The 12th edition of the International Day of Yoga was observed across India and around the world under the theme ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’, highlighting the role of yoga in promoting healthy and active living at every stage of life. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national flagship Yoga Day event at Red Road in Kolkata, where thousands of people participated in a mass yoga session.
Also, across the globe people participated in the mass yoga sessions, thus reverberating the ancient Indian wisdom. Indian Embassy’s in Bangladesh, Nepal, China and various other countries organised International Yoga Day celebrations drawing participants not just from the Indian daispora, but also from the local population and government authorities. Also, Foreign consulates operating in India, organised yoga day celebrations.
Yoga with roots in ancient India has universal significance: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres extended greetings on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, highlighting yoga’s global reach and its role in promoting physical and mental well-being across generations.
In a post on the X paltform, Guterres said yoga, which traces its origins to ancient India, has evolved into a universal practice embraced by people of all faiths and cultures. “From its deep roots in ancient India, yoga has become truly universal, helping millions of people of all faiths & cultures find calm, build strength & live with purpose”, Guterres said.
He noted that the practice promotes mindfulness, respect and care not only for individuals but also for society and the environment. The UN chief called for greater care for elderly populations and urged efforts to build a healthier world for all generations.
According to UN information, yoga is considered a valuable practice for healthy ageing, as it helps maintain key physical and mental abilities that enable individuals to remain active, independent and socially engaged as they grow older.
From its deep roots in ancient India, yoga has become truly universal, helping millions of people of all faiths & cultures find calm, build strength & live with purpose.
It teaches us mindfulness, respect & care for ourselves, for our planet & for one another.
On this #YogaDay,…
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) June 20, 2026
Yoga unites people with a shared sense of balance & well-being: British High Commission
The British High Commission in India marked International Yoga Day on Sunday, lauding the ancient Indian practice for uniting people worldwide. In a post on X, the British High Commission in India said, “On International Yoga Day, we join millions across the world in celebrating a practice that originated in ancient India and today unites people across the world in a shared sense of balance and wellbeing”.
British Deputy High Commission in Bengaluru also marked the International Yoga Day 2026, with a session on this year’s theme, ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’. In a post on X it said, “Our team marked International Yoga Day 2026, with a session on ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’. We join the High Commission of India in London, the Indian diaspora in the UK and communities worldwide, in celebrating Yoga and the living, breathing connection between our nations”.
On International #YogaDay, we join millions across the world in celebrating a practice that originated in ancient India and today unites people across the world in a shared sense of balance and wellbeing. pic.twitter.com/n4h8eh8paU
— UK in India🇬🇧🇮🇳 (@UKinIndia) June 21, 2026
Mass Yoga in Nepal’s Pokhra Stadium
Thousands of Yoga enthusiasts converged in Nepal’s Pokhara Stadium, observing International Yoga Day under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”. “The Indian Embassy in Nepal has been organising the event in Pokhara every year. This year, we have been participating in it and including this year, it is my fourth participatory year”, Surendra Raj Pandey, Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, told ANI.
Yoga has a long history in Nepal. Since 2036 BS, World Yoga Day has been observed in Nepal on Magh 1, marking the beginning of Uttarayan, under the initiative of yoga campaigner Hari Prasad Pokharel and various organisations working in the field of yoga. The observance was launched with the objective of reviving and promoting yoga, which has deep roots in the Himalayan region and Vedic traditions.
“Nepal, since early years, has been known for Yoga; the Himalayan and the hilly ranges are very suitable for Yoga; the Rishi-Munis also used to meditate in the base of the Himalayas and it has been passed on to generations. As these sorts of programs are being organised by the Indian Embassy in Nepal, this has further strengthened the relation between Nepal and India, especially it has been catering for the people-to-people connection”, Gandaki CM said.
Embassy of India in Nepal @IndiaInNepal, in association with Pokhara Metropolitan City @Pokharamun, organized a mega yoga demonstration at Pokhara Rangasala to celebrate the 12th International Day of Yoga.
The event was graced by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gandaki Province… pic.twitter.com/4NbT0Jv3Gb
— IndiaInNepal (@IndiaInNepal) June 21, 2026
Nepali President Ram Chandra Paudel has urged people to adopt yoga as an integral part of their daily lives, emphasising its role in promoting physical, mental and spiritual well-being. On the occasion of the 12th World Yoga Day, President Paudel extended his best wishes for happiness, peace, prosperity and good health to all Nepalis living in the country and abroad. He encouraged citizens to incorporate yoga practices into their everyday routines.
The President of Nepal called on people to embrace yoga as a lifestyle to cope with modern challenges such as stress, pollution and increasing competition. Similarly, Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav said regular yoga practice contributes not only to physical health but also to mental peace, positive thinking and spiritual growth.
Yoga day celebrations in Shanghai, China
The Consulate General of India in Shanghai celebrated the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026 at the Bund Finance Centre (BFC). The flagship event, organised under this year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, brought together 400 participants, including members of the diplomatic corps, academics, yoga practitioners, members of the Indian diaspora and friends of India in China.
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12th #IDY in China! Magic on the #Bund in Shanghai 🧘♂️ 🕉️💫
Consul General Shri Pratik Mathur was happy to host the splendid ceremony for the 12th edition of the International Day of Yoga in Shanghai with a majestic view of Pearl TV Tower at the historic #BUND along the… pic.twitter.com/8J9gL5FnjT
— India In Shanghai (@IndiaInShanghai) June 21, 2026
Indian Consulate General in Shanghai said that Consul General Pratik Mathur was happy to host the splendid ceremony for the 12th edition of the International Day of Yoga in Shanghai with a majestic view of Pearl TV Tower at the historic Bund along the banks of the Huangpu river, a major landmark which is a testament to the old historic links between India and China.
The historic location at the heart of the Yangtze river delta region, the growth hub of the region, provided the perfect backdrop to the closure of the 90-day burst of activities and programs built around IDY 2026 which unfolded since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion call in Mann ki Baat, the Consulate General said in its statement.
High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi joins yoga day celebrations in Dhaka
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi attended the 12th International Day of Yoga event in Dhaka, joining hundreds of participants celebrating yoga’s growing reach across the country.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from yoga practitioners, wellness organisations and the public. Attendees said the annual observance has become more popular and widespread in Bangladesh over the years.
A participant said it was his 6th year at the event, highlighted yoga’s holistic benefits and advised that one must do Yoga for at least 15-20 minutes a day for good health. Representatives from the Quantum Foundation, which has promoted yoga in Bangladesh for four decades, also joined the celebrations. They said that the popularity of Yoga is on the rise.
Another attendee echoed the same sentiment, “I am a member of the Academy for a Better World. We have been working for 25 years in Bangladesh. We are very happy to join this program. I think yoga is very helpful for our mind and body”.
Serbia Ambassador joins yoga day celebrations at Rishikesh
Serbia’s Ambassador to India, Sinisa Pavic, participated in the 12th International Day of Yoga celebrations in Rishikesh on and said it was an “immense pleasure” for him to mark his sixth Yoga Day in India, describing yoga and Ayurveda as key elements of India’s cultural identity and global outreach.
Speaking on the occasion, the Serbian envoy said the celebration by the banks of the Ganga was especially meaningful and highlighted how Yoga Day brings together diplomats from across the world. He noted that the initiative, strongly promoted under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has become a global platform for cultural connection and dialogue.
The ambassador further said that Yoga Day offered an opportunity to share experiences with colleagues from different countries, adding that the event in Rishikesh allowed participants to not only practice yoga together but also strengthen friendship and communication among nations.
Foreign tourists and students perform yoga at Shimla Ridge
Hundreds of people, including foreign tourists, students, security personnel and residents, participated in the 12th International Day of Yoga at the historic Ridge Ground in Shimla, highlighting the growing global appeal of the ancient Indian practice.
Among them was Alex, a tourist from Scotland, who expressed enthusiasm about continuing yoga practice after returning home. “We are trying to do yoga. We came yesterday and we just like to be part of this. We like it. I think we are going to keep doing it when we go home. It’s fun. It’s good and it’s not much back home, but we are going to carry it”, Alex told ANI.
(With Inputs from ANI)
