Madame Tussauds New York Unveils Wax Figure Of Yoga Guru Ramdev In Delhi

• Those who are born on the soil of India will be revered as Bharat Ratna: Swami Ramdev

• There is a need to establish new ways of propagating eternal knowledge, science and wisdom of the Sanatan tradition and culture: Swami Ramdev

• First Indian sanyasi whose wax statue will grace Madame Tussauds

• Historical moment for India, as its culture, Sanyas and Sanatan Yoga tradition gets recognised on a global platform.

It is a historic day as the wax figure of the first Indian monk, Yogarishi Swami Ramdev Ji Maharaj, was unveiled in Delhi by the world famous Madame Tussauds, New York. The prestigious occasion recognised the influence of Indian culture, Sannyasa and Sanatana Yoga traditions on a global platform.

On this occasion, Swami Ramdev Ji Maharaj said that there are figures of more than 200 famous icons in Madame Tussauds, New York, which include Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra and Shahrukh Khan amongst others, and it was a matter of pride for India that a Sanyasi was shown the respect to belong to the list of those 200 renowned icons of the world. The world would now be looking towards India for its Yoga and Ayurveda. Even in America, the concept of Made in US and Made by America is being implemented. The wave of Yoga, Ayurveda and Swadeshi which was started by Patanjali has swept across the entire globe.

Swamiji elaborated that it took the efforts of about 200 artists and a cost of over Rs 2 crores to make the replica. “It is not a matter of caste, but a concept in which India and Indianness, and a monk of India, have been given a place. We are grateful to the team of Madame Tussauds for this.”

He said that it was not just about honoring Swami Ramdev but extending it to India's Sanatan culture, Yoga, Ayurveda and the legacy of our ancestors. Our aim is to nurture such creative and  striving personalities all over the world who walk the path of Yoga and the path of duty, Karmayoga. He said that Sanatan Dharma propagates worship of the personality and not the person, worship of the character and not its construct. “Therefore, we have neither called it an idol, nor worshiped it, nor consecrated it. It is only for inspiration. We have to establish new ways of sharing eternal knowledge, science and wisdom of Sanatan tradition and culture.”

Swami ji said that whoever is born on the soil of India is India’s jewel, Bharat Ratna. Everyone should try towards contributing according to their capacity to spread the glory of Mother India across the world. He said, “I had received offers to be awarded Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, and I have politely declined them, because a monk is above both respect and contempt.”

It is well known that Swami Ramdev Ji Maharaj's determination and unwavering efforts gave concrete shape to the global revolutions of Yoga, Ayurveda and Swadeshi. Under his leadership, Patanjali would be initiating three revolutionary changes; in the areas of Indian education system, Indian medical system and eternal knowledge of Sanatan tradition and culture, at a global level for  research on science and wisdom.

On the occasion, a documentary film based on the life of Swami Ramdev Ji Maharaj was also screened.

Tiago Mogadouro - Marketing Head, Madame Tussauds, New York, Assistant Manager Bain, Anshul Jain - General Manager, Madame Tussauds New Delhi, Acharya Balkrishna Ji Maharaj - Co-Founder of Patanjali Yogpeeth, were present at the event. Mata Sunita Pauddar - Chief Trustee of Patanjali Yogpeeth UK, S.K. Tijarawala - National Spokesperson of Reverend Swamiji, Pramod Joshi - CEO of Aastha Channel, Manoj Tyagi - CEO of Sanskar Channel, Rakesh Kumar – M.K.P. N.E. Bharat Swabhiman, were present amongst others.