A yoga session in Nagpur on Saturday as part of International Yoga Day. PTI Photo.
International Yoga Day LIVE: From Kanyakumari to Siachen, yoga 'mania' grips nation
Yoga has now become part of the lives of crores of people around the world, says Modi in Visakhapatnam
Yoga leads people on a journey towards oneness with the world while the International Yoga Day marks the beginning of the ancient practice for humanity where inner peace becomes global policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday (June 21).
Addressing the 11th International Yoga day-participants in Visakhapatnam, Modi said when India proposed June 21 to be celebrated as International Yoga day in the United Nations, in a short time 175 countries accepted it.
After 11 years, yoga has now become part of the lives of crores of people around the world, he further said adding. "Whether the Sydney Opera House or Everest mountain or the span of the ocean, the message is that yoga is for everyone."
The PM said some tensions or others were happening around the world.
‘Yoga for humanity 2.0’
"My request to the world - let this Yoga day mark the beginning of yoga for humanity 2.0 where inner peace becomes global policy," he said.
He further said yoga leads us on a journey towards oneness with the world.
Further, Yoga is for everyone, beyond boundaries, backgrounds, age or ability, the PM said.
Also Read: International Yoga Day: How asanas can boost liver, heart, kidney health
“Yoga is a great personal discipline, also a system that takes people from ‘Me to We’ and is the pause button that humanity needs to breath, balance to become whole again,” he added.
The PM later joined the volunteers to perform Yoga.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also spoke at the event.
‘Global wellness movement’
Naidu said Modi made yoga popular not only in India but across the world, turning it into a global wellness movement.
Naidu highlighted that Yoga Day is being celebrated in more than 175 countries, across 12 lakh locations with the participation of over 10 crore people.
Also Read: Thoughtful ways to greet others on International Yoga Day
"I am thanking our visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making Yoga popular not only in India (but also) across the world. He started International Yoga Day through the United Nations and made yoga a global wellness movement," said Naidu.
Live Updates
- 21 Jun 2025 3:01 PM IST
Yoga a way of life: NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava
National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava on Saturday said yoga is not just a form of exercise but a way of life that instils discipline, harmony and mindfulness.
He was addressing a gathering at the NGT on the occasion of International Day of Yoga. A special yoga session was also held on the premises.
Justice Shrivastava underlined the holistic benefits of yoga for both physical and mental health, and the importance of health, balance and mindful living in today's fast-paced world.
"Yoga is not just a form of exercise but a way of life that instils discipline, harmony, and mindfulness -- values essential for both individual well-being and environmental consciousness," he said.
- 21 Jun 2025 2:49 PM IST
Yoga with Gaumata: Gau Rashtra Yatra witnesses a rare celebration
On the Occasion of International Yoga Day 2025, the Gau Rashtra Yatra witnessed a rare celebration in which Yoga with Gaumata took place. Yoga with Gaumata Program, held in the spiritually charged atmosphere of Keshav Gir Gaushala, a gaushala run by Praveen Singh Sethi and Vandana Sethi.
The sunrise event began at 6 A.M, where the sacred presence of 500+ indigenous cows, the chants of Vedic Mantras, and the collective spirit of 1000+ attendees created an unforgettable ambience.
The Yoga with Gaumata session has been organised by renowned instructors with over 20 years of experience, who have integrated traditional Asanas, Pranayama, meditative silence, and mindful breathing techniques. However, what truly made the Yoga with Gaumata Program 2025 extraordinary and impactful was Yoga in the presence of Moo creatures (Cows).
As participants stretched and meditated, Gaumatas calmly grazed nearby, creating a natural Gau-Aura that deepened every breath and every posture.
- 21 Jun 2025 2:46 PM IST
Yoga reduces risk of diseases; practise it daily: Chhattisgarh CM
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday said yoga not only cures serious illnesses, but also reduces their risk, and appealed to everyone to set aside some time every day to practise this ancient Indian system.
State Governor Ramen Deka said yoga is India's ancient discipline, which connects the body with mind and soul. He also said regular practice of yoga channels energy in the right direction and makes one a responsible citizen.
- 21 Jun 2025 2:43 PM IST
Mangaluru hosts unique 'Jala yoga' event in swimming pool
As the 11th International Yoga Day is being celebrated with much fanfare everywhere on Saturday, the coastal city of Mangaluru celebrated the occasion with a distinctive aquatic twist — through Jala yoga, or water yoga.
Held at the Mangaluru City Corporation Swimming Pool, the event saw around 40 members of an amateur swimmers’ group perform yoga postures such as Padmasana and Shavasana while floating in 16-feet-deep water.
The organisers of the event highlighted how water yoga—a blend of traditional yoga postures, breathing techniques, and meditation practiced in water — can enhance both physical fitness and mental relaxation.
- 21 Jun 2025 2:42 PM IST
10,000 people perform yoga at JNPA event in Navi Mumbai
As many as 10,000 people participated in a yoga session organised by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), India's largest container port, at Uran in Navi Mumbai on the occasion of International Yoga Day.
The JNPA claimed the 'Yoga Sangam' was the second largest Yoga session in India held on Saturday.
- 21 Jun 2025 2:33 PM IST
250 people participate in ASI's yoga day event at temple complex in Lonar
At least 250 people participated in the International Yoga Day event organised by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the Gaimukh Temple complex in Lonar, Maharashtra, on Saturday.
The temple complex is a protected monument located in the vicinity of the Lonar crater in Buldhana district.
As per a release issued by the ASI, the event was organised based on the theme, "One Earth, One Health".
- 21 Jun 2025 2:31 PM IST
Gujarat: Amit Shah, CM Bhupendra Patel take part in Yoga Day celebrations
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel celebrated the International Yoga Day on Saturday by participating in yoga-related events at different places of the state.
While Shah performed yoga with citizens at Prahladnagar Garden in Ahmedabad city, CM Patel participated in the mass yoga session in Vadnagar town of Mehsana district, the birthplace of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
