Expressing concern that young people are becoming vulnerable to heart ailments, Modi said, "Yoga can play a huge role in tackling the issue and hence, this year's theme is 'Yoga for Heart'." He also appealed to the people to take yoga to all sections of society.
Several Bollywood stars took part in various yoga sessions across India.
Ayush Minister Shripad Naik on Wednesday said there was "no compulsion" to say 'Om' during the World Yoga Day programme.
With the matter snowballing into a political controversy, both the Janaat Dal-United and the BJP tried to play down the issue.
Brimming with excitement and energy, thousands of people across the country gathered in large numbers at various parks and public squares to mark the third International Day of Yoga.
On the International Day of Yoga, Rediff.com's Hitesh Harisinghani captures Mumbai in its fittest form.
Terming the participation of thousands of people during the first International Yoga Day at Rajpath as "overwhelming", a representative of Guinness Book of World Records hoped that the event will set a world record.
Doordarshan would be deploying more than 20 hi-definition cameras for the coverage of the event on June 21.
On Sunday, under the shadow of Covid-19, several leaders and politicians, including President Ram Nath Kovind, chief ministers of various states, and several Union ministers, among others, performed yoga at their residence, along with their families. For the first time since June 21, 2015, Yoga Day is being celebrated digitally. This year's theme is 'Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family'. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the occasion of Yoga Day and said that due to the coronavirus pandemic, the world is feeling the need for yoga more than ever.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has released a list of 50 ministers with their assigned locations, where they will participate in the Yoga Day celebrations on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the early morning session on the first International Yoga Day at Rajpath in New Delhi.
Celebrations will take place in 150 countries with Indian missions coordinating activities in landmark places such as Eiffel Tower in Paris, Trafalgar Square in London and Central Park in New York.
Some of the big names who decided to roll out the yoga mat
A look at the pictures from the event!
The celebrations in China will be second biggest in the world after India.
'Nobody is making yoga compulsory. If you don't want to do it, it is okay. Yoga has no religion.'
After Yoga got a strong leg up on the world stage following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for observing an International Yoga Day, the European Union has backed the initiative.
"I have supported yoga but opposed Surya Namaskar. Muslims cannot perform Surya Namaskar. Surya Namaskar is an act within yoga. Every man and woman should do yoga. Yoga should be done in madrasas and mosques too. But Surya Namaskar is bowing to the sun, worshipping the sun. Islam forbids all these things."
There has been a controversy over this asana, with Muslim groups saying their faith does not allow such a practice.
Welcome to Day 4 of Rediff's week-long celebration of Yoga ahead of the International Day of Yoga. Today, learn about Phalakasana or the Plank Pose.
'Despite acting in some 100 films and television plays, people still remember the daadi of Hum Log.'
A resolution has been tabled in the New York City Council to recognise June 21 as 'World Yoga Day' in New York in line with the United Nations' decision to commemorate the day annually.
Today, learn about Utthita Trikonasana or the Extended Triangle Pose.
Indians celebrated the second International Day of Yoga on Tuesday at different parts of the country.
The PMO said mass yoga demonstrations will be organised at 75 iconic locations across the country under the leadership of 75 Union ministers, with Modi attending the exercise at Mysore.
Asha Bhosle, the legendary playback singer, had a lifelong passion for cooking, which she considered a stress reliever and a way to connect with loved ones.
Welcome to Day 2 of Rediff's week-long celebration of Yoga ahead of the International Day of Yoga. Today, learn about Virabhadrasana II or the Warrior II Pose.
After the United Nations declared June 21 as the International Yoga Day in December last year at India's request, the officers in the Ministry of Ayush began ideating about how to celebrate it in the country.
In this new series on modern marriages, Payal* tells Divya Nair how she coped with the unexpected challenges that followed her impulsive marriage to her best friend.
Among the hoards of Yoga enthusiasts who marked International Yoga Day on Sunday was India's Olympic boxing champ Mary Kom.
Sadhus and seers of Haridwar on Tuesday threatened to launch a countrywide agitation if surya namaskar is not included.
As we prep for International Yoga Day, here's a quiz to test you on all things Yoga.
If a patient complains of chest pain, irrespective of what you might think the reason could be, you shouldn't delay getting medical help, advises Dr Abhilash Mishra.
The Yoga celebration led by Prime Minister Modi at the UN headquarters created the Guinness World Record for participation of people of most nationalities, officials said.
The stage is set for International Yoga Day celebrations tomorrow as India leads 191 countries to mark the day with over 35,000 participants expected to perform various yoga 'asanas' at a mega event on Rajpath in New Delhi.
rediffGURU Pushpa R, founder of Radiant Yoga Vibes, suggests how yoga can help you lead a healthy life.
Not to be left behind, the armed forces have planned yoga sessions on board warships and even at Siachen, the world's highest battlefield, to celebrate the first International Yoga Day on June 21.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday clear that participation in the events was not 'compulsory'.
As the world on Sunday celebrated the inaugural International Day of Yoga, in Pakistan it remained confined to the premises of Indian High Commission in Islamabad with the staff of the mission along with other foreign diplomats in the country performing 'asanas'.
The Gujarat government on Tuesday said the upcoming 'World Yoga Day' on June 21 will be celebrated at more than 29,000 locations across the state.
