Berlin: Fifty thousand yoga fans from around the globe braved rain to take part in a huge festival, billed as the world's biggest yoga and meditation camp, organised by Art of Living founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar here in the German capital.
The two-day World Culture Festival, which started yesterday at historic Olympic stadium of Berlin, featured meditation, music and dance from across the globe.
To mark the 30th anniversary of the The Art of Living Foundation, around 50,000 people from across 151 countries, including 6000 artists and 804 dignitaries, participated in the event. The programme began with Vedic chants.
The 55-year-old spiritual guru spoke both in German and English to the cheers of the local population.
"It is time that walls come down between cultures and civilizations. We all should remember we are a one world family. We need to bring everyone together in a spirit of love, compassion and service. It is time to celebrate life on this planet."
"With all the volunteers, we are sure we can create a stress-free, violence-free society. One divinity, one humanity and celebrating the diversity - this is our sacred duty," a press release of Art of Living Foundation quoted Ravi Shankar as saying.
India was being represented by Minister for Tourism Subodh Kant Sahay and BJP President Nitin Gadhkari at the event.
"Humanity needs the wisdom of ancient India to heal the wounds of terrorism. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is the ambassador of peace, a modern rishi who has come to unite the world", Gadhkari said.
The festival saw a diverse, enthusiastic participation from various countries including Japan, Russia Argentina, Lithuania, Cyprus, Cuba and Ukraine, the release said.
