India Leads Global Celebrations on International Yoga Day 2025
Massive yoga gatherings were held worldwide on Saturday to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga, with India hosting the largest events under the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the central event from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, where a beachfront session was held along a 28-kilometer stretch of coastline. Organizers claimed over 300,000 participants took part in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest yoga session, though final verification is pending.
Yoga events spanned the country, including the Indian military’s participation from high-altitude locations like the Siachen Glacier and naval ships in the Bay of Bengal. Border Security Forces also marked the day with sessions at key outposts, including the Wagah border.
Speaking during the event, Prime Minister Modi highlighted yoga’s role in promoting global harmony and mental well-being. “In times of tension and unrest, yoga is the pause button the world needs to heal,” he said.
Celebrations extended beyond India. In Colombo, Sri Lanka, hundreds gathered for a yoga session hosted by the Indian High Commission. Meanwhile in London, a special event was organized on the Strand in partnership with King’s College London. The British monarch’s message, delivered by High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami, praised yoga’s contribution to a healthier future.
In Jammu and Kashmir, a special yoga session was held atop the newly inaugurated Chenab Rail Bridge—the world’s highest rail bridge—symbolizing the blend of modern infrastructure and ancient wellness practices.
Yoga Day, first proposed by India and adopted by the UN in 2014, continues to grow in global popularity, with millions participating each year.
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