Yoga Mahotsav to Begin National Countdown for International Day of Yoga

New Delhi | 12 March 2026 Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, functioning under the Ministry of Ayush, is set to organise Yoga Mahotsav 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan on March 13. The event will mark the beginning of the nationwide countdown leading to the celebration of the International Day of Yoga in June. The programme is expected to start in the morning and will launch a large outreach initiative aimed at spreading awareness about yoga across the country. As part of the campaign, several organisations will participate in promoting yoga activities in different cities across India. These initiatives are planned to encourage more people to include yoga in their daily lives and to strengthen public engagement ahead of the global celebration held every year on June 21. The ministry believes that this phase of preparation plays an important role in expanding the reach of yoga among different communities. Several key personalities are expected to attend the event, including Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav, Ayush Secretary Rajesh Kotecha, President of the S‑VYASA Society H. R. Nagendra, and Joint Secretary in the ministry Monalisa Dash. The gathering will also bring together yoga gurus, experts from both traditional and modern medical fields, and yoga practitioners from across the country. During the event, the minister highlighted the global recognition yoga has received over the years. He said that the United Nations declared June 21 as International Day of Yoga in 2014 following an initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling the worldwide acceptance of yoga a matter of pride for India. The government is also planning to hold special yoga sessions at several iconic locations across the country as part of the preparations for the upcoming celebration. Yoga Mahotsav to Begin National Countdown for International Day of Yoga Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, functioning under the Ministry of Ayush, is set to organise Yoga Mahotsav 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan on March 13. The event will mark the beginning of the nationwide countdown leading to the celebration of the International Day of Yoga in June. The programme is expected to start in the morning and will launch a large outreach initiative aimed at spreading awareness about yoga across the country. As part of the campaign, several organisations will participate in promoting yoga activities in different cities across India. These initiatives are planned to encourage more people to include yoga in their daily lives and to strengthen public engagement ahead of the global celebration held every year on June 21. The ministry believes that this phase of preparation plays an important role in expanding the reach of yoga among different communities. Several key personalities are expected to attend the event, including Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav, Ayush Secretary Rajesh Kotecha, President of the S‑VYASA Society H. R. Nagendra, and Joint Secretary in the ministry Monalisa Dash. The gathering will also bring together yoga gurus, experts from both traditional and modern medical fields, and yoga practitioners from across the country. During the event, the minister highlighted the global recognition yoga has received over the years. He said that the United Nations declared June 21 as International Day of Yoga in 2014 following an initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling the worldwide acceptance of yoga a matter of pride for India. The government is also planning to hold special yoga sessions at several iconic locations across the country as part of the preparations for the upcoming celebration.