Chandigarh, November 14 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the 10th International Gita Mahotsav is beginning in Kurukshetra from November 15 and will continue till December 5. For the first time, the 21-day festival will present an extraordinary blend of culture, knowledge and spirituality. Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi will be attending the Gita Mahotsav on November 25.
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini was addressing the media on Friday at the premises of Shri Sarveshwar Mahadev Temple at the Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra. Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj, BJP State President Sh. Mohanlal Kaushik, MP Sh. Naveen Jindal and former State Minister Sh. Subhash Sudha were also present.
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that due to the efforts of Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj, the message of the Gita has spread far and wide. Not only in India, but magnificent International Gita Mahotsav celebrations have been organized in countries like Mauritius, Britain, Canada, Australia, Sri Lanka and Japan.
He said on the sacred banks of the Saraswati river, the Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas were composed. This land is also blessed as the birthplace of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. He stated that the eternal wisdom delivered by Lord Shri Krishna in the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita completes 5,163 years this year.
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that since 2016, the International Gita Mahotsav has been celebrated on a grand scale. Every year, the number of devotees coming from India and abroad is increasing, and thus arrangements are expanded accordingly.
Madhya Pradesh to Participate as Partner State
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that this year, Madhya Pradesh will participate as the partner state in the International Gita Mahotsav. Madhya Pradesh is renowned for its rich religious and spiritual heritage. The inclusion of such a culturally distinguished state will further enhance the grandeur of the festival. Madhya Pradesh is setting up a cultural pavilion at Purushottampura Bagh near Brahma Sarovar, where stalls showcasing its culture, crafts and cuisine will be the centre of attraction.
He said that on November 24, the Mahotsav will be formally inaugurated with Gita Yajna at Brahma Sarovar. On the same day, a three-day International Gita Seminar will begin at Kurukshetra University. Through online mode, Gita scholars and researchers from India and abroad will present their research papers.
Presence of 25 Scholars from 16 Countries Through the Ministry of External Affairs
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that this year, 25 scholars from 16 countries will participate in the International Gita Seminar through the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Gita Mahotsav events will also be organized in 51 countries, with live telecast of the programmes. The Ministry of External Affairs will also display translations of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita in various foreign languages. Twenty priests from Fiji and Trinidad & Tobago will visit Kurukshetra for two days to take part in various programmes. Additionally, 25 artisans from seven countries will exhibit their crafts during the festival.
Gita Seminars to be Organized in Institutions
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that apart from Kurukshetra University, NID, NIT and Ayush University, Kurukshetra will organize Gita seminars from November 24 to December 1. Kurukshetra University will also hold competitions based on the Gita.
Katha at Purushottampura Bagh
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that from November 26 to November 30, Padma Vibhushan Rambhadracharya Ji will conduct spiritual discourses under “Jiyo Gita” at Purushottampura Bagh. On November 29, a Sant Sammelan will be organized at the same venue, where renowned saints from across the country will discuss themes related to the Gita and spirituality. On November 30, an All-India Devasthanam Conference will be held at the Senate Hall of Kurukshetra University, with the presence of heads of various institutions from across India.
The Chief Minister said that during the festival, the Information and Public Relations Department, Haryana, will run a YouTube channel where devotees will share their favourite shloka from the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and describe how it changed their lives. The most-viewed video clip will be awarded ₹1 lakh during the closing ceremony.
Cultural Events at the 48 Kos Kurukshetra Pilgrimage Sites
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that a grand Gita Maha Aarti will be performed daily from November 15 to December 5 at the sacred banks of Brahma Sarovar. From November 25 to December 1, cultural events will be organized at the various pilgrimage sites of the 48 Kos Kurukshetra region. On December 1, Gita Jayanti, a Gita Yajna, Gita Recital and Bhagwat Katha will take place at Jyotisar Tirth. On the same day, 18,000 students will recite Gita shlokas at the Theme Park in Kurukshetra, joined online by lakhs of Gita devotees worldwide. The 48 Kos Tirth Conference will also be organized on the same day at the auditorium of Kurukshetra University, with participation from representatives of 182 pilgrimage committees.
Deepotsav at All 182 Pilgrimage Sites
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that on December 1, Deepotsav celebrations will be held at all 182 pilgrimage sites in Kurukshetra. A Gita Shobha Yatra will also be taken out, with participation from various religious, social and voluntary organizations. From November 24 to December 1, grand cultural events will be held every evening at Purushottampura Bagh. These programmes will be based on themes from the Gita, Mahabharata and Lord Krishna. From November 28 to 30, various competitions—such as Gita shloka recitation, speeches, essay writing, painting, rangoli, craft etc.—will be organized for students at Sannihit Sarovar and Brahma Sarovar. A Gita Book Fair will be held from November 24 to December 1 at Brahma Sarovar, featuring major publishers from across the country.
Exhibitions Depicting Haryana’s Development and Progress
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that as every year, this year too, exhibitions depicting Haryana’s development and progress will be set up at Purushottampura Bagh from November 24 to December 1. These exhibitions will provide information about various public welfare schemes and developmental works. Besides these, exhibitions by various religious, educational and social institutions will also be showcased. A display of Gita editions in different languages will also be arranged.
Haryana Pavilion Showcasing Culture, Craft and Cuisine
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that a Haryana Pavilion will be constructed to showcase the state’s culture, crafts and cuisine. Tourists and pilgrims will get an opportunity to experience Haryana’s cultural heritage. A “Balaram” wrestling competition will be organized during the Gita Mahotsav, inviting renowned wrestlers from across the country. Various Mahabharata-themed paintings are being created across the city by the district administration. A fun fair will be organized from November 15 to December 5 for visitors.
International Gita Mahotsav Programmes at All District Headquarters from November 28
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that International Gita Mahotsav programmes will begin at all district headquarters from November 28. On December 1, Gita Shobha Yatras will be organized at all district headquarters. On the same day, 1,800 students will take part in the global Gita recitation in every district. Village panchayats will also celebrate Deepotsav at their respective pilgrimage sites on December 1.
On this occasion, Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj said that Lord Shri Krishna delivered the Gita for the welfare of all humanity in Kurukshetra. The Gita is world-renowned, and Kurukshetra has gained international recognition because of it. Every year, lakhs of people from abroad visit here to participate in the International Gita Jayanti celebrations.