Kolkata to host national celebration of International Day of Yoga 2026; PM Modi likely to attend

Kolkata is set to become the epicenter of global wellness as it hosts the main national celebration for the International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21, 2026. The announcement was made by Union Minister of State for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, during the Yoga Mahotsav held at the historic Western Group of Temples in Khajuraho. This event officially marked the start of the 25-day countdown to the global observance, drawing thousands of enthusiasts for a mass demonstration of the Common Yoga Protocol. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend the event.

This year's theme, "Yoga for Healthy Ageing," emphasizes the vital role of yoga in maintaining physical vitality and mental clarity as people age. Minister Jadhav highlighted that Kolkata’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage makes it the ideal venue for this year's primary event. He reiterated the government's commitment, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to integrate yoga into the daily lives of citizens across schools, offices, and rural communities through extensive outreach.

The Khajuraho event also served as a platform for several digital and physical launches aimed at boosting public participation. The Minister relaunched the Yoga Sangam Portal for easy registrations and introduced the Yoga Park Portal to encourage the creation of dedicated yoga spaces nationwide. Additionally, a redesigned promotional T-shirt was unveiled, and it was noted that over two lakh people have already earned "Yog Mitra" certifications through the 100-day Yoga 365 Campaign.

Distinguished leaders, including Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and various state ministers, joined the ceremony to celebrate yoga as a symbol of India’s civilizational values. The gathering was urged to participate in a massive Guinness World Record attempt scheduled for June 14, 2026. As the countdown begins, the focus remains on yoga as a sustainable path to holistic health and a key pillar of preventive healthcare in an increasingly stressful world.