The Odisha Department of Sports and Youth Services, along with the Odisha Yoga Mahotsav Samiti, has initiated a week-long Yoga Mahotsav at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium to promote yoga and healthy living in preparation for International Yoga Day 2026. Daily yoga camps will be held from June 15 to June 20, culminating in a grand celebration on June 21 to commemorate the 12th International Yoga Day.
Under the guidance of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the event is managed by officials of the Odisha Yoga Mahotsav Samiti, including Alok Das, Dr. Debakanta Behera, and Premananda Nath, aiming to highlight yoga as a traditional aspect of Indian culture that fosters global well-being. The 12th International Yoga Day will be observed worldwide on June 21.
To enhance the reach and impact of this year’s celebrations, the Governments of India and Odisha have jointly launched various public welfare programs. Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Yoga Mahotsav,” inaugurated the week-long event to advance the cause of yoga.
During the event, Minister Suraj stressed the importance of integrating yoga into daily routines for individual and collective well-being, emphasizing the need for personal health to ensure societal health. The event also highlighted the integration of modern technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and mobile apps to facilitate easy access to yoga for all, with a focus on cultivating digital citizenship among youth.
The primary goal is to embed yoga as a daily practice rather than confining it to a single-day affair. This year, through the International Yoga Day and the Odisha Yoga Mahotsav, the Union Ministry of Ayush aims to extend the reach of yoga protocols to rural and border areas, expecting a larger participation due to digital platforms and grassroots campaigns. The ministry, in collaboration with the Prime Minister, aims to set a new Guinness World Record by leveraging modern technology to connect millions of participants online simultaneously.
