Ayush Ministry Sets Guinness Record With 4.35 Lakh Viewers For Global Yoga Livestream

NEW DELHI, June 15: The Ministry of Ayush has created a new Guinness World Record for the largest audience to participate in a YouTube Live yoga session, with 4,35,831 verified viewers joining a global online programme ahead of International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026.

The record was achieved during a special livestream conducted through the ministry’s official YouTube channel, where participants collectively performed the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP). The event formed part of the government’s outreach campaign for this year’s International Day of Yoga celebrations.

According to the ministry, the new benchmark surpassed the previous Guinness World Record of 2,46,252 viewers, set in 2024, by a margin of 1,89,579 participants.

The online session drew yoga practitioners, students, institutions, wellness professionals and enthusiasts from India and abroad. The initiative also promoted the government’s “Yoga 365” campaign, which encourages people to incorporate yoga into their daily lives throughout the year.

Union Minister of State for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, said the achievement reflected yoga’s growing ability to connect people across geographical and cultural boundaries through a shared commitment to health and well-being. He urged citizens to adopt yoga as a regular lifestyle practice rather than limiting it to an annual observance.

Ayush Secretary Rajesh Kotecha described the milestone as evidence of yoga’s expanding global appeal and said the overwhelming response reinforced the importance of making yoga a sustained habit for physical and mental wellness.

The programme also featured messages from senior leaders, including Kiren Rijiju, Mohan Yadav and Mukesh Mahaling, who highlighted yoga’s role in preventive healthcare and holistic well-being.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga and other partner organisations, with technical and instructional support provided during the live session.

The achievement comes ahead of International Day of Yoga 2026, to be observed on June 21 under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”. The main national celebration this year is scheduled to take place in Kolkata.

The ministry said the record underlined the growing international acceptance of yoga and reiterated its call for citizens to embrace the philosophy of “Har Ghar Yoga, Har Din Yoga” for a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.