Johannesburg:
Thousands of enthusiastic people on Sunday turned up at various venues across South Africa to celebrate the first International Yoga Day, with the coastal city of Durban recording the maximum participation.
The celebrations that mostly had Indians in attendance, incorporated a variety of activities including talks on the benefits of yoga and ayurveda as well as a wide range asanas.
The biggest gathering was on the beach in the coastal city of Durban, home to more than half of South Africa's 1.4 million citizens of Indian origin.
Indian High Commissioner Ruchi Ghanashyam jetted between venues to address the large crowds in Durban in the morning and reached Johannesburg by lunchtime.
Among the participants in Durban were Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party, as well as a host of politicians, businessmen and other popular names.
Ms Ghanashyam handed over prizes for an essay competition on the theme of 'Yoga and Healthy Living' organised by the Indian missions here.
The winners received tickets for two to India with full hospitality for five days, courtesy Tourism Ministry of India.
Also in Johannesburg, boxer Adam Speechly explained and then demonstrated how yoga was helping him and several other athletes achieve better performance than conventional exercises.