He is also a distinguished member of the expert panel of the Banchbo Healing Touch Foundation, where he contributes his expertise towards health, wellness, and therapeutic yoga initiatives.
Widely recognized as a regular speaker and contributor across print and electronic media, Ghosh has played a significant role in popularizing yoga long before it became a global movement. Experts attending the event observed that during a period when yoga had yet to gain mainstream acceptance, he remained among the pioneering personalities who worked relentlessly to bring the ancient discipline closer to the common people. His sustained efforts have helped expand public awareness and encourage wider participation in yoga across different sections of society.
The Rath Yatra celebration concluded on a deeply spiritual note with the presentation of symbolic mementos of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra to guests and participants. The gesture served as a lasting reminder of the festival’s message of devotion, harmony, and universal well-being.
The well-organized programme reflected the harmonious integration of India’s spiritual heritage with the modern movement towards professional yoga education, reinforcing the importance of preserving traditional knowledge while promoting excellence in contemporary wellness practices.
