International Yoga Festival 2026 Celebrates the Power of Shiva and Shakti on Day Two
Day Two highlights include a powerful Shakti-themed Wisdom Talks plenary, diverse yoga traditions, Ayurveda sessions and an electrifying evening performance by Drums Shivamani and Runaa Rizvii Shivamani.
RISHIKESH, INDIA — The second day of the International Yoga Festival (IYF)* 2026 at Parmarth Niketan, in partnership with the Ministry of AYUSH and Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India unfolded with powerful energy as participants from across the world gathered on the sacred banks of Maa Ganga for a full day of yoga, meditation, wisdom talks and spiritual experiences.
Over the years the event has welcomed many distinguished dignitaries, including its inauguration by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi via live video conferencing in 2017 and by the Hon’ble former Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu in 2018.
The festival’s roots date back to 1989, when it was first organized in Rishikesh in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, at a time when Uttarakhand had not yet been formed as a separate state. Since 1999, the festival has been hosted annually at Parmarth Niketan, where it has grown into one of the world’s largest and most respected global gatherings of yoga masters, spiritual leaders and practitioners. Over the years the festival has welcomed many distinguished dignitaries, including its inauguration via live video conferencing by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi in 2017 and the in-person inauguration by the Hon’ble former Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu in 2018.
After a powerful inaugural session last evening blessed by Acharya Balkrishna of Patanjali Yogpeeth, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati, President of Parmarth Niketan, and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, Director of the International Yoga Festival, the first day of the International Yoga Festival 2026 at Parmarth Niketan concluded, welcoming yogis, teachers, and seekers from around the world. The evening culminated with the world-famous Ganga Aarti, energised by the powerful drumming of Padamshri Shivamaniji and Runa Rizvii Shivamaniji, followed by a heartfelt Global Peace Prayer led by Yogacharya Ganga Nandini invited the international community gathered at the festival to join in a moment of silence and collective prayer for peace and harmony in the world, followed by dynamic Mallakhamb performances by Dhronacharya Awardee Yogesh Malviyaji and Parmarth Gurukul Rishikumars led by Yogacharya Mayank Bhatt celebrating India’s ancient yogic athletic traditions and bringing the first day of the festival to a powerful and uplifting close.
The second day of the festival featured at the heart of the day an inspiring Wisdom Talks Spiritual Plenary Session titled Shakti: The Creative Power of Consciousness – The Feminine Force at the Heart of Yoga.
The session featured an extraordinary lineup of speakers including Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, internationally respected spiritual teacher and Director of the International Yoga Festival; Shiva Rea, eminent and renowned Yogacharini, founder of Prana Vinyasa Yoga; Kia Miller, renowned Kundalini yoga teacher; and Runaa Rizvii Shivamani, acclaimed Indian vocalist known for her soulful Sufi and fusion music.
Moderated by Yogacharya Aadhya, the discussion explored the profound role of the feminine energy of Shakti in awakening creativity, compassion and consciousness within each individual.
Speakers emphasized that Shakti represents the dynamic force of transformation within the universe and within ourselves, reminding participants that yoga is not only a physical practice but also a pathway to awakening the creative power that resides within every being.
Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati ji shared “Very often I find myself the only woman on faith-based stages. I see it not as a burden, but as a blessing — to hold that space with my presence and remind every girl and woman in the world that there is space for them too. When we create that space within ourselves, we create it for others. The feminine is not meant to be contained; it is meant to uplift, expand, and lead.”
Kia Miller added “Inhale, hold, and exhale, relax — and suddenly there is a moment where I am not the masks I wear. In that space there is acceptance, containment, and a deep presence — the activation of an indomitable will. Cultivating my relationship with that energy has guided my life. Just as the Durga Saptashati teaches, when the challenge appears, the creative force rises to meet it.”
Shiva Rea shared “Through the path of Sahaj Samadhi we remember the natural arising of Shakti — the creative force that moves like the birthing process itself. From the ancient teachings of Matsyendranath to the wisdom of the Rishikas, from the chakras to the swaras, this lineage reminds us that awakening is not something forced, but something that naturally unfolds when we surrender to Shiva and Shakti.
So much of our history — the ‘her story’ of the feminine, the dancers, the yoginis, the Devi — has been lost or cut away through time, from Mohenjo-daro to Khajuraho and beyond. Yet the creative energy of Shakti cannot be erased. As we remember and reclaim it, we realize that her story is not separate — it is our story.”
Runa Rizvi ji shared “ Jai Gange, They say when you sit next to a guru like Pujya Swamiji and Pujya Sadhviji, or an enlightened soul or a yogi who has given and surrendered their life to disciple, to knowledge, you will receive those drops of knowledge and enlightenment. The Maha Atma ( great soul ), has to come into the womb of Maha Shakti to enter this world. So who is the real atma? Shiva can not create without shakti and shakti cannot create without shiva”.
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Dawn Yoga Practices Inspire Participants from Across the Globe
As the sun rose over the majestic Himalayas and the sacred Ganga, participants began their day immersed in powerful yogic practices designed to awaken the body, mind and spirit.
The morning opened with Lila Yoga Vinyasa led by Erica Kaufman, guiding participants to discover inner strength and stability through mindful movement and breath.
Rohini Manohar led Arjuna’s Dilemma: Yoga in Motion, drawing inspiration from the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita and encouraging practitioners to explore the path of self-awareness through movement.
Participants also deepened their understanding of alignment and stability in Mindful Strength Integration through Standing Poses in Classical Iyengar Yoga with Neeru Kathpal.
Har Hari Singh offered an Introduction to Sat Nam Rasayan: The Art of Healing Presence, sharing subtle healing techniques rooted in deep meditative awareness.
Tommy Rosen, founder of Recovery 2.0, guided participants through a powerful Nervous System Reset, exploring how yoga and meditation can support healing and emotional resilience.
Mohan Bhandari led Prana Shuddhi – The Traditional Path of Purification, sharing traditional yogic practices designed to purify the body and mind.
The morning also included Nature and Awareness with Dasa Das, inviting participants to reconnect with the natural world through mindful awareness, before concluding with Sacred Sunrise Chanting with Anandra George, as voices rose in unison in sacred mantra along the banks of the Ganga.
Following the morning practices, participants gathered for tea before joining the Sacred Fire Ceremony (Yagna/Havan) led by Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, offering prayers for peace, healing and harmony for the entire world.
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Yoga Traditions from Around the World
The morning continued with a diverse range of sessions reflecting the rich diversity of yoga traditions practiced across the world.
Participants joined Yogāsana and Śravanā with Stewart Gilchrist, an internationally respected yoga teacher known for his dynamic and authentic teachings.
Sensei Sandeep Desai led Ashtanga Standing Postures, bringing together elements of Ashtanga Yoga, martial arts and mindful movement.
Aadhya offered a powerful Hatha Vinyasa session, guiding students through a balanced flow of strength, breath and awareness.
Ishan Tigunait, spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute, led Revealing Pranic Awareness: A Guided Yoga and Vishoka Meditation Experience, helping participants explore the deeper dimensions of pranic energy and meditation.
The morning concluded with Meditative Kirtan: Prema Bhakti to Begin the Day with Stine Dulong and friends.
Additional sessions included NeuroBalance: Nadi Yoga for Motor Neuron and Degenerative Disorder Prevention with Acharya Ashish Gilhotra, Prana Mandala Vinyasa with Shiva Rea, and Free Your Voice Kirtan with Simon Glöde, encouraging participants to express devotion through music and mantra.
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Afternoon Sessions Explore Yoga, Ayurveda and the Science of Mind
Throughout the afternoon, participants continued their journey through a wide variety of experiential and educational sessions.
Jahnavi Claire Missingham led a vibrant Vinyasa Practice, while Paula Tapia guided students through deeply restorative practices in Restorative Yoga.
Participants also experienced the joyful fusion of movement and culture in YoGGarbA – A Fusion of Yoga and Garba with Anish Rangrej.
Katie B Happyy offered an engaging Journal Workshop on Building Your Brain’s Immune System, while Anand Mehrotra guided participants through a philosophical exploration in Knowing Shiva.
Sadhvi Abha Saraswati led a deeply restorative Yoga Nidra session, inviting participants into a state of conscious relaxation and inner awareness.
Music and devotion also played a central role in the afternoon, with Runaa Rizvii Shivamani leading Awaken Your Authentic Voice, a soulful singing experience that brought participants together through rhythm, voice and devotion.
Participants also explored Throat Chakra – An Awakening Workshop with Gurnimit Singh, focusing on journaling, mantra and meditative practices to unlock self-expression and transformation.
Further sessions included Understanding the Doshas: The Three Energetic Bodies with María Alejandra Avcharian, Embracing Higher Reality: Yoga Sutra Teachings on the Divine Within with Ishan Tigunait, and Still the Mind: An Introduction to Tratak with Sandhya Dixit.
Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji also guided participants in The Silence Beyond the Mind: A Himalayan Meditation for Inner Awakening, inviting them into deeper states of awareness and inner peace.
Additional sessions included Fastest Brain Enhancement through Breathwork, Movement and Meditation with Dr. Nishi Bhatt, The Fires of Yoga – From Agni Hotra to Ayurveda with Dr. Yogrishi Vishvketu, Yoga Nidra Sound Journey with Sandra Barnes and Nada Yoga Voice Meditation with Sanae Yamamoto.
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Where Rhythm Meets Soul: Sacred Ganga Aarti and Ecstatic Evening Concert
As the sun dipped behind the Himalayan peaks, the sacred banks of Maa Ganga at Parmarth Niketan came alive with a unique fusion of devotion, music, and celebration. The evening unfolded with a vibrant live concert by world-renowned percussion maestro Drums Shivamani alongside the soulful vocals of Runaa Rizvii Shivamani, creating a powerful atmosphere where rhythm met spirituality.
As the music flowed, the sacred Ganga Yagna (Havan) and the world-famous Parmarth Niketan Ganga Aarti began, led by Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati. Drums Shivamani’s dynamic percussion seamlessly intertwined with the devotional chants of the Aarti, transforming the ceremony into a deeply immersive spiritual experience.
With hundreds of lamps glowing along the riverbank and the sacred mantras rising into the evening sky, participants from around the world joined together in prayer, celebration, and joy. As the rhythms intensified, many were moved to dance in devotion — with spontaneous circles of Garba and joyful movement emerging among the international gathering, creating a beautiful expression of unity, devotion, and ecstatic celebration on the banks of Maa Ganga.
Participants later gathered for the soulful evening kirtan “Into the Heart” with Simon Glöde and Friends, inviting everyone to chant, dance and celebrate together in devotion beneath the Himalayan sky.
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Voices/statements from the Festival
Presenter Stewart Gilchrist, senior registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance Professional UK, shared:
“It’s all about peace and love. Country doesn’t matter. When people come here to the International Yoga Festival they experience the true essence of Sanatan Dharma and the deeper heart of yoga.”
