Unity, Wellness, World Records: Andhra Lays Out Welcome Mat For PM Modi-Led Mega Yoga Day Event
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With PM Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu leading from the front, Visakhapatnam is ready to mark the 11th International Day of Yoga on an unprecedented scale
As the first light breaks on June 21, Visakhapatnam's stunning shoreline will transform into a massive open-air yoga stage, stretching over 29 kilometres from Dolphin's Nose to Bhogapuram. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu leading from the front, the city is preparing to mark the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on an unprecedented scale.
The buzz is unmistakable. Hoardings and banners across Visakhapatnam invite citizens to join 'Yogandhra", Andhra Pradesh's own branding of the Yoga Day celebration. This year's theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health", focuses on the connection between personal wellness and holistic planetary health.
The coastal route from RK Beach to Bhogapuram is expected to draw an estimated 5.5 lakh participants. From children to senior citizens, from first-timers to dedicated practitioners, all will perform synchronised yoga postures in a coordinated show of unity and wellness. The event is rooted in the ancient Indian ethos—'Sarve Santu Niramaya"—a timeless call for health and freedom from disease for all.
According to details accessed by News18, Prime Minister Modi is expected to address the gathering from a dais set up near the Kalimata temple, initially facing north. Once his address concludes, he will turn south to begin the yoga session. Joining him will be CM Naidu, deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, union AYUSH minister Prataprao Jadhav, and other dignitaries in what is shaping up to be a historic moment for Andhra Pradesh.
PM Modi has, since 2015, led International Day of Yoga celebrations from symbolic locations—New Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Mysuru, Srinagar, and even the UN Headquarters in New York. This year, it's Visakhapatnam that takes centre stage.
At the heart of the celebration is the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), a 45-minute guided yoga session crafted by the AYUSH ministry to bring structure and consistency to public yoga events.
The session will begin promptly at 6.30 am and run until 7.25 am, covering the full 29-kilometre stretch. It starts with a minute-long prayer, followed by six minutes of preparatory loosening exercises. The central 25-minute yogasana segment will feature key postures like Tadasana, Bhadrasana, Vajrasana, Bhujangasana, and will conclude with Savasana for relaxation. The final 12 minutes are reserved for kriyas, pranayama, meditation, and a shared sankalp or vow—for collective peace and health.
In one of the most striking lead-up events, 25,000 tribal students from the Alluri Sitarama Raju District gathered at the Andhra University Engineering Grounds to perform the Surya Namaskar in perfect sync—an attempt aimed at breaking a world record.
Speaking to News18, 10-year-old Kondamma, one of the participants and a tribal student, shared her excitement: 'I am thrilled to be part of this yoga record-breaking event. I have been practising since August last year. I'm really happy."
Another student, Bhagyashree, said, 'I've been waiting for this day. Our school trained us well. I'm excited the Prime Minister is here and we're part of this once-in-a-lifetime event."
The scale of the celebration is unmatched. Organisers aim to set 22 world records in a single day—from the largest number of tribal children performing Surya Namaskar, to the longest contiguous stretch of yoga participants, and a statewide synchronised yoga demonstration involving all 5.5 crore residents of Andhra Pradesh.
Orchestrating such a massive event involves a formidable logistical effort. The ministry of AYUSH, Visakhapatnam district administration, department of sports, and Andhra University's yoga department are working closely to coordinate operations.
Public safety and emergency readiness are top priorities. State authorities confirmed that medical aid stations have been placed every kilometre, supported by 200 ambulances, over 2,000 CCTV cameras, and more than 1,000 police personnel to manage the crowd and ensure smooth execution.
As the sun rises over the Bay of Bengal on June 21, Visakhapatnam will not only aim for record books but will also send a powerful message to the world—of collective well-being, unity, and the healing strength of yoga.
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