The 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) was celebrated with unprecedented participation across India and around the world, with more than three crore people taking part in events under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, the Ministry of Ayush said on Tuesday.
The celebrations, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, witnessed large-scale yoga sessions across the country, including a major event at Kolkata’s Red Road attended by around 35,000 participants. Yoga programmes were also organised in several countries, including the United States, France, Germany and Egypt, highlighting the growing global acceptance of yoga as a tool for health and well-being.
According to the ministry, the Yoga Sangam portal recorded participation from over 3.07 crore individuals across 780 districts in 36 states and Union Territories. More than 7.64 lakh organisations registered for the initiative, including government institutions, educational bodies, NGOs and private organisations.
President Droupadi Murmu participated in a mass yoga demonstration in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, while Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan joined celebrations in Leh. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla led a yoga session with Members of Parliament at the Parliament House complex.
A major highlight of this year’s celebrations was the “Gangotri to Gangasagar” campaign, which covered nearly 2,525 km along the Ganga and connected key locations through yoga sessions and awareness programmes. Ahead of the main event, West Bengal hosted several public outreach initiatives, including marathons, cultural programmes and a drone show showcasing India’s yoga journey.
Yoga sessions were organised at several iconic locations across the country, including the Red Fort, Har Ki Pauri, Konark Sun Temple, Hampi, Leh Palace, Mahabalipuram, Sarnath, Charminar, Gateway of India and Nalanda Mahavihara.
The celebrations also saw extensive participation from various ministries, the armed forces and youth organisations. The Ministry of Defence organised yoga sessions from Siachen Glacier to Kanyakumari and aboard naval platforms at sea. The National Cadet Corps (NCC) reported participation of over 8.3 lakh cadets across more than 5,000 locations nationwide.
The Ministry of Ayush said IDY 2026 reinforced yoga’s role in promoting physical fitness, mental well-being and healthy ageing, while strengthening India’s efforts to position yoga as a global movement for holistic wellness.
