Kurukshetra (Haryana) [India], December 6 (HBTV): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated the International Gita Mahotsav on Thursday at Kurukshetra, offering prayers at Brahma Sarovar during the ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Saini stated, ‘The International Gita Jayanti Mahotsav is starting today on the holy land where Lord Krishna delivered the message of the Gita. The festival will continue until December 11. This sacred site is home to 182 pilgrimage destinations. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our government has renovated these sites and continues to work towards their development.’

The International Gita Mahotsav 2024, being celebrated with great enthusiasm, marks Kurukshetra as a site of immense cultural and spiritual significance, the birthplace of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. The event, running from November 28 to December 15, includes an array of activities, blending spirituality, culture, and art to commemorate the timeless teachings of the Gita.

According to the Haryana Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the festival has seen immense success since its inception in 2016. CM Saini highlighted its global appeal, stating that the Mahotsav has drawn millions of participants annually, with last year’s turnout reaching approximately 45 to 50 lakh people. He further mentioned the festival’s expansion internationally, with events held in Mauritius and London in 2019, Canada in 2022, Australia in 2023, and Sri Lanka and England in 2024.

The festivities this year include a grand daily Gita Mahaarati on the banks of Brahma Sarovar, cultural programs across pilgrimage sites, and a variety of special events:

• December 5-7: A three-day International Gita Seminar at Kurukshetra University.
• December 9: A saint sammelan at Purushottampura Bagh.
• December 10: An All-India Devasthanam Conference at the same venue.
• December 11: On Gita Jayanti, activities include a global recitation of the Gita by 18,000 students, a Gita Yajna, Bhagwat Katha at Jyotisar Tirtha, an 8 Kos Tirtha Sammelan, a Gita Shobha Yatra, Deepotsav, and cultural programs at 182 pilgrimage sites.

Additionally, book fairs and exhibitions showcasing Gita-related literature will be held at Brahma Sarovar from December 5 to 11.

The Chief Minister lauded the festival’s role in promoting the values of Lord Krishna's teachings, emphasizing the efforts to preserve and propagate the message of the Gita to future generations.   

(ANI)