Narendra Modi unveils 112 ft Shiva bust, extols Yoga

COIMBATORE (INDIA): Extolling the ancient Indian discipline of Yoga, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on Friday called for efforts to protect nature and mould human activities to bring them in sync with ecological surroundingsnnHe also termed unity in diversity as the speciality and strength of the Indian culturenn”This (Maha Shivaratri celebrations) symbolises a spirit of vigilance, that we have to protect nature and mould our activities in sync with our ecological surroundings,” he said addressing a gathering after unveiling a mammoth 112 feet bust of ‘Adiyogi” Lord Shiva at Isha Yoga Foundation herennUnderlining the need for peaceful coexistence, Modi said, “Lord Shiva is everywhere” and referred to the bull, peacock and mouse that were the vehicles of the Lord and his sons — Ganapathy and Karthik. He also talked about the venomous snake Vasuki curled around Shiva’s neck to emphasise the importance of peaceful coexistencennHe asked people to remain united, insisting unity in diversity was special to Indian culture.nnPraising the ancient practice of Yoga, whose goal is to bring the practitioner’s body, mind and spirit in tune with each other, Modi told the gathering that by “practising Yoga, a spirit of oneness is created. Oneness of mind, body and the intellect, oneness with our families and with the society we live in, with fellow humans and with birds, animals and trees.”nn”This is Yoga, Yoga is a journey from me to we,” he said, emphasising India’s biggest strength was its diversity.nnModi began his speech by greeting people in Tamil “Ungal Ellorukkum En Anbana Vanakkam,” (My loving greetings to all).nnFounder of Isha Foundation, Jaggi Vasudev, said the bust of ‘Adiyogi’ was built in eight months. He also lauded Modi for practising Yoga.nnBefore unveiling the giant ‘Adiyogi’ bust, Modi lighted the “Maha Yoga Yagna” and released the book ‘Adiyoga: The source of Yoga’, which deals with yogic sciences.nnModi was shown around various places in the Isha Yoga complex, including the Dhyana Linga, Surya Kund, Nandi statue and the inner and outer corridors (prakaras) by Sadhguru Vasudev.nnThe Prime Minister offered aarti and showered flower petals over the Dhyana Linga.nnHe later sat in the Dhyana Linga mandapam, where a yogic dance was performed by a group of youngsters to the accompaniment of traditional music and Sanskrit shlokas.nnModi briefly sat alongside Vasudev in a meditative posture.nnThe city and the venue of the event was placed under a multi-tier security cover by police and the Special Protection Group, which guards the Prime Minister.nnTamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami received Modi on his arrival here.nnMadhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan and Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi also attended the event.nnThe statue and the foundation are located in the foothills of Velliangiri mountains in the Western Ghats.nnThe bust was unveiled to coincide with Maha Shivaratri celebrations.nnSource: Press Trust of India