International Day of Yoga (IDY) might be on June 21, but people around the world seem to have started the celebrations early. Indian consulates in cities across the globe held yoga sessions and other events over the weekend.
“Across all continents, the #YogaDay2019 celebrations have begun with immense fervour. I urge you all to join the Yoga Day programmes in your respective nations and enrich the Yoga programmes with your participation,” Indian PM Narendra Modi tweeted.
Modi, who spearheaded the campaign that led to June 21 being declared as the International Day of Yoga by the United Nations, shared a series of photos from around the globe showcasing IDY celebrations on social media.
Here are some glimpses of the many events held over June 15-16 to mark Yoga Day:
Singapore
The International Yoga Day opening session was held at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore on June 15. Photo: Connected to India
HE Jawed Ashraf, High Commissioner of India, Singapore (centre) participating in the Yoga workout at Gardens by the Bay. Photo: Connected to India
Between June 15-25 2019, 200 yoga sessions will be held across 130 centres across Singapore, including Home of the Athletics near National Stadium\, West Coast Community Centre, which will be attended by Singapore Minister S Iswaran, and other venues. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@IndiainSingapor
Washington DC
The 5th International Day of Yoga (IDY) was celebrated on Sunday, 16 June 2019 at the Washington Monument in Washington DC. Representatives from the Wmembers of the diplomatic hite House, US Department of State and other Government agencies, prominent community and the Indian diaspora were among the participants. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@harshshringla
Indian Ambassador to the US HE Harsh Vardhan Shringla (right) noted at the lighting of the lamp that yoga has been widely adopted by people all over the world, transcending linguistic and cultural boundaries, and has millions of practitioners in USA. Photo courtesy: US Indian Embassy
Paris
Yoga Day celebrations near the Eiffel Tower in Paris to commemorate Indian culture and tradition. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@narendramodi
Netherlands
International Day of Yoga 2019 celebrations in the iconic Dam Square in Amsterdam organised by the Embassy of India in the Netherlands, featuring yoga sessions, Indian handicrafts and dance and music. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@IndinNederlands
London
UAE
In the run-up to the upcoming Yoga Day 2019 celebrations, yoga enthusiasts performing at the iconic Louvre, Abu Dhabi. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@IndembAbuDhabi
China
Even heavy rains can’t stop over 500 yoga lovers from celebrating International Day of Yoga 2019 at the Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan, China. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@EOIBeijing
Cape Town
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain, was the venue for a pre-Yoga Day session in South Africa. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@IndiainCapeTown
Click here to read more about Yoga Day.
