Yoga Day mega event in Kolkata

A yoga demonstration expected to be led by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a 2km run covering 11 locations in Kolkata, a display with 3,000 drones and a unique showcase on 500 boats — Bengal is all set for the International Yoga Day celebrations from June 19 to June 21. 

This year’s theme — Yoga for Healthy Ageing — highlights the role of yoga in promoting physical and mental well-being across generations.

Bengal Soulfully Yours takes you through the events that have been lined up as part of the three-day celebrations:

The 2km Daud se Dhyan flagged off by Hon’ble Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at 5.30am on June 19 covered 11 locations across Kolkata — the Police Athletic Tent at Maidan, Elliott Park, Raja Subodh Mullick Square, Tala Park, Subhas Sarobar in Beleghata, Captain Bhery on the EM Bypass, Golpark, Gitanjali Stadium in Kasba, KFR Ground in Behala, Chandipura Rangsara Ground in Bhangar and Sanghamitra School Playground in the West Port area. The city-wide campaign aims to bring together fitness enthusiasts, students and yoga practitioners to promote physical wellbeing and mental wellness. 

Prinsep Ghat and Millennium Park will host a cultural carnival featuring a large-scale drone display showcasing India’s yoga journey and paying tribute to great yoga masters. There will be cultural performances, food stalls, sand art installations and other public attractions from 5.30pm on June 20. 

The highlight will be the grand drone show, expected to involve 3,000 drones, making it one of the largest such displays the city has witnessed. The drone show, scheduled to begin at 8pm on June 20, will weave stories in the night sky over the Howrah Bridge and Second Hooghly Bridge (Vidyasagar Setu). The display is likely to be best seen from Millennium Park, Babughat and Belur Math.

The flagship event will be held at Kolkata's iconic Red Road at 5am of June 21, where Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lead the national observance of International Day of Yoga. The Ministry of Ayush has identified Kolkata as the venue for this year's flagship celebration, with participation expected from thousands of yoga enthusiasts. Around 30,000 participants are expected to gather at Red Road for the yoga session. Thousands more are likely to join online.

Metro services will begin from 4am on Sunday.

A yoga demonstration on 500 boats along the Hooghly river ghats will showcase both yoga and Bengal’s rich river heritage in an attempt to create a Guinness World Record. The unique event will be held on June 20, which is also West Bengal Day. 

Beyond Kolkata, the 12th International Yoga Day will be celebrated across the state from the mangroves of Sunderbans to Sandakphu, West Bengal’s highest point. Yoga sessions have also been planned at Gorumara and Jaldapara.

The West Bengal state administration and the Ministry of Ayush have also launched a range of outreach programmes, including yoga camps, school initiatives and community events, to maximise public participation.

A series of events have been planned across Kolkata and West Bengal in the run-up to June 21, including Cycling for Wellness, yoga in schools and government offices, yoga for mental well-being, women’s health yoga, yoga for senior citizens, corporate yoga and yoga programmes for the police, fire services and healthcare institutions. 

Hon’ble Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav recently released 12 special philatelic covers commemorating International Day of Yoga 2026. Chief Postmaster General, West Bengal Circle, Ashok Kumar, was present on the occasion.