PM Modi to lead Yoga Day 2025 in Kolkata; 600 teachers, Guinness record bid set
Synopsis
For the first time, Kolkata hosts International Yoga Day — and Prime Minister Modi is leading it himself. With 600 instructors deployed, 30,000-40,000 participants expected, and a live bid to break the Guinness record for yoga on boats by linking 500 vessels on the Ganga, this is shaping up to be the most ambitious Yoga Day edition since the observance began in 2015.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi will personally lead International Yoga Day celebrations in Kolkata on 21 June 2025 .
600 yoga teachers and demonstrators have been selected via the Sports Authority of India complex to manage the event.
An estimated 30,000 to 40,000 participants are expected at the main venue, with a Guinness World Record bid for largest participation.
Preparations are underway to link 500 boats on the River Ganga , surpassing the current record of 450 boats for yoga on water.
Yoga programmes will be held across the Sundarbans , Ganga riverbanks, villages, and city streets in West Bengal .
This is the first time Kolkata is hosting the national International Yoga Day event.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lead the International Yoga Day celebrations in Kolkata on 21 June 2025, marking the first time the national event is being hosted in the city. With an anticipated turnout of 30,000 to 40,000 participants at the main venue, organisers are also targeting a Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous yoga participation.
600 Yoga Teachers Mobilised
A total of 600 yoga teachers and demonstrators have been selected to ensure the smooth conduct of the event, according to Abhijit Ghosh, a yoga instructor and Director of VYASA Kolkata. The selection process was completed at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) complex, and both online and offline practice sessions are now underway to ensure all participants follow a uniform yoga protocol on the day.
Guinness Record Bid on the Ganga
The celebrations will extend beyond land. Yoga sessions have been planned on boats on the River Ganga, with preparations underway to link 500 boats together — surpassing the current Guinness World Record of 450 boats for yoga on water. According to Ghosh, programmes will span the banks of the Ganges, the Sundarbans, villages, and city streets, ensuring the initiative reaches every section of society.
Government Push for Mass Participation
The West Bengal state government has directed district administrations and departments to mobilise citizens from all walks of life for the event. The newly formed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state is reportedly keen to transform the occasion into a mass movement, with the Guinness record attempt serving as a centrepiece of that ambition.
Significance of Kolkata as Host City
Hosting International Yoga Day in Kolkata for the first time carries symbolic weight, given the city's cultural and political significance. This comes amid the BJP's continued efforts to deepen its footprint in West Bengal, and the mega event is expected to draw national and international attention. Notably, the scale of preparation — spanning urban centres, riverbanks, and remote villages — signals an intent to position this edition as one of the most expansive Yoga Day events since the observance began in 2015.
With Prime Minister Modi personally leading the session and a record-breaking boat yoga bid in the works, all eyes will be on Kolkata when the world marks International Yoga Day on 21 June 2025.
Point of View
Having fought hard for ground in West Bengal, is using this high-visibility event to project governance reach and mass connect in a state where it remains a challenger. The Guinness record bid — particularly the 500-boat yoga on the Ganga — is designed for global optics, but the more consequential metric will be genuine grassroots participation beyond the curated main venue. Whether the state machinery's mobilisation translates into voluntary public enthusiasm, or remains a directed turnout, will define whether this becomes a lasting movement or a one-day spectacle.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will PM Modi lead International Yoga Day 2025?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the International Yoga Day 2025 celebrations in Kolkata on 21 June 2025. This is the first time the national event is being hosted in Kolkata.
How many yoga teachers are being deployed for the Kolkata Yoga Day event?
A total of 600 yoga teachers and demonstrators have been selected for the event, with their selection completed at the Sports Authority of India complex. Both online and offline practice sessions are ongoing to ensure a uniform yoga protocol.
What Guinness World Record is being attempted at Yoga Day 2025 in Kolkata?
Organisers are attempting to set a new Guinness World Record by linking 500 boats on the River Ganga for a simultaneous yoga session, surpassing the current record of 450 boats. A separate record bid for largest overall participation is also reportedly planned.
How many people are expected to participate in the Kolkata Yoga Day event?
According to VYASA Kolkata Director Abhijit Ghosh, the main event on 21 June is expected to see between 30,000 and 40,000 people perform yoga together. The state government has directed district administrations to ensure broad public participation.
Why is Kolkata hosting International Yoga Day for the first time?
Kolkata is hosting International Yoga Day for the first time in 2025, with the newly formed BJP state government keen to use the occasion to build a mass movement. The event is expected to span the city, the Sundarbans, Ganga riverbanks, and rural areas across West Bengal.
