Yoga Event at Lumbini UNESCO Site Draws Hundreds
The Indian Embassy in Nepal, in collaboration with the Lumbini Development Trust, conducted a yoga demonstration in Lumbini as part of pre-International Day of Yoga celebrations. The event took place near the Eternal Peace Flame and the Maya Devi Temple in the Lumbini Sanskritik area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Lord Buddha, on Saturday.
According to the Indian Embassy in Nepal, the gathering was attended by Krishna Bahadur Gharti Magar, Governor of Lumbini Province, who served as Chief Guest, along with more than 600 yoga enthusiasts. The programme aimed to promote the values of health, harmony, and holistic well-being associated with the ancient practice.
Embassy Highlights Community Participation on Social Media
In a post on X, the Embassy emphasised the significance of the event and the involvement of the local community. The post stated: "Embassy of India @IndiaInNepal, in collaboration with @Lumbinidtrust, organized a yoga demonstration near the Eternal Peace Flame and Maya Devi Temple, in Lumbini Sanskritik area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site."
The post further noted: "H.E. Krishna Bahadur Gharti Magar, Hon'ble Governor of Lumbini Province, attended the event as the Chief Guest. Held annually as a part of the International Day of Yoga celebrations, the event brought together more than 600 yoga enthusiasts promoting Yoga's timeless values of health, harmony, and holistic well-being."
First Secretary Highlights Global Visibility of Lumbini
Earlier in the day, Narayan Singh, First Secretary (Admin and D&PR wing) of the Indian Embassy in Nepal, underscored the importance of the location. He told ANI: "Lumbini is the birthplace of Buddha, such an important place and holding International Day of Yoga gives visibility to both the event and this place, which is of great significance to the world."
Background of International Day of Yoga
The United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga on December 11, 2014, following a proposal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address at the opening of the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 27, 2014. This ushered in an era of holistic health revolution, emphasising prevention over cure. Since its first edition in 2015, India has led the global celebration under the Ministry of AYUSH, with support from state governments, Indian missions abroad, and UN agencies.
The year 2026 marks the 12th observance of International Day of Yoga. The theme for this year is "Yoga for Healthy Ageing," highlighting yoga's role in helping people remain active, independent, and engaged across all age groups.
