Moscow Hosts Grand Celebration of the 12th International Day of Yoga

On June 21, 2026, a grand celebration of the 12th International Day of Yoga, under the motto “Yoga for Health and Longevity,” took place on the University Square of Lomonosov Moscow State University. The event was organized by the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre at the Embassy of India in Moscow, with the support of the Government of Moscow. Partners included the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow and the Business Council for Cooperation with India.

The celebration traditionally gathered hundreds of participants – professional yoga practitioners, members of the Indian diaspora, healthy lifestyle advocates, and anyone striving for harmony of body and spirit. Symbolically, the event took place on the summer solstice, emphasizing yoga’s philosophical connection with natural cycles and inner balance.

The official opening ceremony was attended by Vinay Kumar, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Russian Federation, and Olga Zhilina, Deputy Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow. Distinguished guests also included Sudha Rani Gupta, Director General of the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual Development Centre, and Swami Atmalokananda, President of the Ramakrishna Society – Vedanta Centre in Moscow.

In his address, Vinay Kumar thanked participants for their interest in yoga and noted the significance of the 2026 theme, which focuses on strengthening health and longevity through mindfulness practices.

Deputy Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of the Moscow Government Olga Zhilina, in her remarks, underscored yoga’s enduring popularity in the capital and the importance of cultural interaction between Russia and India:

“Moscow has been celebrating International Yoga Day together with the rest of the world for 12 years now… A testament to Muscovites’ love of yoga is the fact that there are some 600 schools operating in the city, and that you have come here on a Sunday to be part of this celebration.”

Zhilina also expressed gratitude to the organizers for their many years of contribution to the development of cultural ties and stressed the importance of such events in introducing Muscovites to India’s rich cultural heritage.

The central event of the program was the mass practice of the Common Yoga Protocol, in which hundreds of people participated under the guidance of Bhup Singh Thakur, instructor at the Cultural Centre. The practice united participants of all ages and skill levels, becoming a symbol of unity and harmony.

The celebration also featured a series of thematic events, including lectures and workshops on health, physical activity, and inner balance. Participants were able to explore mindfulness practices and the principles of traditional wellness systems.

The celebration was beautifully complemented by cultural performances: audiences enjoyed classical Indian dance numbers and a concert of traditional music, allowing for a deeper immersion into India’s rich cultural heritage.

The celebration of the 12th International Day of Yoga in Moscow once again confirmed the high level of interest in healthy lifestyle and spiritual development practices, and served as an important platform for strengthening cultural ties between Russia and India. The event took place in an atmosphere of unity, harmony, and mutual respect, bringing together people of different cultures around the shared values of health and mindfulness.