Largest Yoga day event in Guatemala / X (@IndiaInGuate)

Guatemala on June 13 hosted the largest International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebration ever held outside India, drawing more than 10,000 yoga enthusiasts.

Organized by the Embassy of India in Guatemala, the event held at the Juan Ramón Ponce Guay Stadium in San Pedro Carchá, Cobán brought together students, teachers, military personnel, and community members from across the region for a large-scale group yoga session.

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History was made in San Pedro Carchá, as @IndiaInGuate, with the Municipality, Dept of Education, and Don Bosco Centers, hosted the world’s largest #IDY2025 yoga gathering outside India, bringing together 10,000 participants in a powerful celebration of wellness and unity. pic.twitter.com/6Xm5a2EVaK

— India in Guatemala (@IndiaInGuate) June 14, 2025

“This is the largest yoga event we’ve ever organized outside India,” said India’s Ambassador to Guatemala, Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, during his address. He thanked local partners for their help in organizing the event and highlighted the role of yoga in promoting peace, health, and community spirit.

The stadium was packed with students from local schools, who made up the bulk of the participants. The yoga session, led by Embassy yoga teacher Ruth Morales, followed the Common Yoga Protocol and included basic postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” similar events in El Salvador and Honduras on June 21, continuing its campaign to promote yoga and strengthen cultural outreach in the region.

Vibrant cultural performances & a local orchestra playing Guatemala, India, & San Pedro Carchá anthems lit up #IDY2025, celebrating unity & harmony at the world’s largest yoga event outside India!#YogaForOneEarthOneHealth @iccr_hq @MEAIndia @moayush pic.twitter.com/uk2ghiJi9x

— India in Guatemala (@IndiaInGuate) June 14, 2025

Before the session began, attendees observed a moment of silence in memory of the 274 people killed in a plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, a day earlier. The national anthems of India, Guatemala, and the municipality of San Pedro Carchá were performed by a local orchestra.

Mayor Erwin Alfonso Catún Maquín of San Pedro Carchá welcomed participants and said the municipality was proud to host such an important cultural event. He expressed hope that yoga would become a regular part of life for people in the community.

Mayor Erwin Alfonso Catún Maquín expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be part of this historic occasion. He stated that the Municipality was honored to support such a meaningful initiative and pledged to continue promoting Yoga as a part of community life in the future. pic.twitter.com/MVXNu85wGg

— India in Guatemala (@IndiaInGuate) June 14, 2025

The celebration was organized in collaboration with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the Municipality of San Pedro Carchá, the Don Bosco Center Association, and the Governor’s office of Alta Verapaz. 

The event was supported by several Guatemalan ministries, including Education and Defence, and a number of Indian businesses operating in the country. These companies—such as HCL Tech, TCS, Grupo Uma, Caplin Point, and others—contributed items like yoga mats, T-shirts, water bottles, and refreshments to support the event.

Heartfelt thanks to our sponsors - @KRISHPAR_GT_SA, Pradilsha, Striker Pharma, @hcltech, @caplin, Khushi Enterprises, Lakshmi Capital, @TCS, @247ai, Lukah Medical, Grupo Uma, @SierraTextiles for making #IDY2025 a historic success. @MEAIndia @iccr_hq @moayush pic.twitter.com/Qwku3NNMVm

— India in Guatemala (@IndiaInGuate) June 15, 2025

The Embassy said this year’s turnout was the result of four years of steady growth. From 2,500 participants in 2022, numbers rose to 3,500 in 2023 and 5,000 in 2024. This year’s event crossed the 10,000 mark for the first time.

In the days leading up to the main celebration, the Embassy also held yoga sessions in Izabal and Chalal, drawing more than 2,000 participants combined.

To mark the occasion, Ambassador Mohapatra presented busts of Mahatma Gandhi to three Don Bosco institutions, symbolizing India’s message of peace and nonviolence. Commemorative plaques were also given to local leaders, companies, and volunteers who supported the effort.
“This is more than just exercise,” Ambassador Mohapatra said. “It’s about bringing people together and sharing a message of harmony and health with the world.”

Amb. @manojifs expressed heartfelt gratitude to@iccr_hq & all stakeholders for their contributions in making the event the largest yoga gathering outside India. He congratulated the people of Guatemala for emerging as a shining beacon of yoga on the global stage pic.twitter.com/ykepCILkgc

— India in Guatemala (@IndiaInGuate) June 14, 2025

The Embassy plans to hold similar events in El Salvador and Honduras on June 21, continuing its campaign to promote yoga and strengthen cultural outreach in the region.