Dilip Guha, New Delhi : The national capital witnessed enthusiastic public participation in the 12th International Day of Yoga celebrations on Sunday, with yoga sessions organised at 40 prominent locations across Delhi under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.”
The celebrations, coordinated by the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Ministry of Culture, and several partner institutions, brought together people from all walks of life to promote wellness, healthy living, and preventive healthcare through the practice of yoga.
This year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” focuses on the role of yoga in enhancing flexibility, mobility, cardiovascular fitness, cognitive health, and overall quality of life. The theme also highlights the importance of adopting preventive and holistic approaches to health as populations around the world continue to age.
A major highlight of the day was the large-scale yoga session held at the historic Red Fort, where thousands of participants performed the Common Yoga Protocol against the backdrop of one of India’s most iconic monuments. Organised in collaboration with the Brahma Kumaris, the event showcased the convergence of India’s rich cultural heritage, spiritual traditions, and the enduring relevance of yoga.
The Red Fort programme was attended by Dr. (Prof.) Mahesh Dadhich, Chief Executive Officer of the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), and Dr Abdul Qayyum, Director (Technical), NMPB, along with several distinguished guests and yoga practitioners.
Across the city, yoga sessions were conducted at prominent public venues, including Kartavya Path, Shantipath Lawn, Lodhi Garden, Central Park in Connaught Place, Talkatora Garden, Swarn Jayanti Park, Siri Fort Sports Complex, Yamuna Sports Complex, Commonwealth Games Village Sports Complex, Aastha Kunj Park, and several heritage sites and green spaces. Several senior leaders and dignitaries also participated in the celebrations.
More than 5,000 people participated in the International Day of Yoga celebrations across eight prominent locations in the NDMC area on Sunday. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) stated that extensive arrangements had been made for the annual event, which was organised under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.” Various organisations, including Art of Living, Patanjali Yoga Samiti, Gayatri Parivar, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, Isha Yoga Centre, The Yogaguru Institute, Mokshayatan Yog Sansthan, and the International Naturopathy Organisation, conducted the sessions across the designated venues.
The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), celebrated the 12th International Day of Yoga by organising a special yoga session at the historic Purana Qila in New Delhi on June 21, 2026.
Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, joined the event along with senior officials of the Ministry, ASI personnel, CISF jawans, and schoolchildren. All participants performed yoga together, promoting the message of health, harmony, and unity.
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) celebrated the 12th International Yoga Day at Gandhi Darshan Ground in New Delhi. KVIC Chairman Manoj Goel was the Chief Guest at the event, where he encouraged participants to adopt a healthy and balanced lifestyle. As part of the celebration, he also planted a sapling on the office premises under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign. Mr Goel stated that both Yoga and Khadi have become global symbols of India’s cultural identity under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasised that the Prime Minister’s efforts to bring Yoga and Khadi closer to the public exemplify a remarkable renaissance of India’s cultural heritage.
It is pertinent to mention that, apart from government bodies and private institutions, residents from various colonies of the city also participated in celebrations in their respective areas. International Yoga Day was widely celebrated across Delhi-NCR, transforming local parks, residential complexes, and iconic landmarks into synchronised yoga venues. Residents, community groups, and RWAs participated enthusiastically, joining large-scale public events to promote fitness, mindfulness, and healthy ageing.
International Yoga Day 2026 was celebrated with great enthusiasm and community participation at the DDA Flats residential colony, Kalkaji, near Chittaranjan Park (CR Park), South Delhi, at Tankki Wala Park on Sunday morning. Despite limited preparation time and the challenges of organising a large-scale event amid the bustling Sunday market, the programme drew nearly 150 residents who came together to embrace the spirit of yoga and holistic well-being.
The event featured a mass yoga session conducted by trained instructors, promoting the importance of incorporating yoga into daily life for physical fitness, mental well-being, and stress management. Residents across all age groups participated in the session, reflecting the growing popularity of yoga as a tool for healthy living.
The programme was attended by local Councillor Smt. Ashu Thakur of CR Park, who appreciated the organisers’ efforts in bringing the community together and encouraging a healthier lifestyle through yoga. Participants lauded the initiative for fostering unity and wellness among residents.
Speaking about the successful organisation of the event, a key member of the organising committee, Mr Subrata Roy, expressed gratitude to the community and highlighted the role of faith, determination, and collective support in making the programme a success.
“I firmly believe that when a person’s thoughts and intentions are pure, God provides the right opportunities, resources, and people to support them. We had very little time to organise such a grand event, but there was no shortage of enthusiasm and sincerity. With God’s grace, my parents’ blessings, and the cooperation of residents, we were able to successfully conduct the programme despite the challenges,” he said.
Recalling the initial doubts expressed by some people regarding the short preparation period, he added, “Many told me that organising such a large event within two days would be difficult. But I believed that if people are invited with a sincere heart, they will come. Today’s success proves that faith, hard work, and a positive attitude can make even seemingly impossible tasks possible.”
The organiser emphasised that the achievement belonged not to any individual but to the entire community. “This success is a collective accomplishment made possible through everyone’s love, cooperation, blessings, and God’s grace. With sincerity and self-confidence, many impossible tasks can indeed be made possible,” he noted.
The celebration concluded with a message encouraging residents to adopt yoga as a regular practice and to continue working together to promote health, harmony, and community well-being.
The celebrations in Delhi formed part of nationwide and global observances of the 12th International Day of Yoga, which was marked across all states and Union Territories of India and in more than 180 countries worldwide. The large turnout at venues across the capital underscored yoga’s continuing appeal as a unifying force for health, harmony, and holistic well-being.
