Union minister for Textiles Smriti Irani joined other BJP Parliamentarians and chief ministers practicing yogasanas on the occasion of International Yoga Day today.


Irani was in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, doing asanas led by Art of Living Foundation Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Much of north India was swept by pre-monsoon showers and the minister, who was dressed in a salwar kameez, took to Twitter to share her pictures, saying "Honoured to have Gurudev @SriSri ji lead #YogaDay2017 celebrations at Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh."

She then followed it up with a picture of a plate of pakodas (which look  like onion bhajias) and a glass of tea and wrote, "After yoga in the rains, time for some chai pakodas."


Lakhs of people across the country and the world bent, stretched and twisted on the third International Day of Yoga today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who led the celebrations in Lucknow, saying yogic asanas connected the world to India.


From Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan in Lucknow and colonnaded Connaught Place in Delhi to Trafalgar Square in London and Great Wall in China, the day to celebrate the traditional wellness regime that originated in India was celebrated with vim, vigour and vitality.


Dressed in a white t-shirt and trousers, Modi joined over 51,000 people at the sprawling Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan and said yoga had now become part of every person's life.


"Many countries which do not know our language, tradition or culture are now connecting to India through yoga. The practice, which connects body, mind and soul, has played a big role in binding the world too," he said.


Rains played a bit of a spoilsport in Lucknow and Delhi, but failed to dampen spirits with people thronging parks and public places. In the Uttar Pradesh capital, where Modi was joined by Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the prime minister thanked people for coming out in large numbers despite the rains, saying, "Your presence here will give strength to yoga and deserves salutation."


In a series of tweets later, Modi said, "Today, Yoga has become a part of so many lives. Yoga's popularity outside India is high & has connected the world with India." "I am glad to see several Yoga institutes take shape over the last three years. Demand for Yoga teachers is increasing: PM. I urge everyone to make Yoga a part of their lives," he said.


In Delhi, nearly 77,700 people braved pre-dawn showers and gathered at venues across the city. According to AYUSH Ministry officials, the maximum gathering of 50,000 people was at Red Fort lawns, followed by 10,000 yoga enthusiasts coming together in Connaught Place and about 9,000 at a DDA park in Rohini.


The streets of Connaught Place's inner circle, where vehicular movement was restricted, wore a festive look as old and young dressed in colourful attire performed various asanas.