Sumit Nayyar
The International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025 marks a significant milestone-the 11th anniversary of this global celebration. Under the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” this year’s observance emphasizes yoga’s vital role in promoting holistic well-being and environmental harmony.
As the world prepares for International Yoga Day 2025, the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” takes center stage, guiding a wide range of activities that highlight yoga’s role in fostering physical, mental, and environmental wellness. These efforts align with global calls for sustainability and unity.
Among the various programs planned by the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, for IDY 2025, many resonate with this year’s theme. One key initiative is “Yoga Samavesh,” which aims to promote yoga among special groups, including senior citizens, diabetic patients, pregnant women, and individuals undergoing drug de-addiction treatment.
During the Mann Ki Baat program, the Prime Minister expressed pride in the growing global interest in yoga and traditional medicine. He acknowledged the rising popularity of Ayush systems worldwide and appreciated contributors like the ‘Somos India’ team-meaning “We are India” in Spanish-for promoting yoga and Ayurveda for nearly a decade through treatment and education. They have translated essential material into Spanish, with around 9,000 participants in their events last year.
PM Narendra Modi also urged everyone to incorporate yoga into their daily routines and take pride in the country’s traditional wisdom for overall well-being.
Yoga Centre at Mantalai: A Beacon of Holistic Wellness
In Jammu & Kashmir, the internationally renowned International Yoga Centre at Mantalai is nearing completion. The Central Government sanctioned ?99 crore for the development of this picturesque hill resort under the Prime Minister’s Development Package.
Out of the total sanctioned amount, ?83.73 crore has been allocated specifically for Mantalai. The project includes the construction of a yoga center, wellness and Ayurveda complex, tourist facilitation center, cafeteria, accommodation facilities, eco-parking, herbal garden, meditation enclave, landscaping, rainwater harvesting fountains, and a children’s activity zone. However, to date, development on the ground has been slow.
Once an internationally famous hub buzzing with activity, Mantalai continues to attract large numbers of tourists each year, captivated by its natural charm. The buildings constructed decades ago, the helipad, and other remnants reflect the legacy of Swami Dhirendra Brahmachari, who once ran an ashram here and conducted yoga classes.
Nearby Sudhmahadev is also a prominent religious and tourist spot with immense potential for growth.
The International Yoga Centre in Mantalai is part of a larger project titled “Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Mantalai-Sudhmahadev-Patnitop under the Himalayan Circuit,” implemented under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme launched by the Ministry of Tourism. This scheme aims to develop potential tourist destinations across India.
The Legacy of Swami Dhirendra Brahmachari
Yoga is one of the six major schools of Indian philosophy. It is both an art and a science of healthy, peaceful living. Its purpose ranges from creating harmony between mind, body, and soul to uniting individual consciousness with universal consciousness.
India, the birthplace of yoga, remains the world’s most revered center for yoga.
In the late 1970s, Dhirendra Brahmachari popularized yoga through a weekly broadcast on Doordarshan, the national television network. He introduced yoga as a formal subject in Delhi-administered schools-an innovation at the time-and later introduced it to Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country in 1981.
He established the Vishwayatan Yoga Ashram in Delhi, now known as the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, and owned campuses in Jammu, Katra, and Mantalai. These centers were closed after his death and have yet to reopen. He authored several books on yoga, including Yogic Sukshma Vyayama and Yogasana Vijnana.
His ashram in Mantalai spanned over 1008 kanals of land, featuring private airstrips, a hangar, a zoo, and even a 7-storey building in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu. Dhirendra Brahmachari passed away in a plane crash near Mantalai on 9 June 1994.
Mantalai is also steeped in mythology. It is believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Parvati and the site where Lord Shiva married Parvati.
Infrastructure and Legal Oversight
The National Projects Construction Corporation (NPCC), a Government of India enterprise, has completed work at the yoga center in compliance with directives passed by the Hon’ble High Court in a Public Interest Litigation titled “Sumit Nayyar vs. Union of India & Others.”
Additional facilities, including a swimming pool, airstrip, helipad, spa, gymnasium, auditorium, hostels, and a business convention center, are underway. The center is designed to accommodate 60-70 people at a time across the yoga, spa, and treatment areas.
India’s Role in Promoting Yoga Globally
Yoga originated in India over 5,000 years ago. It has always been an intrinsic part of Indian culture, long before it gained international popularity. In his address at the United Nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea of establishing International Yoga Day, which was subsequently adopted by the UN in 2014.
Objectives of International Yoga Day
* Promote physical and mental health benefits among people
* Raise awareness about yoga’s holistic advantages
* Encourage natural and effective wellness practices
* Help individuals connect with nature through daily yoga
* Reduce the prevalence of chronic and fatal diseases globally
* Foster community spirit and quality time for well-being
* Support peaceful living through development and growth
* Motivate people to overcome negativity and embrace yoga
* Cultivate healthy lifestyles and wellness habits
In Conclusion
“Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.”
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy International Yoga Day!
(The author is an Advocate J&K High Court)
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