New Delhi: India led the world in celebrating the 11th International Day of Yoga, with the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” The day witnessed mass participation across the country and abroad, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the central celebration in Visakhapatnam. The nationwide observance underscored yoga’s growing role in personal wellness, stress management, and global health consciousness.
This year’s International Day of Yoga was observed with unprecedented enthusiasm and scale across India and various parts of the world. Over 2 crore people participated in yoga sessions across 1 lakh locations, practicing the government-recommended Common Yoga Protocol in public parks, schools, beaches, and even aboard naval ships.
PM Modi Leads National Celebration from Visakhapatnam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the official International Yoga Day celebrations from RK Beach, Visakhapatnam, where more than 3 lakh people, including members of the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and local residents, took part in a mass yoga demonstration by the sea. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of yoga in fostering peace of mind and physical health, describing it as “the pause button humanity needs in a fast-paced world.”
Theme 2025: “One Earth, One Health”
The 2025 theme, “One Earth, One Health,” reflects the interconnectedness of individual well-being with planetary health. It promotes yoga not only as a personal practice but also as a contribution toward sustainable living and harmony with nature.
Participation Across India
In cities like Kanpur, nearly 10,000 people gathered at Green Park Stadium as early as 7:00 AM. Events were organized with digital check-ins, QR-code certificates, guided sessions, and musical yoga demonstrations by volunteers from organizations like the Art of Living. Similar events were conducted in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and across rural areas.
In Kerala, the state observed yoga day through 780 registered yoga centers and over 10,000 yoga clubs, as confirmed by Health Minister Veena George. She highlighted how yoga is being actively promoted for mental wellness and tourism under the state’s health initiatives.
Global Observance
Indian embassies and consulates in London, Tokyo, Canberra, and Dubai hosted yoga sessions. In Tokyo, the wife of Japan’s Prime Minister led a symbolic session. Indian soldiers at the Siachen Glacier, the highest battleground on Earth, also performed yoga in freezing temperatures, demonstrating its importance in extreme conditions.
Yoga Sangam Portal
The AYUSH Ministry launched the Yoga Sangam 2025 Portal to facilitate registration, certification, and access to instructional material. The portal witnessed lakhs of entries in the lead-up to the day, aiming to bring structure and inclusivity to the global movement.
Celebrities and Wellness Advocates Join In
Bollywood celebrities like Raveena Tandon, Hina Khan, and Pankaj Tripathi shared their stories of using yoga to overcome challenges such as mental health issues, trauma, and post-COVID fatigue. Their messages on social media added momentum to the day’s message of healing and resilience.
From remote Himalayan bases to global metropolises, International Yoga Day 2025 demonstrated how yoga transcends boundaries and brings together people of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities. With its emphasis on holistic health and global harmony, this year’s celebrations affirmed India’s continued leadership in promoting yoga as a global wellness practice.
