Over a lakh create record in Kota as Yoga Day witnesses enthusiasm across states

New Delhi/Kota/Patna: A world record was created in Kota in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan on Thursday where over a lakh people got together to perform 'asanas' while similar energy and zeal was on display at events across states as big-wigs stretched and twisted along with millions of citizens on the 4th International Day of Yoga.

The day also had its moments of controversy as BJP ally and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar did not participate in an event, which was inaugurated by Governor Satya Pal Malik and attended by Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, raising many a political eyebrow.

Tennis star Sania Mirza, meanwhile, earned praise from Union Women and Child Minister Maneka Gandhi for doing pre-natal yoga. Mirza, expecting her first child in October, had posted a photo of herself performing an 'asana' on Twitter.

A major showpiece event of the day was in Kota, otherwise known as a hub of coaching academies for entrance exams.

Yog guru Ramdev led the record-breaking yoga session, attended by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and her ministers, in the presence of two officials from the Guinness World Records.