The three-day Rishikesh Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh, a city in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, concluded on 17 December 2024.
Over 500 participants from more than 25 countries attended the event, which featured yoga sessions, workshops, and satsangs.
The festival began on 14 December, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Yog Guru BKS Iyengar. It opened with a Yagya ceremony and an evening Ganga Aarti led by Swami Chidanand Saraswati.
Participants took part in workshops on Iyengar Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, meditation, sound healing, and Ashtanga Vinyasa. Satsangs with Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati complemented the sessions.
More than two dozen yoga schools from Rishikesh participated. At the closing ceremony, participants were encouraged to share yoga’s teachings authentically. A call was made to celebrate World Meditation Day on 21 December with enthusiasm similar to World Yoga Day.
“Rishikesh is a sanctuary of yoga’s true essence. It’s inspiring to see people from around the world come together to carry this ancient wisdom to their communities. It’s time for Green Yoga, where yogis work to protect water bodies and the Earth,” said Swami Chidanand Saraswati.
“Yoga is more than just asanas; it’s a way of life. The festival reminds us to live yoga with service and devotion, especially here at the holy banks of Maa Ganga,” said Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati.
Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.
Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.
The attack led to a manhunt before Clifford was found injured hours later in a north London cemetery.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday convicted Clifford of raping 25-year-old Louise Hunt before killing her.
His sentencing for all the crimes is scheduled for Tuesday.
Clifford had admitted to murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise and Hannah, 28. He had also pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possessing offensive weapons but denied raping Louise.
During the trial, the court heard that after killing Carol Hunt, Clifford waited for an hour before attacking Louise, tying her up, raping her, and then killing her with a crossbow. He later killed Hannah when she returned home from work.
The prosecution described Clifford, a former soldier, as committing a "violent, sexual act of spite" and said he was "enraged" after Louise ended their 18-month relationship. They told the court that he had "carefully planned" the attack.
Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford had searched for a podcast by social media influencer Andrew Tate, according to the prosecution. They argued that the murders were driven by the "violent misogyny promoted" by Tate.
Justice Joel Bennathan called Clifford’s crimes "dreadful" and "almost unspeakable".
(With inputs from AFP)