Lucknow — In a vibrant blend of wellness and heritage, the Uttar Pradesh government is set to celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21 with grand fervor across the state. A week-long series of events has already begun from June 15, with yoga sessions and competitions being held at schools, public spaces, and even spiritual and cultural landmarks.
Mass yoga demonstrations will be held at iconic sites such as Gorakhdham Temple in Gorakhpur, Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Naimisharanya Chakra Tirth in Sitapur, and the Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi. Other significant locations including Raj Bhavan in Lucknow and Prem Mandir in Mathura will also host large-scale yoga events.
Yoga Week, which commenced on June 15, is being observed across all districts, blocks, tehsils, and village panchayats with full public participation. Participants are being encouraged to take a yoga pledge to promote health and harmony.
Yoga Reaches Every Corner
The state has ensured that yoga activities will reach every segment of society — from schoolchildren and college students to women, differently-abled individuals, prisoners, and slum dwellers.
-
June 16: Yoga sessions and creative competitions (poster-making, essay writing, quizzes, and rangoli) are being held in schools and colleges.
-
June 17: Under ‘Ayush Gram Yoga Day’, rural health camps and yoga sessions are being organized at the village level.
-
June 18: Special yoga programs have been planned for marginalised groups such as inmates, people with disabilities, orphanages, and slum communities.
-
June 19: Government and corporate offices will conduct collective yoga practice sessions.
-
June 20: A special day focused on women’s health, with yoga events targeting schoolgirls, pregnant women, elderly women, and working professionals.
-
June 21: On International Yoga Day, the main events will take place at Raj Bhavan lawns, the Residency, and district headquarters across UP, followed by prize distributions for various competitions.
Competitions and Rewards
Essay writing, slogan creation, painting, and yoga posture competitions are being conducted at both district and state levels. Entries are open on the official portal http://iyd2025.com until 5 PM on June 16.
Winners will be honored during the main event on June 21. The state-level awards include:
-
First Prize: ₹21,000
-
Second Prize: ₹11,000
-
Third Prize: ₹5,100
-
Fourth Prize: ₹2,100
-
Fifth Prize: ₹1,100
To facilitate smooth prize distribution at the district level, over ₹2.63 crore has already been allocated to all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
This year’s celebration aims not just at promoting yoga, but at weaving it into the cultural, spiritual, and everyday fabric of life in the state — truly living the motto of “Yoga for Harmony and Peace.”
