CM Rekha leads Yoga Day event on Yamuna banks

The city woke up early to a rejuvenating start on Saturday as thousands of Delhiites took part in large-scale celebrations for the 11th International Yoga Day. From historic monuments to neighbourhood parks, every corner of Delhi echoed with the spirit of yoga and wellness.

Iconic landmarks such as Lodhi Garden, Qutab Minar, Yamuna Ghat and Jantar Mantar turned into open air yoga studios as citizens gathered to perform asanas in the early hours. Foreign yoga gurus led major sessions, lending an international flavour to the event.

One of the key highlights of the day was the grand event held at Water Sports Club in Sonia Vihar along Yamuna Ghat where Chief Minister Rekha Gupta performed yoga along with thousands of participants. The session, themed “Yoga with Yamuna,” emphasised harmony with nature.

In her address, the Chief Minister extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for elevating yoga to a global platform.

In a historic first, the Government of Delhi officially organised simultaneous yoga celebrations at 11 major locations across the city. The main venue at Chhatrasal Stadium saw a huge turnout, with nearly 20,000 yoga enthusiasts participating in a collective session. Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood, who led the session, highlighted the cultural and spiritual legacy of yoga as India’s enduring gift to the world.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa led another major event at the Hockey Ground in Ashok Nagar where he performed yoga with residents, senior citizens and youth groups.

Terming the day as “historic,” Sirsa said Delhi was celebrating Yoga Day with official vigour after a gap of 11 years. He criticised the previous government for ignoring the day due to political bias, emphasising that yoga belongs to all.

Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh joined citizens at Bawana Stadium, praising PM Modi’s global vision and reaffirming the message of “One Earth, One Health.” Singh spoke about yoga’s holistic benefits.

Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh participated in a session at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Park, DDU Marg, where he was accompanied by local residents and health officials. The event, organised by the Directorate of AYUSH in collaboration with Ayurvedic & Unani Tibbia College, saw enthusiastic participation from all age groups and sectors.

The Rohini Zone of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi held a grand event at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium, Mangolpuri. The programme aimed at spreading awareness about health and a balanced lifestyle. Notable attendees included MLA Rajkumar Chauhan, Deputy Chairman Narendra Solanki and various MCD officials. A large number of students, NGOs, RWAs and residents joined in a collective yoga session.

NDMC holds mass yoga sessions

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) marked the International Day of Yoga by organising mass yoga sessions at eight iconic locations across Lutyens’ Delhi. Held from 6 am to 8 am, the sessions witnessed enthusiastic participation from residents, tourists and officials alike. Aligned with the 2025 global theme, ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’, the initiative aimed at promoting holistic well-being and raising awareness about the deep connection between personal health and environmental sustainability.

Mandaviya leads celebrations

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya led the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations in the national capital on Saturday, performing yoga asanas alongside more than 1,500 participants at the Cycling Velodrome inside the Indira Gandhi Stadium. The event, part of the Ayush Ministry’s nationwide Yoga Sangam initiative, was organised under the banner of the Fit India Cult Yogathon. Over 400 volunteers from the ‘My Bharat’ platform also took part in the session.

Starry affair

Bollywood actors Jackky Bhagnani and Rakul Preet Singh added star power to the International Yoga Day celebrations by participating in the Fit India Cult Yogathon held at Indira Gandhi Stadium here. In recognition of their commitment to fitness and healthy living, the duo was honored with the title of ‘Fit India Couple’ during the grand event. The award was presented by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, as part of the nationwide initiative under the Fit India Movement, which aims to inspire citizens to embrace a lifestyle centered on fitness and mindfulness.

Tranquil sunrise session

As the world came together to celebrate the Yoga Day, Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi, invited guests to a tranquil sunrise session on the lawns of its wellness club. The experience offered a harmonious blend of breath, movement and mindfulness — an inspiring celebration of stillness, balance and self-discovery. The session was led by renowned Yoga therapist Abhishek Paul.

‘Op Sindoor’ human chain

The spirit of Operation Sindoor echoed through a special yoga session organised by the Indian Air Force at Subroto Park as part of the International Day of Yoga celebrations on Saturday. A large number of IAF personnel and their families participated in the session, performing various asanas together. A human chain displaying ‘Op Sindoor’ was formed, with participants positioned on yoga mats — symbolising unity, discipline and collective strength.

Delhi