Thousands Gather in Pokhara for International Yoga Day
Thousands of yoga enthusiasts converged at Pokhara Stadium in Nepal on Sunday, June 21, 2026, to observe the 12th International Yoga Day. The event, organized under the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing,' aimed to raise awareness about the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of yoga through public programs and activities. The Indian Embassy in Nepal has been hosting the event in Pokhara annually.
Chief Minister Highlights Yoga's Role in India-Nepal Ties
Surendra Raj Pandey, Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, participated in the event and shared his thoughts with ANI. 'The United Nations has also endorsed 21 June as the International Yoga Day. The Indian Embassy in Nepal has been organising the event in Pokhara every year. This year, we have been participating in it, and including this year, it is my fourth participatory year,' Pandey said. He emphasized that such programs strengthen the people-to-people connection between Nepal and India, expressing gratitude to the Indian Embassy and Ambassador.
Global Recognition and Nepal's Support
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed June 21 as International Yoga Day in 2014, following a proposal by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 69th session of the General Assembly. The first International Yoga Day was observed on June 21, 2015. Nepal was among the first countries to support the proposal, with then-Prime Minister Sushil Koirala endorsing the initiative. The resolution garnered backing from 177 countries within 90 days, setting a UN record.
Nepal's Deep-Rooted Yoga Tradition
Yoga has a long history in Nepal. Since 2036 BS (1979-1980 CE), World Yoga Day has been observed on Magh 1, marking the beginning of Uttarayan, under the initiative of yoga campaigner Hari Prasad Pokharel and various organizations. The observance was launched to revive and promote yoga, which has deep roots in the Himalayan region and Vedic traditions. Currently, yoga and naturopathy are taught at Nepal Sanskrit University, while Tribhuvan University has introduced yoga studies under its Central Department of Sanskrit.
Call for National Yoga Day and Integration into Policy
Following the international recognition of Yoga Day, campaigners in Nepal proposed that Magh 1 be formally designated as National Yoga Day. Acting on a proposal by then-Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Narahari Acharya, the Government of Nepal officially declared Magh 1 as National Yoga Day on July 28, 2015. Chief Minister Pandey noted, 'In today's lifestyle filled with a busy schedule and stress, if we separate a fraction of time for yoga, we can make it stress-free. This kind of program should continue to be organised further in Pokhara.'
Presidential and Vice Presidential Messages
Nepali President Ram Chandra Paudel urged people to adopt yoga as an integral part of their daily lives, emphasizing its role in promoting physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. In his message on the 12th World Yoga Day, President Paudel extended best wishes for happiness, peace, prosperity, and good health to all Nepalis. He noted that various studies and historical evidence establish Nepal as a country with a rich yoga tradition and called for integrating yoga into national policies, education systems, and public health programs. Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav added that regular yoga practice contributes to physical health, mental peace, positive thinking, and spiritual growth.
Yoga as a Lifestyle for Modern Challenges
President Paudel expressed confidence that regular yoga practice can improve daily performance, strengthen immunity, enhance digestion, encourage positive thinking, and help individuals realize their inner potential. He highlighted that yoga, which promotes unity, peace, and health worldwide, represents an important part of ancient Eastern knowledge and cultural heritage. He called on people to embrace yoga as a lifestyle to cope with modern challenges such as stress, pollution, and increasing competition.
