Patanjala Yoga Kendra Rishikesh Embarks on a New Chapter: A Beloved Yoga Haven Evolves
Rishikesh recently celebrated the legacy of the Patanjala Yoga Kendra (Iyengar Yoga Centre) as it held the final program at its cherished home within the Omkarananda Ganga Sadan. For 32 years, since its establishment in 1993 by the dedicated Usha Devi, the centre has served as a sanctuary for those seeking the transformative power of Iyengar yoga, peacefully situated along the sacred banks of the Ma Ganga river. The centre is embarking on a new chapter, relocating on April 1, 2025 to the Swami Swatantranand Ashram just down the road from the existing location.
To mark this significant transition, students from around the globe gathered to participate in a final Yoga Intensive course at the Ganga Sadan location and to express their deep gratitude for the centre’s profound impact on their lives. Students from Switzerland, the UK, Germany, the United States, and India, united to commemorate the Kendra’s remarkable legacy.
The closing program was a carefully curated blend of reverence, remembrance, and anticipation. It commenced with a profound moment of silence, inviting all present to connect with their inner stillness, followed by the resonant Om chanting and the recitation of sacred prayers to Lord Patanjali. Siddhartha Krishna delivered a moving tribute, eloquently highlighting the centre’s 32 years of dedicated service through Iyengar yoga.
A student-organized tribute video, lovingly crafted by Ekta, Swati, Srishti, Sooraj, Ayush, Joanna, Raffaele, and others, evoked a wave of nostalgia, showcasing cherished scenes of practice, familiar props, and inspiring quotes from Guruji BKS Iyengar, who graced the centre with his presence on four memorable occasions.
Sri Neelkanth and his talented ensemble offered a heartfelt musical tribute, skillfully inspiring the assembled crowd to become one collective voice in song. The band performed devotional pieces dedicated to Lord Shiva and Radha Krishna, inviting the audience to join in the uplifting chorus.
Siddhartha ji concluded the program with traditional prayers offered to Lord Patanjali and all gurus, and by sharing a poignant story, often told to him by his beloved Pitaji: the story of a child upset when a worn cloth is removed, failing to understand that the underlying essence remains unchanged. He reassured attendees that while the physical location of the centre is evolving, its core mission of selfless service through Iyengar yoga and Vedanta philosophy will endure, continuing to enrich lives for years to come. The spirit of the Patanjala Yoga Kendra lives on, carried in the hearts of its students and in the ongoing dissemination of Guruji’s invaluable teachings.
