The main celebration of the International Day of Yoga 2026 will be held in Kolkata on June 21, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav announced on Wednesday.
He also unveiled the theme for this year’s observance — “Yoga for Healthy Ageing” — highlighting yoga’s role in promoting physical health, mental well-being and healthy ageing.
The announcement was made during Yoga Mahotsav 2026 held at the Western Group of Temples, Khajuraho, marking the start of the 25-day countdown to International Day of Yoga 2026.
The event, organised by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga under the Ministry of Ayush, saw participation from thousands of yoga enthusiasts in a mass demonstration of the Common Yoga Protocol.
Addressing the gathering, Jadhav said Kolkata, known for its cultural and spiritual heritage, would host the main International Day of Yoga celebrations this year.
“The theme ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’ reflects the growing importance of yoga in promoting holistic well-being in advancing age,” he said, adding that yoga represents India’s ancient wisdom and plays a key role in preventive healthcare and balanced living.
The minister also described Khajuraho as a symbol of harmony between India’s cultural traditions and wellness practices, stating that the city had the potential to emerge as a global centre for yoga and wellness.
nion Minister of State for Ayush, Shri Prataprao Jadhav said the Ministry of Ayush, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was working to expand the reach of yoga to villages, schools, offices and communities through sustained public outreach programmes.
Highlighting the importance of preventive healthcare, he said yoga and initiatives such as Ayush Aahar encourage balanced nutrition, disciplined living and overall well-being.
During the event, the minister relaunched the Yoga Sangam Portal to facilitate online registrations and boost public participation in IDY 2026. He also launched the Yoga Park Portal aimed at developing dedicated yoga spaces across states and institutions.
Jadhav further unveiled a redesigned Yoga T-shirt promoting health and wellness and said more than two lakh people had participated in the 100-day free yoga training programme under the Yoga 365 Campaign, receiving Yog Mitra certification.
Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Mohan Yadav joined the programme virtually and said yoga and Khajuraho were integral symbols of India’s cultural heritage. He noted that younger generations were increasingly adopting yoga as part of their daily lives.
Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Inder Singh Parmar said yoga and Ayurveda represented a way of life rooted in India’s traditions and stressed that education and yoga together could contribute to a healthier society.
Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Religious Trust & Endowment Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi said the programme reflected India’s cultural consciousness and civilisational values while promoting holistic wellness.
Khajuraho MP Vishnu Datt Sharma said yoga had evolved into a global movement for health and wellness and was now practised in nearly 190 countries.
Monalisa Dash said yoga offered a simple and sustainable path to holistic health amid increasingly stressful lifestyles. She urged citizens to become “Yoga Mitras” and participate in the Guinness World Record attempt scheduled for June 14, 2026.
A major highlight of the programme was the large-scale demonstration of the Common Yoga Protocol led by Kashinath Samagandi along with yoga instructors from MDNIY.
Thousands of participants from across the region took part in the session, reflecting the growing nationwide emphasis on yoga-based wellness and preventive healthcare.
Developed by the Ministry of Ayush, the Common Yoga Protocol is a standardised sequence of yoga practices aimed at promoting physical, mental and emotional well-being across all age groups.
The event marked a key milestone in the nationwide build-up to International Day of Yoga 2026 and reaffirmed the government’s focus on promoting holistic health and wellness through yoga.
