On June 21, 2025, the 11th International Day of Yoga was celebrated on the banks of the Ganga at the Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh, where ambassadors and high commissioners from more than 25 nations gathered, according to a press release from Parmarth Niketan. The Common Yoga Protocol session was led Swami Chidanand Saraswati, President of Parmarth Niketan, and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati.
Held under the global theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” the event sought to connect individual well-being and the health of the planet.
Scenes from the June 21, 2025 IDY at Parmarth Niketan:
“When we take care of ourselves, we begin to care for the Earth. This is the divine message of Indian culture — Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the whole world is one family,” Swami Chidanand Saraswati is quoted saying, calling the Indian practice, “a priceless gift” to the world.
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati said yoga is a divine practice to bring balance to daily lives and enhance an individual’s efficiency in action. “Yoga is not just an exercise to make the body flexible — it is a lifestyle, a way of being. It harmonizes body, mind, and soul, allowing one to remain balanced in all circumstances. Yoga improves focus, patience, and decision-making, enabling success in action. This is the true power of yoga — inner peace amidst outer chaos,” she said.
The celebration on the Ganga Ghat at Parmarth Niketan began with the soothing sounds of the bansuri (flute), recitation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, and the screening of a special video message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event included reflections on past years, wisdom from yoga masters, glimpses of various yoga forms, yoga demonstrations, and spiritual discourses.
Distinguished guests in attendance included:
Monica Campos (Peru), Bharat Morje (Lesotho), Thabang Linus Kholumo (Lesotho), Naleli Patricia Kholumo (Lesotho), Vanessa Adrien Espinosa Aguirre (Mexico), Abe Noriaki (Japan), Fernando Buchelli Vargas (Ecuador), Engeldrod Musinga (Namibia), Lalatiana Akosh (Seychelles), Fanchette Farasoav Vohanginirina (Seychelles), Rakotoson EP Morin (Seychelles), H.E. Juan Carlos Rojas (Colombia), Cyriac Ganwala (Congo-Brazzaville), Dr. Surinder Thapa (Nepal), Taranath Adhikari (Nepal), Ravindra Jung Thapa (Nepal), Saitenov (Kazakhstan), Khursidbek Samiev (Uzbekistan), Jesiata Enchama Ebeso Oyana (Equatorial Guinea), Leonardo Mola Labalata (Equatorial Guinea), H.E. Stella Nkomo (Zimbabwe), Peter Hobwani (Zimbabwe), Gilbert Shimane Mangoli (Botswana), Lubna Asif (Botswana), Dr. Robert (Taiwan), Patrick (Taiwan), Kristina Brazevic (Lithuania), Mikhail Kasko (Belarus), Gabru Tekle (Ethiopia), Jojo Binti (D.R. Congo), Mwimbu Kimuwayla Julie (D.R. Congo), Alamajani Batubonduo Jerome (D.R. Congo), Manuel Alejandro Avantes Rosas (Mexico), Luz Maria Contreras Hernandez (Mexico), German Jimenez Morales (Mexico), Ajay Singh (India), and many more.
Students and teachers from various schools, institutions, colleges, and universities participated in the Common Yoga Protocol taught by Parmarth’s Yogacharya Ganga Nandini.
This year’s celebration also saw participation from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Komaleshwar Yoga School, Rishikesh, Yoga Association, numerous yoga schools and centers of Uttarakhand.
