Embassy of India Celebrates the 12th International Day of Yoga 2026 at the Crown Jewel of Egypt – the Pyramids of Giza

Cairo, 21 June 2026

The Embassy of India celebrated the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026 at the Pyramids of Giza, bringing together senior government representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, distinguished guests, yoga practitioners, media representatives, and friends of India from across Egypt.

Harmonizing the stillness of yoga with the legendary backdrop of the Pyramids, the event highlighted the enduring appeal of yoga, which promotes physical well-being, mental balance, and harmony with nature. Participants joined in a collective yoga session, reaffirming the spirit of unity and wellness that the International Day of Yoga seeks to advance around the world.

 In his remarks on the occasion, H.E. Suresh K. Reddy, Ambassador of India to Egypt, emphasized that yoga has emerged as a powerful global symbol of wellness, inclusivity, and shared human values. He also noted that this year’s celebration at the Pyramids of Giza symbolized the meeting of two ancient civilizations whose rich cultural heritages continue to inspire the world.

Dr. Ashraf Mohi, Director General of the Pyramids and a renowned Egyptologist, and Mr. Mohammed Khamis, the acclaimed Egyptian actor, were also present as Guests of Honour. They appreciated the strength and promising future of Indo-Egyptian ties and reiterated that the iconic Pyramids provided an ideal venue for celebrating the International Day of Yoga. The event concluded with the Ambassador and the Embassy team thanking all attendees and expressing their strong commitment to further strengthening the Indo-Egyptian partnership.

In the lead-up to the event on 21 June, the Embassy of India organized several yoga workshops for diverse segments of Egyptian society. To promote this year’s theme of “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, the Mission held a special Yoga Workshop for the senior citizens of Egypt in collaboration with the Golden Years Foundation. This was attended by around 500 senior citizens from different walks of life. The session and the enthusiastic participation by the attendees underscored the importance of Yoga towards facilitating balance, flexibility and mobility for graceful and health ageing. 

Among the most engaging activities was the “Caricature on Yoga” competition, which encouraged participants to approach wellness creatively. Held in association with the Fayoum Art Centre and Egyptian Caricature Society, this interesting contest attracted more than 200 entries from 33 countries.  Artists interpreted Yoga through the lens of humor, wit and imagination which culminated into an interesting and eclectic set of caricatures. 

Opening further door for creative contours,   “Your Favorite Photo of You Doing Yoga” competition was held by the Embassy.  This competition enabled the participants to capture the essence of yoga through photography. Through the process, the Embassy received several noteworthy submissions from yoga enthusiasts at scenic and cultural landmarks across Cairo and Egypt.

Also, in the past one month, MACIC (Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture) organized a series named “IDY 2026 Yoga Video Series”.  Through this series, several dedicated yoga instructors demonstrated various yoga techniques and asanas. These included Balasana (Child’s Pose), Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose), and Dandasana (Staff Pose), among others.

In addition to the signature events, the Embassy and MACIC  held Yoga Workshops and India Culture Day across several Governorates of Egypt- including Ismailia and Alexandria. Each of these events attracted significant footfall reaffirming the deep appeal of Yoga in Egypt and the vibrant people to people ties between the two nations!

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