International Day of Yoga 2026 celebrated at Bashundhara Sports City

The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) of the High Commission of India in Dhaka celebrated the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026 with a vibrant gathering of yoga enthusiasts, students, wellness practitioners and distinguished guests at Bashundhara Sports City in the capital’s Bashundhara Residential Area on Sunday.
Observed annually on 21 June, the International Day of Yoga celebrates yoga, an ancient practice originating in India that has gained worldwide recognition for promoting physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
The theme of IDY 2026, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, highlights the role of yoga in fostering longevity, physical fitness and mental wellness at every stage of life.
Indian High Commissioner-designate Dinesh Trivedi attended the event, underscoring the growing cultural ties between India and Bangladesh through the practice of yoga. The celebration brought together participants from diverse backgrounds to promote health, wellness and harmony.
A key feature of the programme was the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) session conducted by Shahanaz Parvin, yoga teacher at IGCC, along with her students. Participants enthusiastically performed a series of yoga postures and breathing exercises designed for beginners and intermediate practitioners.

The event also featured yoga demonstrations by members of several leading yoga institutions in Bangladesh, including Joysan Yoga, Hu Art of Yoga, Self Healing Hub, Art of Living, Evergreen Yoga School, Notre Dame Yoga & Meditation Club, Quantum Foundation and The Academy of a Better World (Brahma Kumaris). The demonstrations showcased the growing popularity and diversity of yoga practice in the country.
A special attraction of this year’s celebration was the Ayurveda Lounge, which promoted awareness of Ayurveda as a holistic system of health and wellness. The lounge featured display kiosks by The Ayurveda Medical & Research, Ousadhi Laboratories and Oshin Naturals, offering visitors information on Ayurvedic healthcare solutions. Visitors also had access to books on Ayurveda available through the High Commission of India Library.
The main event marked the culmination of an extensive series of outreach activities organised in the lead-up to IDY 2026. Following a curtain-raiser event on 6 May, the IGCC organised and supported more than 36 yoga-related pre-events across Bangladesh in collaboration with yoga institutes, media organisations and educational institutions. The initiatives helped raise awareness about the benefits of yoga and encouraged wider public participation.
The organisers acknowledged the support of event partners, including Bashundhara Group, Marico Bangladesh, Tata Motors, Nitol Motors, Ashok Leyland, IFAD, Zaya Gold, Royal Gold, PN Composite, Probridhi Apparels, State Bank of India Bangladesh and Indian Oil Corporation Limited, for their valuable contributions to the successful organisation of the event.
Among the Indian diplomats attending the event were Deputy High Commissioner and Charge d’Affaires Pawan Badhe, Minister (Consular and Education) Subhash Ramakrishna Pillai, First Secretary (Political and Press) Gokul VK, and First Secretary (Political) and Director of IGCC Ann Mary George.