Global celebrations mark 5th International Day of Yoga

As the sun rose across different countries around the world, millions of people across the world woke up today to celebrate the ancient art of yoga. No matter where they live, people came together in a truly global celebration of the International Day of Yoga (IDY), an initiative put forth by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ratified by the United Nations five years ago.
Prime Minister Modi led the IDY celebrations at a mega show in Ranchi while Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and others also participated in events across the country.

Modi stressed on the need to strengthen research on yoga, saying, "Today when the world is accepting yoga, we also have to further research on yoga; we have to unite yoga with fields of medicine, physiotherapy, artificial intelligence."

Indian missions, embassies and consulates across the world also spread out their yoga mats for multiple events to mark the occasion. Here’s a look at the various programmes organised from Sydney all the way to San Francisco to celebrate yoga day.

India

The Prabhat Tara Maidan in Ranchi was the site of PM Modi's Yoga Day programme. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@narendramodi
The Prabhat Tara Maidan in Ranchi was the site of PM Modi's Yoga Day programme. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@narendramodi
Navy personnel performed #Yoga today on-board INS Ranvir which is stationed in the Bay of Bengal. @ANI
Navy personnel performed yoga today onboard INS Ranvir which is stationed in the Bay of Bengal. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@ANI
BSF jawans put on a yoga performance to mark Yoga Day at the Indo-Pak border in Gujarat. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@BSFIndia
BSF jawans put on a yoga performance to mark Yoga Day at the Indo-Pak border in Gujarat. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@BSFIndia

 

Singapore

Yoga Day events are being held at 130 venues across Singapore from June 15-25. Photo courtesy: Facebook/India in Singapore
Yoga Day events are being held at 130 venues across Singapore from June 15-25. Photo courtesy: Facebook/India in Singapore
International Day of Yoga celebrations continued in Singapore across more that 50 venues and 70+sessions. Photo courtesy: Facebook/Indiain Singapore
International Day of Yoga celebrations continued in Singapore across more that 50 venues and 70+sessions. Photo courtesy: Facebook/India in Singapore

 

Australia/New Zealand

Miki Liu in Chakrasana pose at Angel Place, Sydneyvon yoga day. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@cgisydney
Miki Liu in Chakrasana pose at Angel Place, Sydney on yoga day. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@cgisydney

 

Middle East/Africa

UK

Buckingham Palace @HCI_London
Londoners performing their yoga routine outside Buckingham Palace. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@HCI_London

 

USA

Click here for more about IDY 2019.