Shimla, June 21 (IANS): Braving rain, senior BJP leaders L.K. Advani and union minister Smriti Irani participated in yoga camps held in Himachal Pradesh on Sunday.

Over 1,000 people, comprising government and retired employees, students and some tourists, participated in a yoga camp organised in this Himachal Pradesh capital.

Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani participated here despite intermittent showers. Local legislator Suresh Bhardwaj was also present.

Senior BJP leader L.K. Advani attended the yoga camp at Palampur, the hometown of Lok Sabha member Shanta Kumar.

"What a relaxing morning," remarked Pankaj Sinha, a tourist from Delhi who is holidaying in Shimla with his family.

The state had announced to celebrate the International Yoga Day by involving schools, colleges, universities, public, yoga institutions, police personnel, NCC cadets in uniform, National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers and Nehru Yuva Kendras.

Over 300 army personnel of 1st Assam and their families participated in yoga exercises at Annandale, the picturesque ground in Shimla surrounded by thick forests.

Smriti Irani also participated in the yoga session organised by the Art of Living Foundation at the historic Ridge here, where more than 500 people participated.

BJP leader and two-time former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal participated in a yoga camp held in his home constituency Hamirpur town.