Uttarakhand celebrated the 11th International Yoga Day with remarkable enthusiasm and scale, turning every corner of the state—from the spiritual heights of Kedarnath to the cool winds of Bhararisain—into a vibrant yoga ground. The occasion was marked by the participation of dignitaries, saints, students, soldiers, and citizens alike, highlighting yoga as a bridge between tradition and modern wellness.
President Droupadi Murmu performed yoga in a large gathering at the Dehradun Police Lines, accompanied by Governor Gurmit Singh and Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal. The event, enriched by the President’s presence, inspired onlookers and emphasized yoga’s national and international significance. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami echoed these sentiments on social media, calling yoga a priceless gift from India’s ancient tradition.
Across the state, iconic locations such as Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gopeshwar, and Gauchar transformed into yoga hotspots. In Kedarnath, priests and pilgrims performed yoga in the divine atmosphere, while Gopeshwar PG College hosted a session under the Namami Gange initiative involving students, teachers, and residents. At the Gauchar Mela Ground, a grand event was conducted by the Lok Kalyan Seva Samiti.
In Tehri and Doiwala, the yoga message reached the grassroots. A large camp was organized in New Tehri’s Government Pratap Inter College with the participation of MLA Kishore Upadhyay and District Magistrate Nitika Khandelwal. Rural communities in Doiwala and markets like Premnagar also saw active engagement, guided by expert yoga instructors.
Haridwar’s Prem Nagar Ashram showcased a blend of spiritual discipline and collective energy through yoga sessions, while ITBP soldiers performed yoga in high-altitude terrains, symbolizing strength and balance.
Minister Subodh Uniyal emphasized the success of India’s yoga diplomacy, noting that 167 countries now embrace yoga due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts. He also underlined the rollout of Uttarakhand’s first-ever yoga policy, which includes certification for yoga instructors, wellness centers, and grants of up to ₹20 lakhs.
Inspiring stories emerged from local talents like Anjali Kunwar of Karnaprayag block, who teaches yoga online to over 130 people daily, including international students from Singapore, Canada, the US, Indonesia, and the UK. Her global outreach has earned her recognition and scholarships from abroad.
The main state-level event was held at Bhararisain in Karnaprayag, where CM Dhami practiced yoga alongside over 800 participants and unveiled the state’s official yoga policy. The event, attended by ministers, legislators, diplomats, and renowned yoga gurus like Bharat Bhushan, reinforced the message of making yoga a daily habit for a healthier, more balanced society.
Uttarakhand’s International Yoga Day celebration truly reflected the essence of “Yoga for All, Health for All,” showcasing the Himalayan state as a living embodiment of India’s yogic heritage.