With Prime Minister Modi’s presence, the event is poised to surpass Surat’s 2023 Guinness World Record of 1.53 lakh participants, reinforcing India’s leadership in promoting yoga globally.
Published Jun 20, 2025 | 8:58 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 20, 2025 | 8:58 AM
Andhra Pradesh Chief Miniter Chandrababu Naidu performing yoga. (File image)
Synopsis: Andhra Pradesh is pulling out all the stops to create a historic event on International Yoga Day, aiming to set a new Guinness World Record with an unprecedented gathering of five lakh participants. The state government has called on Visakhapatnam’s residents to participate in large numbers, describing the event as a matter of pride.
The coastal city of Visakhapatnam, known as the City of Destiny, is abuzz with excitement as the Andhra Pradesh government prepares to host the 11th International Yoga Day on Saturday, 21 June.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to lead the celebrations at RK Beach, the state is pulling out all the stops to create a historic event, aiming to set a new Guinness World Record with an unprecedented gathering of five lakh participants.
Under the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” the “Yogandhra-2025” campaign is transforming Visakhapatnam and the rest of Andhra Pradesh into a vibrant hub of wellness, unity, and cultural pride.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is spearheading the preparations. He is keen that this event goes down in history not just as a single-day celebration but as a movement to make yoga a way of life across Andhra Pradesh.
“This is a prestigious event. The prime minister’s presence makes it all the more important. It should mark the beginning of a widespread yoga movement,” Naidu said during a review meeting in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. The state’s ambitious goal is to engage two crore people through yoga sessions at one lakh locations, with 2.17 crore already registered, surpassing expectations.
The main event at RK Beach will see participants 3.5 lakh performing yogasanas along a 26-km stretch from RK Beach to Bheemunipatnam, with an additional 1.5 lakh joining at 68 other locations, including Rushikonda Beach, schools, cricket grounds, and naval premises.
To ensure seamless execution, 326 compartments, each accommodating 1,000 to 1,300 participants, are being set up with yoga mats, stages for instructors, and LED screens for visibility. Each participant will receive a yoga mat, T-shirt, and ORS bottle, reflecting the government’s commitment to health and safety.
Visakhapatnam’s iconic Beach Road, from Naval Coastal Battery to The Park Hotel Junction, is undergoing a stunning makeover. The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is enhancing the stretch with new saplings, trimmed greenery, and innovative installations like floral structures, symbolising the state’s “Harithandhrapradesh” initiative.
Dead trees have been removed, streetlights have been repaired, and footpaths have been upgraded, creating a rejuvenated environment for the event.
Security has become a top priority for the event, with 2,000 CCTV cameras monitoring the venue in close coordination with the prime minister’s security team. To prevent disruptions from wildlife near forested areas, spraying operations are underway to deter snakes.
Traffic management plans include 75 designated parking spaces and 2,085 buses—1,300 RTC and 885 private—to ensure smooth flow, with normalcy expected within 30 minutes post-event.
In case of rain, Andhra University’s Engineering College Grounds are ready as an alternative venue, equipped with German hangars to accommodate participants without delay.
Tribal students from Alluri Sitharama Raju district, known for performing 108 Surya Namaskars, will display their skills at this venue, adding a cultural highlight.
Beyond Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh is embracing yoga with fervour. The month-long Yogandhra campaign, launched on 21 May, has seen yoga sessions at village and ward secretariats, tourist spots, and spiritual centres across all districts.
Over 5,353 master trainers have trained 1.48 lakh individuals, exceeding the target of 1.25 lakh. The state plans to issue 25 lakh participation certificates, accessible via an app, to encourage sustained practice.
District collectors are mobilising students, women’s self-help groups, government employees, and NGOs to ensure inclusivity. Events like a walkathon from the AU Convention Centre to the Vishwapriya Function Hall have sparked community enthusiasm, with ministers and local leaders joining the rally.
Yoga sessions are also planned aboard 11 Indian Navy ships, showcasing the event’s scale. A “Visakhapatnam Yoga Day Declaration” is set to be announced, outlining plans to promote yoga for future generations.
Naidu envisions yoga as a daily habit, starting from Class IX, with trained instructors and medical support in schools. Collaborations with organisations like the Isha Foundation and Art of Living are enhancing the outreach, while a pilot health project with the Bill Gates Foundation will underscore the state’s commitment to wellness.
The state government has called on Visakhapatnam’s residents to participate in large numbers, describing the event as a matter of pride. The state’s meticulous planning, from sanitation to crowd management, aims for a “zero inconvenience” policy. A full-scale mock session on Friday will ensure readiness.
With Prime Minister Modi’s presence, the event is poised to surpass Surat’s 2023 Guinness World Record of 1.53 lakh participants, reinforcing India’s leadership in promoting yoga globally.
As Naidu noted, “Visakhapatnam’s cooperative spirit, seen during crises like Cyclone Hudhud, will make this a landmark event.”
Needless to say, the Yogandhra-2025 campaign, blending meticulous logistics, community enthusiasm, and a rich cultural legacy, aims to inspire a healthier, more united world.
With five lakh participants set to stretch along the coastline, this International Yoga Day promises to be a memorable event, etching Visakhapatnam into global wellness history.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
