Hyderabad woke up to cloudy skies on Sunday (June 21, 2026), as people across the city gathered at various venues in the early hours to mark the International Day of Yoga with group sessions and wellness activities.

Also read: International Yoga Day 2026 highlights

Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla participated in the celebrations held at Lok Bhavan, where officers and staff of Raj Bhavan joined yoga sessions conducted by representatives of The Art of Living.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor described yoga as a timeless gift of India to humanity and a powerful instrument for holistic well-being. He said the ancient discipline nurtures physical vitality, mental resilience, and spiritual balance, offering a path to inner peace and self-discipline in an age characterised by fast-paced lifestyles and increasing stress.

Describing yoga as a symbol of India’s eternal wisdom, Mr. Shukla said it had evolved into a global movement promoting health, harmony and human well-being. “Yoga is not merely a physical exercise; it is a celebration of the profound connection between the body, mind and soul. It is India’s ancient heritage that continues to illuminate the world with the message of health, balance and universal well-being,” the Governor said.

Calling upon people to make yoga a part of their daily lives, he urged citizens to look beyond observing it as an annual event and embrace it as a lifelong practice.

Telangana Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha participated in the International Day of Yoga celebrations at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium. Joining yoga instructors and participants in the practice session, the Minister described yoga as a magnificent gift from India to the world.

Stating that everyone should make yoga a part of their daily routine, the Minister said the government was striving to spread awareness about the importance of yoga and to build a healthy Telangana. He mentioned that yoga was being introduced to students from the school level to colleges and that the State was promoting yoga training through the AYUSH Department.

Meanwhile, several gated communities and organisations held their own Yoga Day sessions across the city. While many events were originally planned for outdoors, some were moved indoors after early morning showers were reported in parts of the city.