From Siachen to Shahi Kangri: Indian Army Celebrates International Yoga Day 2025
On June 21, 2025, the Indian Army personnel celebrated the 11th International Yoga Day across some of the toughest terrains—from the icy heights of Shahi Kangri Lake and the Galwan Valley to the rugged Siachen Glacier. Demonstrating extraordinary resolve, the soldiers transformed these challenging locations into centres of mindfulness, fitness, and resilience.
Indian Army units marked the occasion by practising yoga across various strategically significant locations in the Himalayas, showcasing unity, discipline, and holistic wellness. The central theme for the event, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” emphasised a shared global vision of interconnected wellness.
Why was Yoga Day significant at Shahi Kangri Lake?
Located at an altitude of around 20,000 feet, Shahi Kangri Lake poses severe physical challenges due to its extreme weather and thin oxygen levels. Yet, the Indian Army personnel performed yoga at this daunting elevation, reinforcing their mental focus, emotional balance, and physical endurance.
“Amidst the icy expanse of Shahi Kangri Lake at 20,000 feet, Indian Army marked the International Yoga Day 2025 with unwavering resolve and inner still. In a place where every breath is a challenge, soldiers embraced yoga, a source of strength, clarity, and resilience,” stated a social media post by Fire and Fury Corps of the Indian Army.
How did the Indian Army observe Yoga Day in Galwan Valley and Pangong Tso?
In the Galwan Valley, situated at an altitude of over 15,000 feet, Army personnel practiced yoga to strengthen both their physical fitness and mental resilience. The exercise at this historically significant site reflected the Army’s commitment to wellness amidst adversity.
Further east, at Pangong Tso lake and nearby border villages, soldiers engaged in synchronised asanas accompanied by chants. Celebrating the spirit of yoga, they reinforced the core message of unity and global health.
“Indian Army honoured the timeless heritage of yoga at banks of majestic Pangong Tso and nearby border villages, promoting physical health, mental clarity, and emotional resilience,” noted Fire and Fury Corps.
What was the significance of Yoga Day at Siachen Glacier and Nubra Valley?
Along the world’s highest battlefield—the Siachen Glacier—soldiers practiced yoga from base camps to forward posts. This underscored the Army’s commitment to holistic wellness even in the harshest environmental conditions, symbolising inner peace amid external challenges.
Meanwhile, in the scenic Nubra Valley, Army personnel collaborated with local communities in observing Yoga Day. The event became a collective celebration, promoting harmony and shared wellness practices between the military and civilians.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national celebrations from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, performing the Common Yoga Protocol alongside over 300,000 participants. Synchronised yoga sessions were conducted simultaneously across India under the ‘Yoga Sangam’ initiative, emphasising the interconnectedness of human and planetary health.
