Every March, Rishikesh becomes the yoga capital of the world in the truest sense. The International Yoga Festival (IYF) — one of the largest and most celebrated yoga gatherings on the planet — draws thousands of practitioners, spiritual leaders and wellness seekers from across the globe to the banks of the sacred Ganga. If you’re planning to attend the 2027 edition, here’s everything you need to know.
What Is the International Yoga Festival, Rishikesh?
The International Yoga Festival is a world-renowned annual event that celebrates the ancient practice of yoga and its transformative power to promote wellness, spirituality and unity. Held in Rishikesh — widely regarded as the yoga capital of the world — the festival attracts yoga enthusiasts, spiritual seekers and wellness practitioners from across the globe.
The festival was first organized in 1999 when Uttar Pradesh Tourism invited Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh to host the inaugural event. Meditation and yoga classes were organized at the ashram, while participants stayed at surrounding hotels and ashrams. Since its inception, the Yoga Festival Rishikesh has garnered immense popularity that continues to grow with each passing year.
Today, the festival is organized in two concurrent phases each March:
The Parmarth Niketan IYF runs from March 9–15 and the Uttarakhand Government Yoga Festival runs from March 16–22. Together, they draw over 1,500 participants from 80+ countries for yoga sessions, meditation workshops, Ganga Aarti and cultural programmes on the banks of the Ganges.
The 2027 edition is expected to follow the same annual schedule March 9–15 at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, with the government-organized phase running March 16–22.
Who Organizes the International Yoga Festival?
The International Yoga Festival is organized by the Parmarth Niketan Ashram, one of India’s largest spiritual institutions, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) and Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board support the government-run phase of the festival.
The festival is led under the guidance of revered saints, including renowned yoga teachers from across the world representing a wide variety of lineages.
What Happens at the International Yoga Festival?
70+ Hours of Yoga Across Every Style and Lineage
The week-long Yoga Festival in Rishikesh features over 70 hours of yoga classes conducted by world-class yoga teachers practicing various styles, including Iyengar Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Kriya Yoga and Power Vinyasa Yoga. Revered spiritual masters and saints conduct Satsang and other spiritual discourses to enhance participants’ holistic wellness.
The festival programme runs from as early as 4:00 AM with Kundalini Sadhana and extends to 9:30 PM with traditional cultural song, dance and kirtan on the sacred banks of the Ganga.
Satsang, Spiritual Discourses & Cultural Performances
Attendees participate in daily Satsang (spiritual gatherings), inspiring lectures by masters from across traditions and vibrant cultural performances including kirtan and devotional music — giving the festival a depth that goes well beyond a conventional yoga retreat.
The Ganga Aarti — An Unmissable Experience
The daily evening Ganga Aarti is considered the emotional and spiritual heart of the festival. Clay diyas (lamps) are lit along the ghats, prayers are chanted and the entire riverbank transforms into a scene of profound collective devotion. For many attendees, this ritual alone makes the journey worthwhile.
Workshops in Ayurveda, Meditation & Wellness
Alongside yoga sessions, the festival offers learning in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Acupressure, Marma therapy, Chakra Healing, Pranic Healing and Past Life Regression — making it a genuinely holistic wellness event, not just a yoga conference.
Meeting Practitioners from Around the World
Around 1,200 participants and more than 25 ambassadors attend the International Yoga Festival each year. The event draws yoga instructors, wellness practitioners and spiritual leaders from different countries who lead sessions throughout the week.
The 2025 edition saw participants from 75 countries celebrating together — a figure that underscores the festival’s standing as a truly global gathering.
Adventure & Sightseeing in Rishikesh During the Festival
The festival is just one reason to visit. Rishikesh itself offers a full travel experience.
Adventure Sports: Rishikesh is widely considered India’s adventure sports capital. River rafting on the Ganga, bungee jumping, flying fox, giant swing, cliff jumping, kayaking, rappelling, mountain biking, zorbing and trekking are all available — with several operators running packages during the festival season.
Sightseeing: Key landmarks include the iconic Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula suspension bridges, the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Triveni Ghat, Trayambakeshwar (Tera Manzil) Temple, the Vashistha Cave and the Beatles Ashram (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram) — where the Fab Four famously composed much of the White Album in 1968.
Plan Your Visit to the International Yoga Festival with Delightful India Holidays
The International Yoga Festival is one of the most soul-enriching travel experiences India offers — but making the most of it requires planning. Accommodation fills up months in advance and knowing which sessions, workshops and Rishikesh experiences to prioritise makes all the difference.
At Delightful India Holidays, we build custom travel itineraries around the festival that combine the spiritual intensity of the event with the best of Rishikesh and the surrounding Garhwal Himalayas. Whether you’re a solo traveller, a group, or a yoga studio planning a retreat, we handle the details so you can focus on the practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. – When is the International Yoga Festival 2027?
Ans: The 2027 International Yoga Festival is expected to take place in the second week of March 2027 at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh. Exact dates will be confirmed by Parmarth Niketan. Check internationalyogafestival.org for official registration.
Q2. – Where is the International Yoga Festival held?
Ans: The festival is held at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.
Q3. – Is the International Yoga Festival free?
Ans: Many sessions are free. Some workshops require advance registration. Residential packages with accommodation and meals are available at additional cost.
Q4. – How many people attend the International Yoga Festival?
Ans: Recent editions have drawn over 10,000 attendees from more than 33 countries across both the Parmarth Niketan and government-organized phases combined.
