Last Updated on 18 June 2026 IST | International Yoga Day, also known as World Yoga Day, is celebrated every year on June 21 to promote the benefits of yoga worldwide. The word Yoga originates from Sanskrit and means “to unite” or “to join,” symbolizing the harmony of body, mind, and soul. The day aims to raise awareness about the positive impact of yoga on physical and mental health. Yoga helps reduce stress, improve fitness, and cultivate inner peace, while also encouraging a balanced approach to both material life and spiritual growth.
History of International Yoga Day
Yoga is an ancient art of physical, mental, and spiritual practice that gives calmness, peace, confidence, and courage to the people through which they can do several activities in a better way. At every level of existence, it is a state of harmony. Yoga is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity. It originated in pre-Vedic times in India approximately 6000 years ago and requires people to practice meditation in their daily lives so as to attain a healthy and strong life.
In ancient times, yoga was practiced by Hindus, Jain, and Buddhists. This ancient wisdom is also known as the supreme science of life. But in a developing world, looking upon the health benefits yoga provides, it is practiced all over the planet. Now the question is why we choose 21 June as the day of Yoga, and not any other day. Actually 21 June is the day of the summer solstice. A solstice is an event when the tilt of a planet’s axis in the northern hemisphere is most inclined towards the star that it orbits – in our case, the earth and the sun.
Now the question arises why chose 21 June as the day of Yoga, and not any other day? June 21 is considered as the longest day of the year with the sun rising early and setting late for the northern hemisphere. The summer solstice is also considered as an important day in Indian mythology as it marks an event that could be considered the start of Yogic science.
Who Is Known as the Father of Modern Yoga?
Tirumalai krishnamacharya is considered as the father of modern yoga. He was an Indian yoga teacher, ayurvedic healing and scholar. In the 20th century, he was known as one of the most influential yoga teachers.
Theme For International Yoga Day 2026?
The theme for the 2026 International Day of Yoga is “Yoga for Healthy Ageing“.
This theme emphasizes yoga’s role in promoting lifelong wellness, physical vitality, and mental clarity. It aligns globally with the World Health Organization’s Decade of Healthy Ageing by supporting mobility, balance, and independence as people grow older.
Where will International Yoga Day be celebrated in India?
The main national event for International Yoga Day on June 21, 2026, will be held in Kolkata (at the Red Road venue), with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the celebrations. This year’s theme is “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”.
In addition to the main event, synchronized celebrations will be held at 12 iconic heritage sites across the country. These designated locations include:
- Delhi: Red Fort
- Uttarakhand: Har Ki Pauri (Haridwar)
- Odisha: Konark Sun Temple
- Karnataka: Hampi Group of Monuments
- Ladakh: Leh Palace
- Tamil Nadu: Shore Temple (Mahabalipuram)
- Uttar Pradesh: Sarnath
- Arunachal Pradesh: Kanchari Fort
- Telangana: Charminar
- Maharashtra: Gateway of India
- Bihar: Nalanda Mahavihara
- Gujarat: Sabarmati Riverfront
You can check the MyBharat Events Platform to find and participate in registered mega-events in your local area.
Who introduced Yoga Day in India?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered the concept for the day during his speech at the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. The goal of International Yoga Day is to raise awareness of yoga’s benefits to the population of the country.
Importance of International Yoga Day
Yoga Day is important to make people aware of the benefits of Yoga. Yoga has medical benefits and it helps in curing many diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, alleviating physical injuries, and chronic pain. It helps us to live a healthy lifestyle. Apart from that, it helps a person to get mental peace, get relief from everyday stress, and help spread the message of love, peace, and oneness amongst the people of the world.
Why Is Yoga So Popular Among Fitness Seekers?
Yoga provides many health benefits. Most people practicing yoga report that they feel less stressed and have a better sense of well being. Many studies showed that yoga can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as promote good physical fitness. Many people ask Why Do People Do Yoga? The answer lies in the fact that most people do yoga for flexibility, stress relief, health, peace and physical fitness.
What Are the 10 Benefits of Yoga?
Benefits of Yoga: Yoga is very necessary and beneficial for all human beings if it is practised by all on a daily basis in the early morning. The benefits of Yoga include:-
- Increased muscle strength and tone.
- Increased flexibility.
- Improved respiration, energy, and vitality.
- Maintaining a balanced metabolism in the human being.
- Help in reducing weight and also help to maintain Cardio and circulatory health.
- Improved athletic performance.
- To help people get relief from everyday stress.
- To help people get over or fight various medical issues by practicing regular yoga.
- To help people know the benefit of yoga in sustaining a higher level of physical, mental and spiritual health.
- Help gain people attention over the holistic benefits of practicing the art of yoga.
Yoga Poses That Can Be Done Everyday
- Bridge (Banda Sarvangasana)
- Downward Facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
- Child pose (Balasana)
- Easy pose (Sukhasana)
- Warrior 1 (Virabhadrasana I)
- Warrior 2 ( Virabhadrasana II)
- Triangle (Trikonasana)
- Chair (Utkatasana)
What Is Bhakti Yoga?
This Yoga which is celebrated on 21st June is, however, not the one that can lead to spiritual well-being. That Yoga is Bhakti Yoga, i.e., the Yoga of doing worship. That is the real Yoga because ‘Yog’ literally means ‘connection’. This word was initially used with those who used to practice various types of religious acts in order to attain the Almighty, i.e. with those who used to try to connect (Yog) with God. And, those who used to practice the worship were named ‘Yogi’.
Then, these Yogis also started doing physical exercises to keep their bodies healthy because of not getting the right way of Worship, they used to practice worship by sitting idle at one place. This way, the physical exercises are also named ‘Yoga’ and are ignorantly associated with spirituality while this Yoga has nothing to do with Bhakti. Bhakti Yoga is different from this Yoga. Only Bhakti Yoga can lead to spiritual success. That true Bhakti Yoga, today, is being granted by Jagatguru Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj alone. If you wish to take Initiation from Jagatguru Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj, kindly fill the Online Naam Diksha Form
Can Yoga Lead to Salvation?
To attain salvation a soul will have to ascend towards Satlok. There is a specific path present in our human body to ascend to Satlok. There are three veins in our nervous system called the Ila, Pingala, and Sushumna. The practitioners of yoga are aware of the third eye or Trikuti, which is situated between the two eyebrows at the back of your head. However, the way towards Satlok is much higher than the crown chakra or Sahsar chakra which is situated above the third eye. The ones who meditate along with yoga can reach the crown chakra.
What Was the Purpose of Yoga?
Only the ones who are following the way of worship and meditation given by an enlightened saint can ascend to those higher realms which are partly in our body and partly outside it. There are five types of winds that regulate the workings of a human body, about which all the practitioners of yoga are aware.
■ Also Read: Can practicing yoga lead to salvation?
However, there are 7 other types of winds that assist a soul to ascend towards the eternal abode-Satlok. And only those who are practicing true worship will be able to take control over those 7 winds. Hence, it can be concluded that performing yoga and meditation alone cannot lead to salvation. There is more to it and only an enlightened saint can give you more information about it.
International Yoga Day 2026 Quotes
- “Be equal minded in both success and failure. Such equanimity is called Yoga”
- “The union of apana and prana, own rajas and semen, the sun and moon, soul with the supreme soul, the union of all dualities is called yoga”.
- “Surat Shabd Yoga is for the realisation of true-self”
- “Yoga is for the welfare of the body. This body is destructible. Perform Bhakti Yoga for the welfare of both your body and soul”.
International Yoga Day 2026 Conclusion
In today’s world, there are hundreds of sages and it is a difficult task to identify an enlightened sage. However, our holy books have given us information as to how an enlightened sage could be identified. An enlightened saint is one who is aware of the situation of this universe, who has seen Almighty and is aware of His eternal abode-Satlok and who has the knowledge about the deep and hidden secrets of Holy Scriptures of all the religions. That enlightened saint will be able to guide mankind on the route of true worship and meditation to attain Almighty and His eternal abode.
Who Is a True Saint?
Today there is only one saint in this whole world who is enlightened and is imparting the true spiritual knowledge from all our Holy Scriptures. His name is Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj. He is the only one who is capable of differentiating meditation during yoga sessions and meditation in a spiritual sense and what one individual can attain through either of the practices. To understand what He preaches one will have to listen to the spiritual discourses delivered by Him or read the Sacred books Way of Living.
FAQ about International Yoga Day
Tirumalai krishnamacharya is considered as the father of modern yoga. He was an Indian yoga teacher, ayurvedic healing and scholar. In the 20th century, he was known as one of the most influential yoga teachers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered the concept for the day during his speech at the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.
The goal of International Yoga Day is to raise awareness of yoga’s benefits to the world.
