International Festival of Yoga and Meditation 2026 Celebrated in Leh; Experts Advocate Integration of Yoga and Sowa Rigpa for Public Health.
Leh:
As part of the ongoing International Festival of Yoga and Meditation 2026, a seminar on “Integration of Yoga for Public Health” was organized at the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa (NISR), Leh, in collaboration with the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre. The event brought together renowned experts, practitioners, delegates, and participants to discuss the growing role of Yoga and traditional systems of medicine in promoting holistic health and well-being.
The programme commenced with a guided visit to the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa and its museum, offering participants insights into the rich heritage of the traditional Tibetan system of medicine. The seminar then proceeded with a series of discussions and presentations focusing on preventive healthcare and wellness.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Padma Gurmet, Director of NISR, highlighted the significance of the International Festival of Yoga and Meditation and emphasized the need to integrate Yoga with Sowa Rigpa to strengthen preventive healthcare systems and public health initiatives. He noted that the combination of these traditional knowledge systems can contribute significantly to improving overall community health and wellness.
The Chief Guest, Dr. Ishwar V. Basavaraddi, former Director of the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, shared his perspectives on the role of Yoga in achieving holistic health and well-being. He underlined Yoga’s effectiveness in enhancing physical fitness, mental balance, and emotional resilience, making it a valuable tool for modern healthcare.
Prominent Buddhist spiritual leader Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena spoke on the importance of meditation, compassion, and inner well-being. He emphasized that cultivating mindfulness and compassion can play a vital role in fostering sustainable health, social harmony, and personal transformation.
The seminar featured several expert presentations on themes such as “Building Emotional Resilience through Yoga,” “Emotional Fitness: A Skill for the Future,” and “The Integration of Yoga with Sowa Rigpa.” These sessions explored how Yoga contributes not only to physical health but also to emotional strength, mental wellness, and overall holistic development.
The seminar forms part of the week-long International Festival of Yoga and Meditation 2026, being celebrated across Ladakh from June 15 to June 21 to mark the 12th United Nations International Day of Yoga. The festival includes a wide range of activities such as Yogathons, meditation sessions, youth outreach programmes, and Yoga events at some of Ladakh’s most iconic locations.
Among the major attractions of the festival are special Yoga sessions being conducted at Siachen Base Camp, one of the world’s highest military deployment zones, and the scenic Pangong Lake. These events symbolize Yoga’s universal message of harmony, peace, and well-being while showcasing Ladakh as a unique destination for wellness tourism, meditation, and holistic living.
The festival continues to draw enthusiastic participation from Yoga practitioners, spiritual seekers, tourists, and local communities, reinforcing the importance of integrating traditional wisdom with modern public health approaches for a healthier and more balanced society.
