The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is organizing one of India's largest public celebrations of wellness and preventive healthcare for the 12th International Day of Yoga at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and actor Akshay Kumar will lead a mass yoga session with 3,000 participants under the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing'. The event features a special guided yoga session by celebrity instructor Anshuka Parwani.
Nationwide celebrations will occur simultaneously across all Sports Authority of India Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence, SAI Training Centres, and Khelo India institutions, with over 15,000 participants expected nationwide. Additional events will be held by National Sports Federations, State Sports Departments, and Sports Universities, bringing together the entire sports ecosystem.
The International Day of Yoga was adopted by the United Nations in 2014 following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposal, and has since grown into a worldwide celebration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The 2026 event is expected to witness participation from millions of people across more than 180 countries, representing one of the world's largest wellness movements with India at its forefront.
The celebration will bring together athletes, students, senior citizens, fitness enthusiasts, yoga practitioners, and families in a collective demonstration of yoga's transformative power. Initiatives such as Fit India Sundays on Cycle and Yoga Day reinforce India's leadership in promoting a healthier, more active, and sustainable way of life for the global community.