Yogandhra-2026 kicks off with thousands attending mega yoga event in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: More than 5,000 people, including police personnel, yoga enthusiasts and over 1,000 individuals enrolled in the city’s anti-drug rehabilitation initiative, participated in a mass yoga session on BRTS Road on Sunday as Yogandhra-2026 got underway in NTR district.The event, led by city police commissioner SV Rajasekhar Babu and attended by home minister Vangalapudi Anitha, marked the launch of a two-week yoga campaign ahead of International Yoga Day on June 21. Similar programmes were organised across Vijayawada, with civic authorities reporting participation by thousands of residents at sessions held in parks and public spaces.Addressing the gathering, the police commissioner said the department had integrated more than 1,000 identified drug users into its ongoing rehabilitation and awareness programme. He said yoga was being introduced as part of efforts to help participants move towards a drug-free lifestyle.Yoga sessions were also held at Riverfront Park, Bhavanipuram and Dr BR Ambedkar Smriti Vanam under the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation’s Yogandhra initiative. At the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy temple atop Indrakeeladri, a free yoga training programme for devotees and the public commenced and will continue till June 21.Officials said yoga camps, awareness drives and competitions will continue across NTR district over the next fortnight as part of the statewide campaign promoting healthy lifestyles and wellness.