The Andhra Pradesh government has launched extensive preparations for “Yogandhra 2026”, a statewide campaign to mark the 12th International Day of Yoga on June 21.Registrations for the programme will open on June 6 through a dedicated Yogandhra portal, with the government targeting participation of one crore people across the State’s 28 districts, according to a statement issued on Friday.Village and ward secretariats will facilitate registrations and mobilise participants, while district-level coordination will be handled by nodal officers of the AYUSH Department.To support the initiative, the Health Department plans to build a large network of yoga trainers. About 5,600 Yoga Master Trainers will train nearly 2.5 lakh instructors through district- and mandal-level programmes over three days. Each master trainer will, in turn, train at least 50 individuals to promote yoga at the grassroots level.As part of the run-up to International Yoga Day, 56 special events will be organised across the 28 districts between June 7 and June 20. The programmes will be held at prominent tourist, religious and public venues, besides targeting specific community groups to encourage wider participation.The campaign will be formally launched on June 7 at the historic Lepakshi Temple in Sri Sathya Sai district, with Health, Medical and Family Welfare Minister Satya Kumar Yadav expected to take part. Simultaneous yoga sessions will also be conducted at Manginapudi Beach in Krishna district, Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park in Tirupati and the Ontimitta Temple Complex in YSR Kadapa district.Special yoga sessions have been planned for police personnel in NTR district, farmers in Konaseema district, Anganwadi workers and health staff in Annamayya district, and prison inmates in East Godavari district. Similar programmes will be organised at major tourist and spiritual destinations, including Undavalli Caves, Annavaram, Haritha Rock Garden and the Srisailam Temple Complex.To monitor preparations, the government has set up a dedicated war room at the Health and Family Welfare Department headquarters in Mangalagiri. The 30-member team comprises officials from the AYUSH Department, Health Department, National Health Mission, NTR Vaidya Seva Trust, Secondary Health Services and the Directorate of Medical Education.Student engagement activities, including quizzes on yoga and wellness, will also be conducted. Officials said the initiative is aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles while positioning Andhra Pradesh among the leading contributors to the nationwide International Yoga Day celebrations. Published - June 05, 2026 08:16 pm IST