Thousands gather at Hyderabad’s parks and open grounds to mark International Yoga Day

On Saturday (June 21, 2025) morning, the city of Hyderabad woke to a calm yet spirited scene as thousands of residents made their way to parks and open grounds, with yoga mats in hand and dressed in comfortable attire, to celebrate the International Day of Yoga. From young children to senior citizens, people across all age groups gathered as early as 5 a.m. in neighbourhood parks to perform yoga.

The State-level celebration, jointly organised by the AYUSH and Health Departments, was held at the Gachibowli Stadium and drew an enthusiastic crowd of over 5,000 participants. The event served as a focal point for the day’s observances, with government officials, students, and others participating in large numbers.

Among those in attendance were Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha, Sports Minister Vakiti Srihari, Sports Authority chairman Shiva Sena Reddy, and Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao. All of them joined the participants in performing yoga asanas.

Homage to Maharishi Patanjali

Speaking at the gathering, the Health Minister described yoga as “one of India’s greatest gifts to the world.” He paid homage to Maharishi Patanjali, whose teachings on Ashtanga Yoga form the basis of contemporary yoga practice. “Yoga is not merely a form of physical exercise,” he said. “It is a holistic science that brings balance to the body, mind, and spirit.”

The Minister stressed the role of yoga in addressing the modern epidemic of lifestyle-related diseases. “In today’s fast-paced world, ailments like hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and kidney disorders have become alarmingly common. Even the wealthiest individuals are struggling to attain peace of mind. Yoga offers a natural and effective solution to these problems,” he said.

The minister also outlined the State government’s ongoing efforts to institutionalise and expand the practice of yoga across the State. “Several initiatives have been launched in the past year, including the appointment of 630 yoga instructors, with recruitment underway for an additional 264. Daily yoga sessions are now being conducted at health sub-centres, and more than five lakh individuals have been trained in yoga during the past year alone. Efforts are also being made to integrate yoga into the education system and higher studies. The government has initiated yoga instruction in schools and colleges, and recently introduced a Postgraduate course in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences,” he added.