Varanasi Launches Yoga Week Ahead of Global Celebrations

As the sun rose over Namo Ghat on Monday, a series of public yoga demonstrations signaled the start of a week-long countdown to International Yoga Day. The event, held in Varanasi, serves as both a health initiative and a milestone celebration marking twelve years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration.

Editorial·June 15, 2026·reads: 2,199

Varanasi Launches Yoga Week Ahead of Global Celebrations

Uttar Pradesh state ministers joined local participants in early morning sessions designed to promote wellness and physical discipline. State Minister Daya Shankar Mishra attributed the rising global profile of yoga to the dedicated advocacy of Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, noting that the practice now spans 177 countries.

This gathering reinforces the momentum behind the United Nations-designated date of June 21, a recognition secured following the Prime Minister’s 2014 address to the General Assembly. By anchoring these activities at Namo Ghat, regional leaders aim to solidify the city's role in the ongoing international movement to integrate yoga into public health frameworks worldwide.