International Yoga day marked in Bashundhara Sports City

Thousands of enthusiasts, students, and practitioners gathered at Dhaka's Bashundhara Sports City on Sunday to mark the 12th International Day of Yoga, highlighting the discipline's booming popularity in Bangladesh.

Organised by the Indian High Commission’s Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC), the 2026 edition championed the global theme of “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”.

The mass event placed a firm focus on the ancient practice's ability to maintain physical agility, respiratory efficiency, and mental acuity.

The centrepiece of the morning was a mass Common Yoga Protocol session.

Led by IGCC instructor Shahnaz Parveen, a vast crowd moved seamlessly through a synchronised routine of foundational postures and breathing exercises, transforming the sprawling sports complex into a disciplined arena of focus and movement.

Bangladesh's growing appetite for the physical and spiritual discipline was further underscored by dynamic displays from leading domestic institutions.

Groups including the Quantum Foundation, Art of Living, Joysan Yoga, and the Notre Dame Yoga and Meditation Club delivered specialised demonstrations, reflecting a highly diverse practitioner base.

Bringing a holistic edge to the day's physical exertion, organisers also debuted a dedicated “Ayurveda Lounge”, where premier wellness brands and medical researchers offered attendees insights into traditional recovery and healthcare.

Sunday’s mass session served as the grand finale of a sprawling nationwide campaign that began on 6 May.

Having staged more than 36 preparatory events across the country with backing from major corporate sponsors like Tata Motors and the Bashundhara Group, organisers declared the 2026 celebration a resounding success.

The massive turnout effectively cemented yoga not just as a passing fitness trend, but as a powerful, permanent fixture in Bangladesh's broader physical wellness landscape.