KATHMANDU, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Nepali people celebrated the 4th International Day of Yoga with enthusiasm across the country on Thursday.

A special mass yoga demonstration was held in the premises of Nepal Police Training Academy in capital Kathmandu where people from different walks of life participated despite rainfall since early morning.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ishwor Pokharel, along with yoga enthusiasts, performed yoga postures in an hour-long event. The event was jointly hosted by the Nepali government and a yoga foundation.

Addressing the event, the minister said that the discipline of yoga helps to maintain a healthy and beautiful life.

"Yoga not just connects humanity with spirituality but also connects human beings with each other. It contributes in seeking truth and knowing self so it's very important to promote yoga," Pokharel said.

The Nepali government has been celebrating the day formally after it was declared by the United Nations in 2015.

On the occasion, the participants performed various yoga postures following the instruction of yoga gurus. School students also participated in yoga demonstrations to explore the new dimension of self and clarity.

Yoga has been gaining wide popularity in Nepal in recent times. Since various health problems like gastritis, diabetes and uterus ailments are quite common in Nepal, people regard yoga as a perfect medium to fight such diseases.