Wellness – Andhra Pradesh Plans Massive Statewide Yoga Day Campaign
Wellness – The Andhra Pradesh government has unveiled an extensive plan to mark the 12th International Yoga Day on June 21 through a large-scale initiative titled Yogandhra-2026. The campaign is designed to encourage people from all sections of society to embrace yoga as a regular part of daily life and improve long-term health outcomes.
Statewide Awareness Drive Before Main Event
According to Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, a series of awareness activities will be conducted across the state from June 7 to June 20. The campaign will conclude with a major gathering at the Krishna River Bridge (West Bypass) in Amaravati, where Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is expected to lead around 25,000 participants in a yoga session.
This year’s observance will be organised around the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.” Officials say the focus is not limited to a single-day celebration but aims to encourage sustained yoga practice among citizens throughout the year.
Participation Expected Across Communities
The government anticipates involvement from nearly one crore people across Andhra Pradesh. Participants are expected to include farmers, students, women’s self-help groups, fishermen, tribal communities, artists, youth organisations, transport workers, and various voluntary associations.
To support the initiative, authorities have set a target of creating 10 lakh regular yoga practitioners. A network of 2.5 lakh yoga instructors will assist in this effort, including one lakh additional trainers recruited specifically for the programme this year.
New Institutional Framework for Yoga Promotion
To ensure long-term promotion of yoga, the state government has approved the formation of the AP Yoga Prachara Parishad. The new body will oversee awareness campaigns and training programmes beyond the annual Yoga Day celebrations.
Officials said three regional offices will be established under the council. In addition, a central coordination facility at APIIC in Mangalagiri will monitor activities, review progress, and support implementation across districts.
Building on Previous Achievements
The state is seeking to build upon the success of last year’s yoga programmes, which received national and international recognition through multiple record entries and awards. Meanwhile, Education Minister Nara Lokesh has already instructed educational institutions to incorporate yoga into learning activities so that students can benefit from early exposure to healthy lifestyle practices.
District-Specific Programmes Planned
Several districts will host events tailored to local communities and professional groups. Police personnel will be the focus in NTR district, while programmes in Konaseema will centre on farmers. Krishna district will involve auto and lorry associations, Tirupati will host events featuring prominent personalities, and Visakhapatnam will organise sessions for former servicemen.
Yoga Events at Tourist Destinations
As part of the celebrations, yoga demonstrations will also take place at 56 major tourist and heritage locations throughout the state. These include Undavalli Caves, Mangalagiri Lakshminarasimha Temple, Srisailam, Mahanandi, Mypadu Beach, and Swarnala Cheruvu.
Each location is expected to host at least 500 participants daily, helping to spread awareness while showcasing Andhra Pradesh’s cultural and tourism landmarks.
Competitions to Encourage Wider Engagement
The government has also scheduled yoga competitions at multiple administrative levels. Village and ward contests will be held from June 7 to 9, followed by mandal-level events from June 10 to 12. District-level rounds are planned between June 14 and 16, while the state finals will take place in Vijayawada from June 18 to 20.
Competitions will include individual asana and pranayama performances, group yoga presentations, quizzes, essay contests, and slogan-writing events. Outstanding participants will receive awards and may be invited to join the Chief Minister during the main Amaravati programme.
Digital Resources for Households
To make yoga training more accessible, government advisor Dr. Manthena Satyanarayana Raju has prepared a collection of free instructional videos. The content includes general yoga postures, therapeutic routines, daily practice modules, and short videos addressing frequently asked questions.
Residents can access these materials through WhatsApp by sending a message to the designated number and receiving a QR code linked to the resources. The Sanjeevani app will also provide yoga and pranayama learning content for users across the state.