Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations on June 21, 2026, at Kolkata's historic Red Road.
The Ministry of Ayush announced this during a curtain-raiser event in New Delhi, highlighting the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing' and global participation at 2,500 locations.
Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav emphasized the importance of yoga in promoting health and dignity across generations, especially as people live longer.
He noted that over four lakh participants recently set a Guinness World Record in a nationwide yoga session, showcasing the growing enthusiasm for yoga.
The global outreach includes events organized by 210 Indian Missions abroad, coordinated with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Special celebrations will also take place at 100 iconic locations across India, blending yoga with cultural heritage.
Leading up to the main event, Kolkata will host activities like 'Doud se Dhyan' on June 19 and 'Vande Yogam' on June 20. Additionally, the ongoing 'Ganga Tat Yoga Yatra' connects yoga with environmental awareness and community participation.
The Ministry of Ayush highlighted the transformative journey of yoga from an Indian tradition to a global health movement, initiated by India's proposal at the United Nations in 2014. Citizens are encouraged to join the celebrations and embrace yoga for a healthier life.
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