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especially keeping in mind the numbers of foreign delegates.
In stark contrast to the chaos and tension Munger town presents as any other town would, the Ganga Darshan venue of the convention suggests order, harmony and peace. Nestling on top a hill on an area of over 16 acres, the Bihar School of Yoga ashram complex is one of the largest and most modern institutions of its kind in the country. A self-contained unit, the ashram offers yogic training to people regardless of caste, race, religion, sex or age considerations.
Among those who will attend the inaugural session of the convention are the governor, Mr A.R. Kidwai, Paramahamsa Niranjanananda, Swami Lokeshwarananda Puri from Calcutta and Swami Chidananda Saraswati from Rishikesh. Besides, many scholars and scientists from the fields of medicine, psychology and social science are expected to attend the conference, held every 20 years.
This year the conference is being held on the occasion of the golden jubilee of the renunciation of Paramahamsa Satyananda, one of the foremost inspirers of the yogic renaissance and founder of the Bihar School of Yoga. Disciples of the swami from over 32 countries will come together on this occasion, according to Swami Shankarananda Saraswati, coordinator of the convention.
Keeping in mind the scientific temperament of yoga and its
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future perspective, the theme of the convention is "Integration of Science and Yoga in the 21st Century". With yoga becoming a proven remedy for various diseases, including heart and lung disorders, several persons from all over the world who have benefited from yoga therapy will speak at the convention.
While thousands of delegates are pouring in from all parts of the country for the convention, the venue evokes interest due to
the presence of the foreign delegates, some of them clad in saffron robes. The major chunk of these delegates have arrived from Australia, Greece, Germany and Italy. Besides other European countries, England and the United States, there are delegates from the African countries and Iran. The delegates from abroad include those who had earlier taken yogic training at the school of yoga for as long as two to five years. However, for many this is their first visit.
Among the 100 odd sannyasins of the ashram, who are managing the arrangements for the conference with the help of local citizens are Swami Satyadharma, Swami Gyanprakash, Swami Muktidharma, Swami Divyananda and Swami Vibhooti. Their names may be misleading for they are from the United States, Colombia, Australia and Ireland. Today, however, most of them are Indian citizens.
The first World Yoga Convention was held here in 1973.
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