A bridge between India and Scotland' - that is what Wee Cumbrae looks set to become with as many as 20,000 pilgrims primed to visit each year.

The island's new owners, Sam and Sunita Poddar, welcomed hundreds for the inauguration of the international Patanjali Yog Peeth Trust headquarters on Sunday, as millions more watched a live telecast on satellite channel Aastha TV.

Around 350 visitors specially made the journey to Wee Cumbrae from India for the occasion and many locals also attended the historic gathering, which included a special ceremony by internationally-renowned yoga guru Swami Ramdev Ji.

Noted speakers included Mohammad Sarwar MP and several prominent Hindu leaders from across Britain and India.

However, it was Provost of North Ayrshire and local councillor, Bobby Rae, who stated his belief that the 700 acre island - known to its owners as 'Peace Island' - would soon "become a worldwide tourist destination".

Swami Ramdev Ji called it "a gate of pilgrimage" while another speaker said it would become "an international yoga training centre for the world". London-based travel agent Abhishek Varma told the 'News' that he had arranged for 350 Indian pilgrims to attend the open day, but was hopeful of securing an exclusive deal that would see as many as 20,000 visitors travelling to the island every year.

He said: "We are the first travel agent to do that." Yet, on Sunday, police stated that hundreds were forced to remain in Millport and Fairlie after being told they could not be accommodated on the island.

The Poddars' daughter Arti, 25, said of the day: "It's been stressful, but it's a good stress. It's been so much work but it's been worth it - it's taken six weeks." At around 9.30am, Swami Ramdev Ji - who has some 80 million followers - emerged from the Victorian mansion house and was met by a scrum of 30 photographers.

Dressed in woodblock sandals and flowing saffron robes, he posed in various positions and demonstrated his breathing exercises for the cameras.

One Indian onlooker told the 'News': "He is like a demi-god. People would die for him." A press briefing followed on the mansion's lawn where reporters from the BBC, Sky News, and The Times gathered to hear Glasgow care home owner Mrs Poddar, 49, state: "Welcome to Wee Cumbrae for this historic event. Today is a celebration." Recalling her first visit to the island and speaking of her hopes for the future after concluding the £2 million sale in August, she said: "I felt that this was where we should have our Yog centre. I was so sure this was it." Speaking through a translator, Swami Ramdev Ji added: "Yoga is self-healing. It's a comprehensive philosophy of our life and the universe. We can get the whole solution of life through it. Little Cumbrae has been chosen as the centre of pilgrimage.

"We invite all the Scottish brothers and sisters along with our Indian brothers and sisters to make a healthy and prosperous Scotland, UK and the world." He added that the beauty of Wee Cumbrae was "like the Ganges River, the Himalayas" and he had made "a very solemn commitment to protect the island".

Through Wee Cumbrae, the guru stated, "the body and the mind will be brought together".

He also claimed that "you can cure asthma through breathing" but stated other claims that his techniques could cure cancer and Aids had not come from him but rather from the numerous testimonies of his followers.

Asked if they could achieve their vision in just 10 years, Sunita replied: "It takes time. We say, 'Come and practice this'. If I can convince 10 more people, and then they can guarantee they will help 10 more then we can do it. Practice it for four or five days - there's nothing to lose." Mrs Poddar said that she envisaged "thousands and thousands" coming to the island in the near future.

Speaking in a specially erected marquee, Provost Bobby Rae welcomed the new owners and their guests to the island and said: "Sadly, it's been largely inaccessible. It gives me great pleasure to say that's about to change. We welcome Mr and Mrs Poddar.

"We are really enthused by Sunita's plans. There's no doubt in my mind the retreat will boost tourism in the area. Wee Cumbrae is set to become a worldwide tourist destination." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAr0p8HghOg&feature=channel_page