10th International Yoga Day: How PM Modi cultivated a global celebration over the years

PM Modi will celebrate International Yoga Day in Srinagar this year

Narendra Modi has been leading the celebrations of the International Day of Yoga since it started on June 21, 2015, a year after he came to power as the prime minister of India.

In recognition of yoga's universal appeal, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga on December 11, 2014, following a proposal by India that was endorsed by 175 member states.

This year is the tenth edition of the International Yoga Day and the Indian tradition is being hailed around the world with thousands of people participating in the celebration of well-being.

First Yoga Day - Delhi, 2015

The first International Yoga Day event took place at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. With the theme ‘Yoga for Harmony and Peace’, a large crowd, including PM Modi and leaders from various countries, performed 21 yoga poses for 35 minutes. The event set two Guinness World Records: one for the largest yoga class with 35,985 participants and another for the most nationalities represented, with participants from 84 countries.

Second Yoga Day - Chandigarh, 2016

In 2016, the celebrations were held at Capitol Complex in Chandigarh with the theme ‘Yoga for the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals’. PM Modi led the event as usual, joined by over 30,000 yoga enthusiasts, and championed yoga's role in promoting better physical and mental health.

Third Yoga Day - Lucknow, 2017

The third International Day of Yoga, themed ‘Yoga for Health’, was celebrated at Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan in Lucknow. PM Modi led a mass yoga demonstration with over 51,000 participants, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Fourth Yoga Day - Dehradun, 2018

The main event for the fourth International Day of Yoga was held at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, with the theme ‘Yoga for Peace’. PM Modi led the celebrations with 50,000 volunteers.

Fifth Yoga Day - Ranchi, 2019

The Jharkhand capital hosted the fifth International Yoga Day, with the theme ‘Yoga for Heart’. PM Modi led a crowd of over 40,000 people, highlighting yoga's importance for overall health.

Sixth and Seventh Yoga Days - Virtual Celebrations, 2020 and 2021

Mass gatherings were avoided in 2020 and 2021 because of the Covid pandemic. The themes were ‘Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family’ in 2020 and ‘Yoga for Wellness’ in 2021. Both the years saw people practising yoga at home, and PM Modi addressed the nation, emphasizing yoga's role in providing strength and confidence during the pandemic.

Eighth Yoga Day - Mysuru, 2022

In 2022, the eighth International Day of Yoga was celebrated at Mysuru Palace Ground in Karnataka, with the theme ‘Yoga for Humanity’. PM Modi led a mass yoga demonstration with 15,000 participants, and the day featured initiatives like the ‘Guardian Ring’ programme involving 79 countries and UN organisations.

Ninth Yoga Day - UN Headquarters, New York, 2023

PM Modi led the ninth International Day of Yoga at the UN Headquarters in New York City. The theme was ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or 'One Earth. One Family. One Future'. The event saw participation from thousands of yoga enthusiasts from over 135 nationalities, setting a Guinness World Record for the most nationalities in a yoga session.

Tenth Yoga Day - Srinagar, 2024

The 10th International Day of Yoga is being celebrated at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. This year's theme, ‘Yoga for Self and Society’, underscores yoga's dual role in fostering individual and societal well-being. PM Modi, elected to office for a third consecutive term, is leading the event, continuing his tradition of promoting yoga globally.