Khajuraho, May 26 (IANS). Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of AYUSH, announced that Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga will organize ‘Yoga Mahotsav’ on Wednesday, a 25-day countdown to International Yoga Day 2026.
The institute, under the Ministry of AYUSH, will begin the countdown at the Western Temple Group of Khajuraho in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh.
Ahead of the event, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of AYUSH and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav addressed a press conference in Khajuraho on Tuesday.
He said that the 25-day countdown to International Yoga Day is celebrated every year as an important outreach phase to raise awareness and encourage public participation through yoga demonstrations, awareness campaigns and community activities organized across the country.
It said the event will begin at 6 am and is expected to see enthusiastic participation from yoga practitioners, students, officials and wellness enthusiasts from across the country, who will collectively practice the ‘Common Yoga Protocol’.
Addressing the media, Jadhav said that Yoga Mahotsav-2026 is an important milestone in the nationwide preparations for the 12th International Yoga Day and reflects the government’s commitment towards expanding the reach of yoga across the country.
He said that Khajuraho is a living symbol of India’s rich cultural heritage and organizing the 25-day Yoga Mahotsav at such a historic site beautifully reflects the harmony between Indian tradition and modern wellness.
He informed that the Ministry of AYUSH is running a 100-day nationwide countdown campaign in collaboration with 100 institutions located at 100 locations with an aim to encourage widespread public participation.
The Minister mentioned that Yoga is an integral part of the cultural and spiritual heritage of India. Since its adoption by the United Nations in 2014 (initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi), International Yoga Day has evolved into a global movement for holistic health and wellness.
He informed that for 365 days, the Ministry of Yoga in collaboration with Habuild is running a 100-day free yoga training campaign till June 21, in which more than two lakh participants have already been registered as Yoga Mitra.
–IANS
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