How Lumbini Celebrated Yoga Day in a Way That Won Everyone’s Heart!
The significance of yoga has been growing worldwide, recognized as a priceless practice for spirituality, physical health, and mental balance. In this context, a grand celebration of International Yoga Day was held on 20 June 2025 in Lumbini, Nepal, jointly organized by the Embassy of India in Nepal and the Lumbini Development Trust, with thousands of yoga enthusiasts participating.
Lumbini, famously known as the birthplace of Lord Buddha and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has established itself as an ideal location to celebrate Yoga Day. The event was graced by the Chief Minister of Lumbini Province, Krishna Bahadur Gharti, and Nepal’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Teju Lal Chaudhary, as chief guests. Both dignitaries expressed gratitude on behalf of the Government of India for organizing this significant event and wished for deeper cultural ties between the two countries.
India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, stated on this occasion that yoga is an ancient practice rooted in Indian tradition, and since the United Nations declared 21 June as International Yoga Day in 2014, it has evolved into a global movement. He described Lumbini as a symbol of peace and harmony, making it an exceptionally fitting venue to showcase the timeless values of yoga. He also appreciated the contribution of the Lumbini Development Trust in the success of the event and highlighted its important role in promoting Lumbini as a spiritual and religious destination.
More than 500 participants, including senior officials of the Lumbini Development Trust and regional yoga lovers, practiced yoga together, spreading messages of unity, healthy living, and peace. The event aimed to increase awareness of yoga within the Nepali community.
This event was part of a series of programs organized by the Indian Embassy in various cities across Nepal to celebrate the 11th International Yoga Day. Similarly, a large yoga demonstration is planned for tomorrow at the Pokhara Rangsala Stadium in partnership with Pokhara Metropolitan City, expected to further promote the cultural importance of yoga throughout the country.
Such initiatives on Yoga Day have not only strengthened cultural ties between the two neighboring nations but have also infused new enthusiasm for the practice of yoga and healthy lifestyles across Nepal. Yoga has been reaffirmed as a practice that brings physical and mental balance in individual lives and holds the power to spread messages of social harmony and peace globally.
This year’s International Yoga Day has provided Lumbini with a broader opportunity to be recognized as a spiritual center, while also highlighting yoga’s universal significance as a shared cultural heritage between Nepal and India. The program has been welcomed as a concrete step toward reviving this traditional practice in the modern world.
