Hyderabad Hosts ‘Yoga Mahotsav – 24 Hour Countdown’ Ahead of International Yoga Day

The spirit of wellness and collective participation marked the ‘ Yoga Mahotsav – 24-Hour Countdown ’ organised on Saturday morning at the Parade Grounds in Secunderabad, ahead of the International Yoga Day celebrations.

The large-scale event was led by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture G. Kishan Reddy, who highlighted India’s global role in popularising yoga. He noted that sustained efforts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had resulted in the United Nations declaring June 21 as International Yoga Day , now observed worldwide. Kishan Reddy also pointed out that Hyderabad has been hosting the countdown programme for the past several years, with this edition witnessing participation from over 10,000 yoga enthusiasts and around 45 international delegates .

The early morning session saw a vibrant turnout of citizens from all walks of life, reflecting growing public enthusiasm for yoga as a holistic health practice . Participants collectively performed the Common Yoga Protocol , showcasing synchronised movements and breathing exercises aimed at physical and mental well-being.

Speaking at the event, actor Naveen Polishetty shared that yoga had brought positive changes in his life and urged young people to adopt it as a daily discipline. Actress Payal Radhakrishna expressed surprise at the massive turnout at dawn, noting that people across countries actively discuss yoga, making it a truly global heritage that should be practiced regularly.

Producer Abhishek Agarwal credited yoga for transforming his personal health journey, stating that consistent practice helped him achieve significant weight loss over the past year and a half .

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, former Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, along with BJP Telangana president N. Ramchander Rao and several MPs, MLAs, MLCs, and Padma awardees.

The 2026 celebrations align with the United Nations’ focus on “Healthy Ageing through Yoga” , highlighting how yoga helps people of all ages remain active, independent, and mentally balanced . The Hyderabad event reinforced this message, bringing together citizens, leaders, and international guests in a unified celebration of wellness and tradition.