Visakhapatnam created history on Saturday by setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest yoga gathering at a single location, as more than three lakh participants assembled along a 28-kilometre coastal stretch to mark the 11th International Day of Yoga.
The event, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held from RK Beach to Bheemili and formed the centrepiece of India’s nationwide celebrations under the ‘Yoga Sangam’ initiative. The massive gathering showcased India’s growing global leadership in wellness and yoga.
In a post on X, the Ministry of Ayush stated: “Main event of IDY 2025 sets Guinness World Record in Visakhapatnam… a grand celebration along the 28 km beach road… marked the world’s largest gathering for a yoga session at a single venue.”
PM Modi, addressing the gathering, highlighted the unifying power of yoga: “The essence of yoga is ‘to unite’. Today, it is heartening to see how yoga has united the world.”
He noted that since the UN adopted India’s proposal for an International Yoga Day—with the support of 175 nations—yoga has grown into a global movement practiced across cultures, ages, and even in space.
The Prime Minister was joined by several dignitaries, including Andhra Pradesh Governor Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Union Ministers Prataprao Jadhav, Ram Mohan Naidu, Dr. Chandrasekhar Pemmasani, and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
Praising the massive participation and spirit of Jan Bhagidari, PM Modi said over two crore people took part in Andhra Pradesh’s month-long YogAndhra Abhiyan, underscoring the transformative potential of citizen-led missions.
Union Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav applauded India’s decade-long global yoga journey and detailed new initiatives like Harit Yoga, Yoga Connect, and Ayush Aahar. He also highlighted another world record set a day earlier: 22,000 tribal students performing 12 rounds of Surya Namaskar in 15 minutes.
Chief Minister Naidu expressed gratitude for the Centre’s support and hailed the state’s enthusiastic participation.
“Over 3 lakh people gathered here today, and 2.17 crore participated in the YogAndhra campaign statewide. This is a proud moment for Andhra Pradesh,” he said.
The event concluded with an emphasis on health, unity, and sustainability—values deeply embedded in the practice of yoga and India’s vision for global well-being.
