Delhi is gearing up to celebrate the International Day of Yoga (IYD) on June 21, 2025, with various agencies and the government organizing events across the city. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is set to host yoga sessions at eight iconic venues in Lutyens' Delhi, including the historic Lodhi Garden and the serene Shantipath. This year's celebrations mark the 11th edition of International Day of Yoga.
The NDMC's initiative aims to promote both individual well-being and environmental consciousness, aligning with the theme "Yoga for One Earth, One Health". Yoga sessions are scheduled from 6 am to 8 am at various locations. Besides Lodhi Garden and Shantipath, other venues include Kartavya Path, Talkatora Garden, Central Park in Connaught Place, Pandara Park, New Moti Bagh, and Sanjay Jheel in Lakshmi Bai Nagar. Preparatory yoga camps have already been conducted at Lodhi Garden and Talkatora Garden to build momentum for the main event.
NDMC Vice Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal highlighted that the sessions would feature a live streaming of the Prime Minister's Yoga Day message, along with the distribution of yoga mats and branded t-shirts to participants. The Ministry of AYUSH will oversee the delegation of yoga trainers and coordinate with partner yoga institutions such as the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, Art of Living, Patanjali Yoga Samiti, and Gayatri Parivar. Participation at each site is expected to range from 300 to 2,000 individuals.
In addition to the NDMC's efforts, the Delhi government is also organizing large-scale yoga events at 11 different locations across the city. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced this initiative, emphasizing a shift from the previous administration's approach. While the exact locations of these events were initially unspecified, it has been revealed that they will be held at key stadiums and sports complexes, including Thyagaraj Stadium, East Vinod Nagar Sports Complex, Jhilmil Colony, Bawana, Prahladpur, Bharat Nagar, Yamuna Bank, Najafgarh Stadium, Dwarka Sector-6, and Ashok Nagar Hockey Stadium. Chhatrasal Stadium has been selected as the main venue, expecting around 10,000 participants supported by 5,000 volunteers from the Bharatiya Yog Sansthan.
To facilitate the movement of yoga enthusiasts, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will begin services at 4 am on all lines on June 21. This early start will allow participants to reach their chosen venues in time for the 6 am commencement of yoga sessions. After 6 am, metro services will resume their normal scheduled intervals.
The International Day of Yoga celebrations in Delhi are not limited to the NDMC and Delhi government initiatives. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is hosting 'Yoga Bandhan', a signature event of IDY 2025, where 17 yoga gurus and practitioners from 15 countries will lead yoga events at Jantar Mantar, Qutub Minar, Purana Quila, and Humayun's Tomb.
With numerous events planned across the city, Delhi is poised to embrace the International Day of Yoga with enthusiasm, promoting health, wellness, and a sense of community among its residents.
