- Historic YouTube livestream shatters world record ahead of International Day of Yoga 2026
- Ministry’s Yoga 365 campaign gains unprecedented global momentum
- Participation from India and across the world underscores Yoga’s universal appeal
- ‘Har Ghar Yoga, Har Din Yoga’ movement receives a powerful digital boost
NE HEALTH BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JUNE 14
In a landmark digital milestone ahead of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026, the Ministry of Ayush on Sunday entered the Guinness World Records by registering the largest-ever viewership for a YouTube Live Yoga stream, with 4,35,831 verified participants joining a special global online yoga session through its official YouTube channel.
The record-breaking achievement reflects Yoga’s rapidly expanding global footprint and reinforces India’s mission of transforming the ancient discipline into a daily lifestyle movement through the ‘Yoga 365’ campaign.
The online event attracted enthusiastic participation from yoga practitioners, students, educational institutions, healthcare professionals, wellness enthusiasts and members of the Indian diaspora from across the globe, who collectively performed the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) under expert guidance.
With 4,35,831 verified viewers, the Ministry comfortably surpassed the previous Guinness World Record of 2,46,252 viewers, set in 2024, exceeding the earlier benchmark by an impressive 1,89,579 participants and establishing a new global standard for online yoga engagement.
Addressing participants after the historic achievement, Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, congratulated yoga enthusiasts worldwide and said: “Today’s achievement demonstrates the extraordinary power of Yoga to connect people across regions, cultures, and nations through a shared commitment to health and well-being. This new Guinness World Record reflects the growing global acceptance of Yoga as a way of life and reinforces our collective resolve to make Yoga an integral part of daily living. As we move towards International Day of Yoga 2026, I urge everyone to embrace the spirit of ‘Yoga 365’ and contribute towards building a healthier, stronger, and more resilient society.”
Highlighting the larger significance of the accomplishment, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, said: “This achievement is not merely about setting a new world record; it is about the message we are sending to the world. The overwhelming participation demonstrates the growing recognition of Yoga as a powerful tool for health and well-being. Our objective is to encourage people to embrace Yoga not as a one-day event, but as a lifelong practice and make ‘Yoga 365’ a reality.”
The programme also featured special video messages from several eminent leaders, including Mukesh Mahaling, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Odisha; Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs; and Dr. Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.
Congratulating participants on the historic feat, the leaders underscored Yoga’s growing importance as an instrument of preventive healthcare, holistic wellness and healthy living, while urging citizens to integrate the practice into their daily routines.
The record-setting event was organised by the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) and partner organisations. Participants from across India and overseas joined the livestream through the Ministry’s official YouTube channel, with expert instruction for the Common Yoga Protocol provided by the Habuild team.
The achievement comes as India prepares for the International Day of Yoga 2026, to be celebrated under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing” (स्वस्थ आयु के लिए योग), highlighting Yoga’s role in promoting longevity, physical fitness, mental resilience and emotional well-being across all age groups.
The main national celebration of IDY 2026 will be held in Kolkata, West Bengal, on June 21, bringing together thousands of yoga practitioners and wellness advocates in a nationwide celebration of health and harmony.
Expressing gratitude to yoga institutions, educational establishments, government departments, corporate organisations, social groups and the global Indian diaspora, the Ministry of Ayush acknowledged their collective contribution in scripting the world record.
As the countdown to International Day of Yoga 2026 gathers pace, the Ministry renewed its appeal for citizens to embrace Yoga as a way of life and carry forward the vision of “Har Ghar Yoga, Har Din Yoga”, making wellness an everyday commitment rather than an annual celebration.
