Parmarth Niketan Celebrates the 12th International Day of Yoga with Global Participation
Rishikesh : The 12th International Day of Yoga was celebrated with extraordinary grandeur, spiritual depth and historic significance at Parmarth Niketan, nestled in the sacred lap of the Himalayas and on the banks of the pure and ever-flowing River Ganga.
On this special occasion, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, ambassadors, high commissioners, diplomats, international representatives and hundreds of yoga practitioners from across the world gathered together on the holy banks of Maa Ganga to practice yoga, offering a powerful message of health, balance, peace and global unity to humanity.
The Common Yoga Protocol session commenced with Vedic chanting and the ceremonial lighting of lamps. The radiance of the sacred flames symbolized a bright and hopeful future for all humanity. The celebrations concluded with a World Peace Yajna, during which special offerings were made for global peace, environmental protection, the well-being of humanity and the prosperity of all living beings.
Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji shared that yoga is not merely a physical exercise for maintaining health, but a profound science that connects the individual soul with the Divine. He emphasized that yoga is a priceless gift of India’s ancient rishi tradition that has shown the world the path to a healthy life, a balanced mind and peaceful consciousness. At a time when humanity faces stress, depression, violence, imbalance and environmental crises, he said, the lasting solution lies in yoga, meditation and India’s timeless spiritual wisdom.
Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji noted that yoga transcends all boundaries of religion, race, language and nationality. It is a unique gift that India has shared with the entire world. She explained that when we connect with ourselves, we naturally connect with nature, society and the Divine. The true meaning of yoga, she said, is not division but union; not conflict but harmony; not unrest but inner peace.
Diplomats, ambassadors and high commissioners from numerous countries participated in the collective yoga practice on the banks of the Ganga, expressing deep appreciation for India’s spiritual heritage and timeless culture. They acknowledged that through yoga, India has provided humanity with a pathway to healthier living and has fostered not only physical well-being but also cultural and spiritual closeness among nations.
The pristine flow of Mother Ganga, the cool Himalayan breeze, the sacred resonance of Vedic mantras, the golden rays of the rising sun and the divine atmosphere of Parmarth Niketan created an unforgettable experience for international guests and yoga practitioners alike. Many international visitors were deeply moved by India’s yoga tradition and could be seen fully immersed in yoga, pranayama and meditation, with expressions of joy, balance and inner peace radiating from their faces.
Messages such as “Yoga is the Future of Humanity,” “Yoga for a Healthy Ageing,” “A Dose of Yoga Every Day,” “Practice Yoga Daily and Live Joyfully,” and “Do Yoga, Stay Healthy” echoed from Parmarth Niketan to countries around the world. The gathering also recognized the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, whose efforts have helped bring yoga to every individual, every home, every community and indeed to the entire world.
Throughout the day, Parmarth Niketan hosted yoga, meditation and pranayama sessions for participants from India and abroad. The grand celebration of the 12th International Day of Yoga once again demonstrated that India is not only the birthplace of yoga but also a spiritual guide to the world, inspiring peace, harmony, spiritual awakening and the timeless ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the World is One Family.
Yoga is not merely a practice; it is one of the finest arts of living. On this 12th International Day of Yoga, let us resolve to make yoga not just an annual celebration but a way of life. Let us remain healthy ourselves, help build a healthier society and share the timeless message of India’s eternal yoga tradition with the entire world.
Do Yoga, Stay Healthy. Practice Yoga Every Day and Live Joyfully.
Distinguished Dignitaries Present
The celebration was graced by the presence of:
H.E. Ms. Chavanart Thangsumphant, Ambassador of Thailand
Ms. Joyshree Verma, Honorary Consul of Israel
H.E. Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj, High Commissioner of Guyana
H.E. Mr. Sinisa Pavic, Ambassador of Serbia
H.E. Dr. Surender Thapa, Chargé d’Affaires of Nepal
H.E. Mr. M. Riaz Hamidullah, High Commissioner of Bangladesh
Ms. Hoang Thi Yen, First Secretary of Vietnam
Ms. Melissa Anne Telan, Second Secretary of the Philippines
Ms. Ediza Jimenez, Consul of Panama
Ms. Charlene Ramsunder, Administrative Attaché of Trinidad & Tobago
Mr. Berdia Bekauri, Deputy Chief of Mission of Georgia
Mr. Lukas Kisieliu, Deputy Head of Mission of Lithuania
Ms. Rashu Kashif, Secretary of the Maldives
Mr. Neeraj A. Sharma, Honorary Consul of Palau
H.E. Mr. Francis ZUE MBA, Chargé d’Affaires of Gabon
Mr. Cyriaque Ganvala, First Secretary of the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville)
Mr. Leonardo Mola Laplata Mum, Counselor of Equatorial Guinea
Ms. Priyanka Sahni, Secretary of Botswana
Ms. Anastasia Ilyushina, Cultural Counsellor of Russia
Ms. Nirosha K. Herath, Minister Counsellor of Sri Lanka
and many others
