Celebrating the Day of Yoga 2026 in Granada: Dance and devotion

Celebrating the Day of Yoga on 11th June 2026. The event took place at Plaza de las Pasiegas in Granada, featuring dance, music, yoga practice, and meditation.

On 11th June, International Yoga Day took place at the iconic Plaza de las Pasiegas in Granada, set against the magnificent backdrop of the Granada Cathedral. The event welcomed close to 250 attendees, who gathered to admire the showcase and actively participate in the various yoga and meditation sessions. The prestigious event was organised by the Embassy of India, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Fundación Caja Rural Granada, Academia Yoga Dharma, and the Granada City Council, alongside various collaborating entities.

A central highlight of the cultural programme was a evocative, cross-cultural performance by Bharatanatyam dancer Francisco Valiente. The performance commenced with the enactment of the sacred Sanskrit sloka “Shantakaram Bhujaga Shayanam”, visually describing Lord Vishnu: the deity who reposes in absolute serenity upon the cosmic, multi-headed serpent Adi Shesha, and from whose navel (nabhi) rises a divine lotus flower bearing Lord Brahma, the creator.

This classical exposition seamlessly transitioned into a powerful piece of dance theatre, sparking a dynamic interaction with a traditional Flamenco dancer (Miriam Garrido from Escuela de Cristina Vargas). Representing a seeker, the Flamenco dancer enters the sacred space of the temple, searching for the divine and attempting to awaken the sleeping deity through the rhythmic intensity and emotional fire of her footwork.

As Vishnu awakens, the two dancers merge their respective forms—Bharatanatyam and Flamenco—into a vibrant choreographic dialogue. This artistic climax beautifully celebrated the Indo-Spanish cultural synergy, honoring the historic ties and artistic grandeur of two massive world cultures coming together as one.