In view of Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramahansa Yoganandaji’s pivotal role in the spread of yoga worldwide, Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) organised various programmes to commemorate this 4th International Day of Yoga (IDY). 

Certainly, Paramahansaji would be very pleased to learn that the world will now be paying homage annually to the philosophy and science of Yoga, as his life was dedicated to introducing all truth seekers to the time-honored techniques of yoga meditation. 

Several events were also organised by YSS Dakshineswar Ashram at various places in and around Kolkata to celebrate IDY in West Bengal. These included guided meditation and open house sessions by YSS sannyasis for introducing the Yoga meditation teachings of Gurudeva to all interested persons and general public. 

On the morning of June 17, 2018, IDY was celebrated at Yogoda Satsanga Dhyana Kendra, Dihika with a special programme. It was attended by 162 persons which included around 60 students (of Class XI and XII) and staff of a nearby school - Dhakeswari High School. Other than the students and staff, around 13 others - who were completely new to YSS and Guruji’s teachings - attended the event.

Swami Amaranandaji conducted the open house and guided meditation sessions inside the meditation hall. There were nearly 90 devotees from nearby places - Durgapur, Kulti, Alladi, Chittaranjan, Asansol, Dhanbad and Damodar - at the event. The translation of the satsanga was delivered by one of the YSS devotees, Sri Milan Bose.

Through the programme, the attendees were introduced to the Yoga meditation teachings of Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda. Several of them showed a keen interest to know more about YSS and four of them eventually enrolled for the YSS lessons.

Owing to the warm weather condition, lemonade was served to the participants ahead of the programme; and a prasad of fried-rice, dal, sabzi, chutney, papad and mango was served in the end.

To accomodate the large number of participants and to protect devotees from the scorching sun, a make-shift arrangement of a pandal was also made in front of the meditation hall verandah. Separate stalls were set up for books sales and lessons subscription. A special discount of 25 per cent was given on book sales during the programme.