Nashik, the land of Mahakumbh, witnessed a grand celebration of Yoga as over 6000 enthusiasts came together to mark the 50-day countdown to the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025 at the Yoga Mahotsav organised by Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), Ministry of Ayush Held at the spiritually significant Gauri Maidan in Panchavati, the event not only celebrated India’s rich Yoga tradition but also marked the launch of the Yoga Sangam Portal — a digital platform for online registration towards facilitating the synchronized nationwide celebration of IDY 2025 on 21st June at more than 1,00,000 locations across India.
The programme was inaugurated by Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush, and Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare. Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister emphasised the importance of Yoga and said that, Nashik is a sacred city blessed by the presence of great souls, and visiting it filled me with pride and joy. Yoga, once an integral part of Indian tradition, is now flourishing within the international community.
He further added that the Government of India is leaving no stone unturned to make IDY a success and stated, Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today, Yoga forms the foundation of life for millions around the world. As part of efforts to take its benefits to every individual, the International Day of Yoga 2025 is being celebrated as a decade-long global festival.
While launching the Yoga Sangam Portal, he said, on Nashik’s sacred soil, we’ve launched the ‘Yoga Sangam Portal’ for online registration, marking a significant step towards International Day of Yoga 2025. Yoga Sangam embodies global solidarity for health, and through initiatives like these, International Day of Yoga is becoming a powerful global movement that unites humanity, promoting Yoga and beyond.
Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga and the Ministry of Ayush deserve heartfelt congratulations for their contributions to this decade-long journey of Yoga he added. It is to be noted that Yoga Sangam, one of the ten Signature Events of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025, is a groundbreaking initiative unfolding a decentralised, yet synchronised mass Yoga performance at 1,00,000 locations across India.
It will take place on 21st June 2025, the International Day of Yoga. This event will weave a harmonious tapestry of well-being nationwide, as hundreds of thousands of individuals unite under Yoga’s enabling shield. The sheer scale of participation in the event will create a powerful ripple effect of positive energy nationwide.
Yog Mahostav at Nashik also witnessed the esteemed presence of Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, Nashik Devyani Suhas Pharande, MLA, Nashik Central Seema Hiray, MLA, Nashik West Rahul Uttamrao Dhikale, MLA, Nashik East Lieutenant General Dr. Madhuri Kanitkar, Vice Chancellor of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) Dr. Vishwas Mandlik, Head, Yoga Vidya Gurukul, Nashik and Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush as distinguished guests.
Monalisa Das, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Ayush, delivered the welcome address at the event. While extending her greetings to all the distinguished guests, she remarked that Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family — is one of India’s greatest guiding principles and a true symbol of global brotherhood and harmony.
A special emphasis was laid on the Common Yoga Protocol during today’s Yoga Mahotsav. Developed with inputs from leading Yoga experts, the CYP is designed to help individuals integrate day-to-day Yoga practices such as Pranayama and Dhyana into their lives enhancing flexibility, strength, balance, and overall harmony. The Government of India’s Yoga Portal serves as a valuable platform encouraging citizens to embrace, practice, and enjoy Yoga daily.
Following the addresses, demonstrators from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, led by Dr. Kashinath Samagandi, Director, MDNIY, performed a live demonstration of the Common Yoga Protocol. The session saw the active participation of more than 6000 Yoga enthusiasts, creating a vibrant atmosphere of collective energy and discipline. The event was streamed live across various social media platforms of the Ministry of Ayush, MDNIY, and other prominent Yoga institutions.
The Yoga Mahotsav at Nashik marks a significant step in the run-up to IDY-2025, reaffirming the Government of India’s commitment to promoting holistic health, wellness, and environmental sustainability through Yoga.
Before this, MDNIY and the Ministry of Ayush had organised a Yoga Mahotsav on March 13, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, marking the 100-day countdown to IDY-2025. Similarly, a grand event was organised on April 7, 2025, on the occasion of the 75-day countdown at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.
