Our Bureau
Washington, DC
In a major build-up to global wellness celebrations, the Indian Embassy in the United States has announced that the historic Lincoln Memorial will serve as the venue for the upcoming International Day of Yoga festivities.
The diplomatic mission shared the update in a post on the social media platform X, inviting yoga enthusiasts and practitioners to gather at the iconic monument in Washington, D.C.
“We’re celebrating #InternationalDayOfYoga2026 at the iconic Lincoln Memorial on Friday, June 19, 2026. Stay tuned for more details!” the embassy stated in its digital announcement.
Underscoring the core philosophy behind the gathering, the announcement prominently highlighted a profound thought on the ancient Indian discipline from the Indian leadership.
“Yoga is the pause button that humanity needs to breathe, balance, and become whole again,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This upcoming event forms part of a massive global outreach campaign to promote holistic physical health and mental well-being across international borders.
The focus for this year’s global celebration centers on ‘Yoga for Healthy Aging,’ an initiative dedicated to establishing the ancient practice as a vital mechanism for enhancing life expectancy, physical flexibility, and proactive medical wellness.
This focus on health and longevity will be further amplified by Padma Shri HR Nagendra, who guides Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal yoga practice and serves as president of Bengaluru’s S-VYASA University. Nagendra is set to headline the annual June 21 event in New York, drawing thousands of participants from across the globe.
Nagendra, who is often dubbed as one of India’s most distinguished yoga scholars, is set to travel to New York this month as the chief guest at the International Day of Yoga celebrations at Times Square — one of the most photographed public spaces in the world.
The event, scheduled for June 21, is organised by the Consulate General of India in New York and is expected to draw thousands of participants from across the United States and beyond. Nagendra will be accompanied by the university’s Vice Chancellor, NK Manjunath.
Before the flagship Times Square event, Nagendra will inaugurate a three-day Yoga and Wellness Retreat at the YO1 Longevity and Health Resort in Monticello, New York, from June 12 to 14. The retreat will include yoga sessions, meditation, and lectures on stress management, healthy ageing, and holistic wellness.
Cardiologist Samin K Sharma, Director of Interventional Cardiology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, & Raj Bansal, founder of one of the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) are among the notable speakers confirmed for the retreat.
