Gujarat Creates Guinness Record For Performing Surya Namaskar On New Year's Day; PM Modi Reacts

The Guinness Book of World Records on Monday morning registered Gujarat’s record for most people performing Surya Namaskar simultaneously on the occasion of the New Year.

The state witnessed the participation of more than 4,000 people across 108 locations and 51 different categories performing the Surya Namaskar yoga, which was upheld as a symbol of commitment of the country towards health.

The event was held at several locations, including the Modhera Sun Temple, and it witnessed participation from diverse backgrounds, including families, students, yoga enthusiasts, and senior citizens. The programme was also attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi  hailed the exceptional record calling it a true testament to our commitment to Yoga and our cultural heritage.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Gujarat welcomed 2024 with a remarkable feat – setting a Guinness World Record for the most people performing Surya Namaskar simultaneously at 108 venues! As we all know, the number 108 holds a special significance in our culture. The venues also include the iconic Modhera Sun Temple, where several people joined. This is indeed a true testament to our commitment to Yoga and our cultural heritage.”

He further said, “I also urge you all to make Surya Namaskar a part of your daily routine. The benefits are immense.”

State Chief Minister Patel also congratulated the participants of the event. He further said, in a post on X, “Congratulations to all the citizens, contestants, Gujarat State Yoga Board and the State Youth-Cultural Department for this unforgettable, supernatural program of worshiping Lord Surya and for setting a Guinness World Record. May all our lives shine with the radiance of yoga, pray to Lord Suryanarayan.”

In another post, Patel said, “Om Surya Namah. The first day of the year 2024 turned out to be a wonderful confluence of yoga, spirituality, culture and health. The divine function of mass Suryanamaskar was organized in the premises of Modhera Sun Temple, the pride of Gujarat, as soon as the first ray of the sun fell on the temple.” 

“Under this program organized with the inspiration of Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi, citizens at 108 places in Gujarat performed Surya Namaskar together. Overall, around 50,000 people from across the state participated in the Suryanamaskar event. Gujarat set a Guinness World Record by performing the largest number of Surya Namaskars simultaneously at different places,” he added.

He also said, “Under the guidance of the Honorable Prime Minister, Sama Yoga, an invaluable heritage of Indian culture, has been adopted by the whole world today. Even in Gujarat today, there has been public awareness about attaining complete health through Gher-Gher Yoga. As a happy result of which, today’s historical Suryanamaskar Thaki Gujarat has once again established the importance of Yoga in front of the world.”

Speaking to news agency ANI on the latest record, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said, “Today, Gujarat has set a new record for the most people doing Surya Namaskar together. The people of Gujarat had set the same kind of record in 2023 for most people performing Yoga together and today again Gujarat has set a World record. This event was organised at 108 locations where lakhs of people have performed Surya Namaskar together…”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday congratulated Gujarat for setting a Guinness World Record for the most people performing ‘Surya Namaskar’ simultaneously at 108 venues. Taking to ‘X’, he also posted a few pictures of people performing ‘Surya Namaskar’ in Gujarat.

“Our culture is our pride. Proud women and men in Gujarat welcomed 2024 by performing Surya Namaskar at 108 venues and set a Guinness World Record for the same. “Every proud nationalist felt the joy of seeing venues like the Modhera Sun Temple beaming with the zest of the Surya Namaskar performers. Let this event be the pedestal for a pledge to practice Yoga every day and live a healthy life,” Shah said.

(with agency inputs)