Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said yoga was India's biggest gift to the world and it cannot be tied to a particular religion, caste or sect.       

"Today not only in India, but in the entire world yoga and Ayurveda are being practiced which are integral parts of the country's culture," Rajnath said while addressing a mass yoga session on the first International Yoga Day at K D Singh Babu stadium.       

"It connects the society and cannot be bound down to a particular religion, caste or sect," he said. "It is the biggest gift from India to the world. Either it was Buddhism, which spread in the entire world or its yoga which has been accepted by 191 countries in the world," he said.       

Despite objections by several Muslim organisations, including All India Muslim Personal Law Board, a large umber of Muslims participated in the celebrations today, which witnessed participation of more than 15,000 people.       

Though due to protests, Suryanamaskar was not a part of the session, 'Om' was still chanted in the beginning and end.       

The Uttar Pradesh government did not observe the day officially and had made it voluntary but a sizeable number of government officers and employees were present at the stadium. Rajnath said that India is advancing towards becoming the"world guru".