Historic Yoga Day 2025: PM Modi Leads Over 3 Lakh Participants in Sunrise Yoga Session

• Jun 21, 2025

Visakhapatnam, June 21, 2025 — The sunrise at RK Beach in Visakhapatnam witnessed an awe-inspiring spectacle as more than 3 lakh people gathered at the crack of dawn to participate in the 11th International Day of Yoga, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Starting at 6:30 AM, the event became one of the largest yoga gatherings in the country’s history and marked a significant moment for India’s global wellness movement.

The massive crowd, dressed in white and carrying yoga mats, began assembling in the early hours of the morning. From school children and college students to yoga experts, spiritual seekers, defence forces, and working professionals — people from every age group and background came together in a powerful demonstration of discipline, unity, and spiritual harmony.

As the sun rose over the Bay of Bengal, the Prime Minister arrived to a thunderous welcome. In his address, PM Modi said:

“On this International Day of Yoga, here on the peaceful shores of Visakhapatnam, we are sending a message of health, inner peace, and unity to the world. Yoga is not just India’s heritage — it is humanity’s treasure. It brings harmony between mind and body, between individuals and society.”

He further added,

“This year’s theme, ‘Yoga for Self and Society’, reminds us that while yoga transforms us personally, it also has the power to heal communities, nations, and the world.”

The event was organized with meticulous planning by the Ministry of AYUSH, in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh government. RK Beach was divided into multiple zones to accommodate the huge number of participants, with large LED screens displaying guided yoga instructions for synchronized practice. Dozens of trained yoga instructors and volunteers assisted participants throughout the 45-minute yoga sequence, which followed the Common Yoga Protocol issued by the Government of India.

A National Celebration with Global Significance

This year, International Yoga Day 2025 was observed across over 200 countries, with millions performing yoga in public spaces, parks, offices, schools, and homes. Indian embassies and cultural centers around the globe organized parallel events, reinforcing India’s soft power and cultural diplomacy through wellness.

In India, states and union territories organized local-level events, but the Visakhapatnam event was the main national function, drawing dignitaries, spiritual leaders, celebrities, and global wellness influencers.

The Prime Minister’s decision to hold the main event in Visakhapatnam highlighted the growing importance of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in India’s national development narrative. It also promoted Andhra Pradesh’s beautiful coastline and showcased Vizag’s potential as a hub for health tourism.

Vibrant Energy & Impeccable Management

From drone camera visuals capturing the enormous crowd performing yoga in synchrony to colorful cultural performances and live music before the session, the event combined tradition with modern presentation.

Volunteers distributed free yoga kits, refreshments, and water bottles. First aid stations and emergency medical services were stationed throughout the venue to ensure safety, while transportation and parking arrangements were made accessible across the city.

More than 5,000 police personnel and 2,000 volunteers were deployed to manage the event smoothly, and drone surveillance ensured full security coverage.

A Message to the World

The mass yoga event in Visakhapatnam was not just about physical exercise — it was a bold expression of India's commitment to global wellness and peace. As the world faces increasing stress, conflict, and lifestyle diseases, India’s ancient wisdom, embodied in yoga, provides a universal solution for healing and balance.

PM Modi ended the session with a sankalp (resolution) for personal well-being, social responsibility, and a life aligned with nature.

“Let us carry forward this message of yoga — for ourselves, for our society, and for the planet,” he said.

Conclusion

International Yoga Day 2025 in Visakhapatnam was more than just a ceremonial event — it was a historic movement. With over 3 lakh participants, the presence of PM Modi, and the unity of countless hearts beating as one, it reminded the world of the power of simplicity, discipline, and collective intention.

As yoga mats were rolled up and the crowd slowly dispersed, what remained was a sense of calm, unity, and pride — that once again, India had shown the way.