India is set to mark the 10th anniversary of International Yoga Day on June 21, 2025, with a record-breaking scale of celebration. More than 2,000 yoga events will be organized across 1,300 global locations, spanning 191 countries. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the cultural wing of the Ministry of External Affairs, is spearheading the effort, showcasing yoga not just as an ancient practice, but as a powerful symbol of India's soft power and cultural diplomacy.
The theme for this year's Yoga Day is "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," reflecting a global vision of health, unity, and environmental sustainability. This theme is in alignment with India’s G20 presidency slogan, “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” emphasizing yoga's role in promoting planetary well-being and personal wellness.
Among the many unique highlights is the 'Yoga Bandhan' initiative, featuring 17 yoga gurus from 15 different countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Russia, China, South Africa, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Singapore, and South Korea. These international yoga practitioners will lead sessions across iconic Indian locations such as Jantar Mantar, Qutub Minar, Purana Quila, and Humayun's Tomb in Delhi, as well as in historic cities like Varanasi, Ayodhya, Jaipur, and Bhopal.
Global Reach and Cultural Unity
The ICCR's Director General K Nandini Singla confirmed that yoga events are being conducted virtually in every country across the globe. In major countries like the United States, multiple sessions are being organized in various cities. Notably, the Indian High Commission in Pakistan is also holding a yoga event in Islamabad, reflecting yoga’s ability to transcend political and cultural boundaries.
Yoga demonstrations and sessions began days in advance, such as in Agra, where women were seen performing yoga at the Dussehra Ghat behind the Taj Mahal. Preparations began months ago, with the ICCR hosting global countdown campaigns including 100-day, 75-day, 50-day, and 25-day milestones to raise awareness. In the lead-up, Indian embassies and cultural centres worldwide hosted events to build momentum.
The ICCR has emphasized that yoga is now a global movement, with political leaders, police officers, judges, and public servants in several countries regularly practicing it. The return of international yoga experts to lead events in India demonstrates the full circle of yoga’s journey originating from India, embraced globally, and now reintroduced back home through foreign practitioners.
This year’s celebration is not just a ceremonial one but aims to solidify yoga’s place as a daily wellness practice for people across all cultures. With its theme promoting interconnected health and environmental consciousness, International Yoga Day 2025 underscores the growing recognition of yoga not just as exercise, but as a holistic philosophy for global harmony.
