India Celebrates 11th International Day of Yoga with Record-Breaking Participation

Tens of thousands of people across India gathered in public parks and on sandy beaches Saturday to mark the 11th International Day of Yoga, with mass yoga sessions held in many Indian states, as well as in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. The event, which was designated by the United Nations in 2014 at the initiative of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed to promote the benefits of yoga, which has become one of India's most successful cultural exports after Bollywood. The theme of this year's event was "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," and it was attended by Modi, who performed yoga among a seaside crowd in the southern city of Visakhapatnam.

Key Takeaways:

• Tens of thousands of people participated in mass yoga sessions across India, with events held in many Indian states and in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.
• The event aimed to promote the benefits of yoga, which has become one of India's most successful cultural exports after Bollywood.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed yoga among a seaside crowd in the southern city of Visakhapatnam and emphasized the importance of yoga in achieving world peace.
• The theme of this year's event was "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," highlighting the benefits of yoga for both physical and mental well-being.
• Indian military personnel participated in yoga sessions, including in the icy heights of Siachen Glacier in the Himalayas and on naval ships anchored in the Bay of Bengal.
• Scores of people from all walks of life and age groups gathered at the sprawling Lodhi Gardens in New Delhi, following an instructor on stage.
• Participants emphasized the importance of yoga in managing stress, improving mental and physical fitness, and achieving inner peace.
• Indian military personnel, ministers, government officials, and celebrities used social media to promote yoga and show case their yoga poses.

Statistics:

• Tens of thousands of people participated in mass yoga sessions across India.
• Events were held in many Indian states, as well as in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.
• The theme of this year's event was "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," highlighting the benefits of yoga for both physical and mental well-being.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed yoga among a seaside crowd in the southern city of Visakhapatnam.
• Indian military personnel participated in yoga sessions, including in the icy heights of Siachen Glacier in the Himalayas and on naval ships anchored in the Bay of Bengal.

Sources:

• The Associated Press, Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.