A Look At PM Modi's Yoga Day Celebrations Over The Years

Since the United Nations declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been at the forefront of the celebrations. Over the years, he has led Yoga Day events from iconic locations across India and abroad, turning the occasion into a global movement promoting wellness and mindfulness. As the country gears up for the 12th International Day of Yoga in 2026, here’s a look back at PM Modi’s Yoga Day journey.

2015: The first International Day of Yoga was celebrated on Rajpath (now Kartavya Path) in New Delhi. Thousands of participants joined PM Modi, setting two Guinness World Records, including the largest yoga class.

2016: The second edition took place in Chandigarh, where PM Modi performed yoga with thousands of enthusiasts despite overcast weather.

2017: Heavy rains failed to dampen spirits as the Prime Minister led Yoga Day celebrations in Lucknow, highlighting yoga's role in achieving a healthy life.

2018: The event moved to the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun, where PM Modi was joined by over 50,000 participants.

2019: PM Modi led the celebrations from Ranchi's Prabhat Tara Ground, emphasizing yoga as a unifying force beyond age, religion and nationality.

2020 and 2021: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event shifted online. PM Modi addressed the nation virtually and urged people to practice yoga from home.

2022: As restrictions eased, PM Modi led the event from the Mysore Palace grounds. The celebrations marked the launch of the 'Guardian Ring' initiative, linking yoga events across time zones.

2023: During his state visit to the United States, PM Modi led a special Yoga Day session at the UN headquarters in New York, attended by representatives from over 180 countries.

2024: The Prime Minister celebrated Yoga Day at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre overlooking Dal Lake. Due to rain, the programme was shifted indoors, but participation remained high.

2025: PM Modi led the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations from Visakhapatnam, where over three lakh people participated. The theme was "Yoga for One Earth, One Health."