Subject: Art and Culture

11th International Yoga Day

Prime Minister led the celebrations for the 11th International Day of Yoga on 21st June.

Celebration: The International Day of Yoga is observed annually on June 21 across the world since 2015, following a UN resolution in 2014.
Proposed by India at UN: Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea during his UN address in September 2014, highlighting yoga’s global relevance.
UN Recognition: The resolution was introduced by India’s Permanent Representative and was adopted without a vote, supported by 177 countries.
First Observance: The first celebration was held on June 21, 2015, with events in cities like New York, Paris, Beijing, and New Delhi.
Purpose of the Day: The day recognizes Yoga’s health benefits, including physical fitness, stress relief, and spiritual well-being.

Origin: Yoga originated in ancient India and is deeply rooted in Indian philosophy, spirituality, and culture.
Meaning of Yoga: The word “Yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit root “yuj”, meaning “to join or unite” the mind, body, and spirit.
Historical References:
- Rig Veda and Upanishads: Yoga-like practices are mentioned in the Rig Veda (c. 1500 BCE) and further developed in the Upanishads (800–400 BCE).
- Patanjali’s Contribution: Sage Patanjali, considered the father of classical yoga, compiled the Yoga Sutras around the 2nd century BCE, outlining a systematic philosophy.
Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga (Yoga Sutras)

- Multiple Traditions: Yoga is practiced in various schools, each with distinct methods and focus.
- Popular Styles: These include Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Kundalini, Bikram, and Yin Yoga, catering to both beginners and advanced practitioners.

The date of June 21 was chosen because it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, symbolising spiritual significance across various cultures.
In Hindu mythology, this day marks the transition to Dakshinayana and is associated with the first yogi, Shiva, who began teaching yoga to humanity.

[2014] Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy?

(a) Mimamsa and Vedanta

(b) Nyaya and Vaisheshika

(d) Sankhya and Yoga

The recent terror attack in Pahalgam has led to lower turnout at the annual Jyestha Ashtami festival at the Kheer Bhawani temple in Kashmir.

What is it: The Kheer Bhawani Festival, also called Mela Kheer Bhawani, is celebrated every year on Jyestha Ashtami by the Kashmiri Pandit community.
Location of Celebration: It takes place at the Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla village, Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir.
Deity Worshipped: The temple is dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi, an important deity in the Kashmiri Hindu tradition.
Sacred Spring and Ritual: The temple sits over a natural spring. Devotees offer kheer (rice and milk pudding) as a sacred offering.
Largest Kashmiri Hindu Gathering: It is the biggest Hindu religious gathering in the Kashmir Valley after the Amarnath Yatra.
Beliefs about Water Color: Devotees believe that the spring’s color changes based on the region’s condition:
- Light colors mean good times.
- Black water is a warning sign (reportedly turned black in 1990, just before the Kashmiri Pandit Massacre).
Historical Legacy: The temple structure was built by Maharaja Pratap Singh and later renovated by Maharaja Hari Singh in the early 1900s.
Ancient Mentions: References to the site are found in Kalhana’s Rajtarangini, Bhrigu Samhita, and Abu’l-Fazl’s Ain-i-Akbari, which also mentions flooding in Tula Mula.

Cultural Importance: The temple serves as a symbol of faith and identity for Kashmiri Pandits, especially those displaced.
Communal Harmony: Local Muslim communities assist in festival arrangements, showcasing communal unity and harmony.
Spiritual Symbolism: The temple spring, called Syandh, holds spiritual meaning and is not connected to the Sindhu (Indus) River.