With preparations in full swing across universities, corporate hubs, government offices, and spiritual retreats, the capital city is all set for its stretch on the 11th International Day of Yoga on Saturday.

As per the Ministry of Ayush, Telangana ranks among the top States in registrations for the grand Yoga Sangam. And Hyderabad, with over 7,000 organisations, is the top contributor.

The countdown to the event began on Friday at Lal Bahadur Stadium here with the participation of Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Union Ministers G. Kishan Reddy and Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma along with former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu and actors Teja Sajja and Meenakshi Chowdary.

At the University of Hyderabad, officials made arrangements for the mega synchronised session at Gurbaksh Singh Maidan set to begin at 6 a.m.

In West Hyderabad, the corporates will join the Mindspace Social Hub in HITEC City for the 7 a.m. yoga session in collaboration with Cult Fit fitness centres. According to the event managers, the registrations are higher this year and more tents and audio-visual equipment are being installed.

In Secunderabad, Pyramid Spiritual Societies Movement (PSSM) Dhyan Bhagyanagar Trust said it was expecting over 1,000 participants at Arya Vaishya Abhyudaya Sangam at Ramgopalpet. The event will include music meditation; Ayurveda talks and yoga. The Hyderabad Runners Society will also host an early morning yoga session at Taramati Baradari starting at 5.30 a.m.

With about 3,000 persons with disabilities, Kanha wellness centre in Chegur along with National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), the day-long programme will feature yoga, cultural performances, art gallery, and distribution of assistive devices.

The Statue of Equality at Muchintal will also host a large yoga session for spiritual practitioners and general visitors.