Namo Ghat Hosts Grand Opening of International Yoga Week, Hundreds Participate
Varanasi: The International Yoga Week, organized to mark the 12th International Yoga Day (June 21, 2026), commenced on Monday morning at Namo Ghat. The theme for International Yoga Day this year is "Yoga for Healthy Aging."
The event was presided over by Varanasi's Chief Development Officer, Prakhar Kumar Singh, while the proceedings were conducted by Paras Yadav 'Pappu' and Dr. Deepika Dave. The chief guest was Dr. Dayashankar Mishra 'Dayalu', Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and the guest of honor was Hansraj Vishwakarma, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Government of Uttar Pradesh.
The chief guest and guest of honor, along with Regional Ayurvedic and Unani Officer Dr. Arvind Kumar, Dr. Nitesh Srivastava, SDM Pawan Kumar Singh, Basic Education Officer Sanjay Yadav, Dinesh Yadav 'Pappu', Govardhan Puja Committee President Vinod Yadav 'Gappu', and other dignitaries, inaugurated the International Yoga Week by lighting the ceremonial lamp.
Following this, hundreds of men and women gathered at Namo Ghat and performed a collective yoga session under the guidance of yoga instructors Dinesh Kumar Maurya and Aarti Singh, adhering to the AYUSH Ministry's yoga protocol.
In their addresses, AYUSH Minister Dr. Dayashankar Mishra 'Dayalu' and Minister Hansraj Vishwakarma urged everyone to make yoga a part of their daily lives. They noted that India is now respected globally as a 'Yoga Guru'. This ancient tradition of yoga was developed by sages and seers for human welfare, happiness, and prosperity, and is now being embraced by the entire world.