PM Modi in US highlights: Private dinner with Biden marks PM's day-2 visit

"Absolutely amazing and out of the world as yoga takes us out of ourselves into the cosmos. Today, he (PM Modi) has harnessed yoga to unite humanity for peace," former UN Assistant Secretary General and former deputy executive director UN Women Lakshmi Puri said. 

Spiritual leader Amma Sri Karunamayi said Yoga Day is for universal peace and brotherhood.

"This is a very special day as it (the Yoga event at the UN headquarters) has entered the Guinness Book of World Records. We are very proud of Modi-ji. Yoga Day is for universal peace and brotherhood. Peace and harmony, not more wars, are expected from the world," the spiritual leader said.

"Incredible moment of Glory for Assam! PM Narendra Modi adorns our Gamosa as he leads yoga day celebrations with representatives of 135 countries at the United Nations Headquarters, New York," Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted. 

Tadasana: Known as the palm tree or mountain pose, the yoga pose is great for beginners and experienced yoga practitioners.

Ardhachakrasana: The half wheel pose is performed by extending arms overhead and gently bending backwards.

Padhastasana: The forward bend pose  includes draping the upper body over the legs and inward focus. 

Vajrasana: It is a simple sitting yoga pose. 

Ardha Ushtrasana: Called the half camel pose, it is a heart opener, a backbend and a front body stretch. 

Shashankasana: The rabbit pose is a simple dynamic forward-bending posture provides a gentle stretch while relaxing and energising the body.

Uttana mandukasana: It is also known as the stretched-up frog posture.

Makarasana: It straightens and stretches the muscles of legs, and also the back of the arms. 

Bhujangasana: Known as the cobra pose, it is one of the most popular yoga postures. 

Pavanmuktasana: Lie down on the back with feet together and arms beside your body. Breathe in and as you exhale, bring both your knees towards your chest and press the thigh on your abdomen.

Shavasana: It is a resting and restorative pose.

According to Ministry of External Affairs, yoga enthusiasts from 135 nationalities joined PM Modi for International Yoga Day celebration at UN headquarters in New York.

“Thousands of Yoga enthusiasts from 135 nationalities joined PM@narendramodi for the 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations at @UNHQ, setting a Guinness World Record for participation by maximum number of nationalities in a Yoga Session. This is truly a #YogaforVasudhaivaKutumbakam - the entire world is one family,” Arindam Bagchi tweeted. 

Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik depicted Prime Minister Narendra performing Yoga. 

PM Modi told a gathering on the north lawn of UN headquarters in New York said, “Let us use the power of yoga, not only to be healthy, happy, but also to be kind to ourselves and to each other.”

"Let us use the power of yoga to build bridges of friendship, a peaceful world, and a cleaner, greener and sustainable future," he said.

PM Modi will arrive in Washington later today in the next leg of his State visit.

It was a matter of pride for the entire country that yoga is being celebrated across the world, BJP national president JP Nadda said.

"It is a matter of great pride for the country that today 192 countries of the world are organising yoga programmes and the world is adopting the tradition of our country,"JP Nadda said.

Preparations for cultural events at Freedom Plaza, located in front of the hotel where Prime Minister Modi was scheduled to stay in Washington DC, were brought to a standstill due to heavy rainfall. 

PM Modi described Yoga as "truly universal" and "free from copyrights and patents" as he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga. The event was attended by top UN officials, diplomats and prominent personalities. The prime minister, wearing a customised white yoga T-shirt and trousers, began his address with a 'Namaste' saying, “I'm delighted to see you all. And I thank you all for coming. Friends. I'm told that almost every nationality is represented here today.”

“It is a lovely message. He (PM Modi) is a product of Indian culture and comes from a vast place like Indian culture does. This message of universal brotherhood and sisterhood is the one we want to hear again and again,” Richard Gere after Yoga Day event in New York said. 

Ruchira Kamboj said, "Today's celebration is, indeed, very special as PM Modi will lead us in doing yoga here. It is under his leadership that June 21 was declared #InternationalYogaDay. It is only fitting that the inspiration behind the idea is with us today in the scenic multicultural setting of the UN."

Michael Empric, Guinness World Records official adjudicator said, "Today there was a Guinness World Records title attempt for most nationalities in a Yoga lesson. The mark to be was 140 nationalities. Today in New York, at the UN, they have 135. It is a new Guinness world records title..."

PM Modi is interacting with children at the UN headquarters lawns in New York following the mega yoga session. 

Denise Scotto, the moderator of Yoga Day at the UN HQ in New York said, "..We are having a wonderful day here...I am so honoured to be able to introduce PM Modi. India feels like it's my spiritual home along with Italy where my family is from..."

Around 185 countries are said to have been represented at the Yoga session.

UN HQ event creates Guinness World Record for people of most nationalities in a yoga lesson.

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shared a personalised video message on International Yoga Day, saying that Yoga not just unites body and mind, but also millions of people across the globe.

Actor Richard Gere practises yoga asana with PM Modi. 

PM Modi and a gathering comprising representatives from 185 countries practised several asanas during the yoga session at International Yoga Day celebrations at UN headquarters.