Beijing/Washington: From Tokyo’s historic temples to the iconic Times Square in New York, yoga enthusiasts across the world came together on Sunday to celebrate the International Day of Yoga, reaffirming the ancient Indian practice’s growing appeal as a pathway to health, balance and well-being.
This year’s celebration was themed ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing.
In the land of the rising sun, Japan, despite rain, more than 2,100 yoga enthusiasts joined celebrations organised by the Indian Embassy at the historic Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple in Tokyo.
On the other end of the world, Yoga enthusiasts from diverse nationalities gathered at iconic Times Square in New York to celebrate IDY.
“Padma Dr H R Nagendra @HRNagendra1 highlighted yoga’s timeless relevance for healthy and harmonious living. This year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” reflects yoga’s enduring value in promoting wellness, longevity and holistic well-being,” the Consulate General of India, New York, posted on X.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, Embassy of India, Moscow, in
collaboration with the Moscow City Government, organised the IDY celebrations at the iconic Universitetskaya Square, Lomonosov Moscow State University.
Nearly 100 school children and teachers participated in IDY celebrations in Saudi Arabia.
In China, around 400 people, including diplomats, academics, yoga practitioners and members of the Indian diaspora, participated in celebrations organised by the Consulate General of India in Shanghai at the Bund Finance Centre.
India’s High Commissioner to the UK, P Kumaran, joined several members of the Indian diaspora and other UK-based yoga practitioners and performed asanas and meditative breathing exercises at Holland Park in central London.
In Germany, the Indian Embassy in Berlin, in collaboration with Art of Living, celebrated IDY with over 500 participants amidst the grandeur of the iconic Brandenburg Gate in thunderstorms.
A large number of people gathered at Old Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, to celebrate IDY under the guidance of Yoga Australia CEO Josh Pryor.
In Singapore, hundreds of Yoga enthusiasts, including a Minister of State and members of the Indian diaspora, came together on Sunday to celebrate the International Day of Yoga with enthusiasm and inclusivity.
People from the Kiwi, Indian, and other ethnic communities came together to celebrate the IDY at the premises of the High Commission of India in New Zealand.
The Embassy of India in Helsinki organised a special yoga session at the iconic Oodi Library, located opposite to the Finland Parliament House.
Over 1,100 yoga enthusiasts came together for yoga day celebrations organised by the High Commission of India & Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Yoga Enthusiasts gathered at the iconic Arco della Pace in Milan, Italy, to celebrate the IDY, the Consulate General of India in Milan said in a post on X. The IDY event at the India House, Ankara, was attended by over 250 participants.
The Indian mission in Barcelona celebrated the IDY at Parc de Joan Miro, in collaboration with the Indian Culture Centre and The Yoga Gallery. Around 150 participants joined the event.
In neighbouring Bangladesh, the High Commission of India in Bangladesh brought together participants of all ages to celebrate the occasion.
«Their enthusiastic participation reflected the spirit of this year›s theme, ‹Yoga for Healthy Ageing›, and underscored yoga›s relevance across every stage of life,» the Indian mission in Dhaka said.
The Embassy of India in Nepal also organised a mega yoga demonstration at Pokhara Rangasala in association with Pokhara Metropolitan City.
In some countries, the events to mark the IDY started days ahead.
In Canada, the Consulate General of India in Toronto marked the International Day of Yoga with a large gathering against the backdrop of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on Saturday. It witnessed around 800 participants.
Indian missions in several other countries, including Slovenia, Romania, Indonesia, Oman, UAE, Nigeria, Denmark, Kenya, Scotland, Mozambique, Ireland, Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan also organised yoga sessions and events to mark the occasion.
