The Embassy of India in Kathmandu and the Consulate General of India in Birgunj organized 22 yoga events to celebrate the 12th edition of the International Day of Yoga on 21 June 2026. The widespread celebrations saw the active participation of more than 13000 yoga enthusiasts across 11 cities and municipalities in Nepal, including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lamjung, Lumbini, Janakpur, Chitwan, Birgunj, Hetauda, Sakhua Parsauni, Pokharia, and Bariyarpur.
In alignment with this year’s official theme, "Yoga for Healthy Ageing," the Embassy of India initiated a curtain raiser event featuring a yoga demonstration at the revered Pashupatinath Temple on 15 May 2026. This marked the beginning of a series of posture demonstrations conducted at six UNESCO World Heritage sites within the Kathmandu Valley, including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa, Changu Narayan Temple, and Patan Durbar Square, attracting local authorities, celebrities, social media influencers, and members of the Indian diaspora.
Educational and academic institutions were also heavily involved in the regional celebrations. A dedicated yoga session was organized on 5 June 2026 at the premises of Kendriya Vidyalaya in Kathmandu, drawing more than 200 students. Furthermore, the Embassy partnered with the Ayurveda Campus of Tribhuvan University on 16 June 2026 to host a specialized yoga event alongside an Ayurveda Expo, which featured an exhibition on Ayurvedic products and an educational lecture titled "Ayurveda for Psychological Wellbeing."
The celebrations extended into scenic and spiritually significant landmarks across the country, including a demonstration in the Lamjung district in collaboration with the Madhya Nepal Municipality on 19 June 2026. In Pokhara, demonstrations were conducted at the Sarangkot viewpoint, the Shiva Temple at Pumdikot, and the Shanti Stupa, followed by a large-scale session along the banks of Phewa Lake on 20 June 2026 that drew over 400 participants. Concurrently, a major demonstration drawing over 600 participants was hosted in Lumbini in collaboration with the Lumbini Development Trust at the Mayadevi Temple complex, graced by the Governor of Lumbini, Mr. Krishna Bahadur Gharti Magar.
The principal highlight of the International Day of Yoga 2026 celebrations was a grand demonstration held at Pokhara’s Rangsala Stadium on 21 June 2026, organized in collaboration with the Pokhara Metropolitan City. The event witnessed an attendance of over 8000 practitioners and was graced by the Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Mr. Surendra Raj Pandey, alongside the Ambassador of India to Nepal, Shri Naveen Srivastava. The Consulate General of India in Birgunj simultaneously facilitated celebrations across Janakpur, Chitwan, Birgunj, Hetauda, Sakhua Parsauni, Pokharia, and Bariyarpur, reflecting the expanding adoption of yoga and the enduring people-to-people ties between India and Nepal.
