Khajuraho, May 26 (IANS) Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush, announced that Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) will organise “Yoga Mahotsav – 25-Day Countdown to International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026” on Wednesday.

The Institute, under the Ministry of Ayush, will begin the countdown at the Western Group of Temples in Khajuraho, Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh.

Ahead of the event, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush, and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, addressed a press conference in Khajuraho today.

The 25-day countdown to the International Day of Yoga is observed every year as an important outreach phase to build awareness and encourage public participation through Yoga demonstrations, awareness campaigns, and community-based activities organised across the country, the statement said.

The programme will commence at 6 a.m. and is expected to witness enthusiastic participation from Yoga practitioners, students, officials, and wellness enthusiasts from across the country, who will collectively perform the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), it said.

Member of Parliament from Khajuraho Lok Sabha constituency, Vishnu Dutt Sharma, and MLA from Rajnagar Assembly constituency, Arvind Pateriya, were also present during the press conference.

Addressing the media, Jadhav said that “Yoga Mahotsav–2026” marks an important milestone in the nationwide preparations for the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026 and reflects the Government’s commitment to expanding the reach of Yoga across the country.

“Khajuraho stands as a living symbol of India’s rich cultural heritage, and organizing a 25-day Yoga Festival at such a historic site beautifully reflects the harmony between Indian tradition and modern wellness,” he said.

He said that the Ministry of Ayush is conducting a 100-day nationwide countdown campaign in collaboration with 100 institutions across 100 locations to strengthen awareness and encourage wider public participation ahead of IDY 2026.

The Minister noted that Yoga, an integral part of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, has evolved into a global movement for holistic health and wellness following the United Nations’ adoption of the International Day of Yoga in 2014, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He further stated that under the “Yoga 365 Days” initiative, MDNIY, in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush and Habuild, is conducting a 100-day free Yoga training campaign till 21 June, with more than two lakh participants already registered as “Yoga Mitras”.

–IANS

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