India marked a decade of yoga’s global recognition with a grand celebration of the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21, 2025, led by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. In what is being hailed as the largest and most inclusive edition of IDY to date, over 2 crore citizens participated in more than 1 lakh locations nationwide under the flagship initiative ‘Yoga Sangam’.
🧘 Main Event in Visakhapatnam: A Historic Gathering for Wellness
The main venue in Visakhapatnam witnessed an overwhelming turnout of over 3 lakh participants, with Prime Minister Modi leading the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) session from 6:30 AM to 7:45 AM. The Prime Minister was joined by:
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Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and MoS for Health & Family Welfare
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Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
The mass demonstration synchronized with over 11 lakh registered events nationwide, highlighting the unified spirit of India’s wellness movement and reaffirming its global leadership in yoga diplomacy.
🏆 Guinness World Record Attempt & Yoga Certificates Distribution
The Government of Andhra Pradesh, in coordination with the Ministry of Ayush, has undertaken a Guinness World Record attempt for the largest simultaneous yoga performance. Additionally, over 50 lakh yoga participation certificates are being issued to registered participants, emphasizing inclusivity, motivation, and civic pride in wellness practices.
🌅 108 Surya Namaskars by 25,000 Tribal Children
A standout prelude to the main event was organized at Andhra University, where 25,000 tribal children performed 108 Surya Namaskars in 108 minutes. This remarkable feat symbolized the grassroots integration of yoga in tribal and rural communities and spotlighted youth engagement in holistic health practices.
🕌 Delhi’s Grand Celebration at the Red Fort and Across 100+ Locations
In the national capital, Delhi, over 109 events were held across parks, schools, and public spaces. The Red Fort hosted a prominent session organized by Brahma Kumaris in collaboration with:
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Ministry of Ayush
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Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga
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Archaeological Survey of India
The historic venue was transformed into a vibrant space for celebrating the IDY 2025 theme: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” — an echo of India’s G20 philosophy and sustainable development vision.
🌍 Theme of IDY 2025: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”
The chosen theme underscores the interconnectedness of personal well-being and planetary health, drawing inspiration from India’s civilizational ethos:
“Sarve Santu Niramaya” (May all be free from illness).
This year’s message promotes eco-conscious living, mental and physical balance, and a collective responsibility toward wellness. The campaign encourages the use of yoga not just for individual fitness but also for global harmony and sustainable lifestyles.
🧩 PM’s Letter to Gram Pradhans: Grassroots Mobilization of Yoga
To ensure inclusive participation, Prime Minister Modi personally addressed a letter to Gram Pradhans, acknowledging yoga’s transformative impact across the globe and encouraging participation at the Panchayat, Anganwadi, and Community Health Center levels. This direct outreach resulted in widespread yoga celebrations across rural India, reinforcing the bottom-up approach of the campaign.
🔟 10 Signature Events: A Decadal Milestone Celebration
To mark 10 years of International Day of Yoga, the Ministry of Ayush curated 10 Signature Events rolled out over 100 days. These initiatives targeted diverse demographic groups and demonstrated the expanding footprint of yoga:
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Yoga Sangam – Mass participation events across 1 lakh+ venues
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Yoga Bandhan – International collaborations with global yoga practitioners
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Harit Yoga – Environment-focused activities like tree plantations
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Yoga Park – Conversion of public parks into dedicated yoga hubs
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Yoga Samavesh – Inclusion of marginalized communities with special protocols
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Yoga Prabhava – Launch of a 10-year impact report evaluating IDY’s societal benefits
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Yoga Connect – Global online summit featuring policymakers and yoga experts
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Yoga Unplugged – Youth-centric events combining tech, creativity, and tradition
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Yoga Maha Kumbh – Pan-India mega events blending spiritual and physical wellness
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Samyoga – Promotion of yoga in integration with modern medicine and healthcare systems
🌐 Global Engagement & Cultural Diplomacy
Indian Missions and cultural centers abroad played a pivotal role in internationalizing IDY 2025. From New York to Nairobi, Bangkok to Berlin, embassies organized yoga demonstrations, workshops, and cultural exchanges, reinforcing yoga as India’s soft power tool and gift to the world.
🧠 Whole-of-Government Approach
This grand initiative was coordinated through a Whole-of-Government approach, involving:
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Ministries and Departments
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State Governments and ULBs
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Educational institutions
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NGOs, spiritual organizations, and fitness groups
The Ministry of Ayush, in particular, led the coordination, ensuring holistic preparation through special drives, mass awareness, yoga competitions, and public engagements.
✅ Conclusion
The 11th International Day of Yoga stands as a historic testament to India’s unwavering commitment to holistic health, social inclusion, and global cooperation. From tribal communities and schoolchildren to international dignitaries and digital citizens, millions united in a single breath of harmony and mindfulness.
This decadal milestone reaffirms India’s message to the world: Yoga is not just a practice—it is a way of life, a path to planetary peace, and a legacy of wellness for generations to come.
As India leads the world in its pursuit of “One Earth, One Health,” Yoga emerges as the bridge between tradition and transformation, healing and hope.
For more details, check press release on PIB website.
For more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network.
