Ayush ministry sets Guinness World Record with 4.35 lakh viewers on Yoga livestream

NEW DELHI: Yoga has once again stretched India’s global footprint, with the ministry of ayush setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest viewership of a YouTube live Yoga stream ahead of the upcoming International Day of Yoga 2026.

A special online Yoga session hosted on the ministry’s official YouTube channel attracted 4,35,831 verified viewers from across the world, comfortably surpassing the previous Guinness World Record of 2,46,252 viewers set in 2024. The new benchmark exceeded the earlier record by 1,89,579 viewers.

The record-setting event formed part of the Ministry’s outreach activities leading up to International Day of Yoga 2026 and featured the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP). Participants included Yoga practitioners, students, institutions, professionals and wellness enthusiasts from India and overseas, reflecting the growing international appeal of the ancient practice.

Addressing the global audience, ministry of ayush union minister of state (independent charge) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav hailed the achievement as a reflection of Yoga’s unifying power.

“Today’s achievement demonstrates the extraordinary power of Yoga to connect people across regions, cultures, and nations through a shared commitment to health and well-being. This new Guinness World Record reflects the growing global acceptance of Yoga as a way of life and reinforces our collective resolve to make Yoga an integral part of daily living,” said Prataprao Jadhav.

He also encouraged citizens worldwide to embrace the Ministry’s “Yoga 365” campaign and integrate Yoga into their everyday routines as the country moves towards International Day of Yoga celebrations later this month.

Echoing the sentiment, ministry of ayush secretary Rajesh Kotecha said the milestone was about much more than setting a record.

“This achievement is not merely about setting a new world record; it is about the message we are sending to the world. The overwhelming participation demonstrates the growing recognition of Yoga as a powerful tool for health and well-being. Our objective is to encourage people to embrace Yoga not as a one-day event, but as a lifelong practice and make ‘Yoga 365’ a reality,” said Rajesh Kotecha.

The livestream also featured special messages from several prominent leaders, including Mukesh Mahaling, Kiren Rijiju and Mohan Yadav. They highlighted Yoga’s role in preventive healthcare, holistic wellness and healthy living, while urging citizens to adopt the spirit of Yoga 365.

The event was organised in collaboration with Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga and other partner organisations. Participants from across the globe joined the session online and performed the Common Yoga Protocol under expert guidance from the Habuild team.

This year’s International Day of Yoga will be celebrated under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, focusing on Yoga’s contribution to healthy longevity, improved quality of life and overall physical, mental and emotional well-being. The main national celebration is scheduled to take place in Kolkata on 21 June.

As preparations gather pace, the record-breaking turnout offers a strong signal that Yoga’s global reach continues to expand, reinforcing India’s efforts to promote “Har Ghar Yoga, Har Din Yoga” as a movement that extends well beyond a single day of celebration.