"Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day," Modi said in his maiden address to the 193-member UN General Assembly here.
Noting that Yoga is "an invaluable gift of our ancient tradition", he said: "It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature."
Yoga is the 5,000-year-old Indian physical, mental and spiritual practice that aim to transform body and mind.
"By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change," he added.