Srimad Bhagavad Gita is the scripture that is considered holy by Indians, and its birth is celebrated on Gita Jayanti Samaroh. Hindus have looked to the Srimad Bhagavad Gita as their spiritual mentor and intellectual manual ever since it was written. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Tuesday that the International Gita Mahotsav 2023, a spectacular celebration of this sacred text, will take place in Kurukshetra from December 7 to December 24.
Kurukshetra To Host International Gita Mahotsav
Come together in search of infinite knowledge
Getting a chance to dive into the ocean of divine knowledge. Come to the International Geeta Festival to be held in Kurukshetra from 07 to 24 December. pic.twitter.com/QHwIR9fzYu— International Gita Mahotsav (@igmkkr) December 6, 2023
CM Khattar said that Assam would be taking part in the festival as a partner state this year. Declaring that since 2016, the Haryana government has been hosting the Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra on a worldwide scale, Khattar stated that the celebration extended its scope beyond countries in Canada, Australia, and London.
The #InternationalGitaMahotsav 2023, organised in Australia was a resounding success.
The Australian Minister for Climate Change & Energy, Mr. Chris Bowen shared his own experience of the Mahotsav and enlighted the importance of Shrimad Bhagwad Gita.
He stated that the scripts… pic.twitter.com/IsbLQr5Ekd
— CMO Haryana (@cmohry) May 13, 2023
The location for celebrating the festival is Kurukshetra, Haryana. The festival’s location heightens the event’s holiness. The celestial hymns in “Bhagwad Gita” is said to have been given to Arjuna by Lord Krishna in Kurukshetra.
The location is significant since it was here that the renowned sage Manu penned the Manusmriti. This is also where the Sama Veda and the Rig Veda were compiled. In addition to Lord Krishna, other celestial figures who have visited the land include Gautama Buddha and distinguished Sikh Gurus.
Hindus commemorate this event with great religious passion and dedication since it is very sacred to them.
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18-Day Long Festival
हरियाणा के कुरुक्षेत्र में 7 दिसंबर से 24 दिसंबर 2023 तक अंतरराष्ट्रीय गीता महोत्सव का आयोजन किया जा रहा है। यह महोत्सव हर साल श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता के संदेश को फैलाने और प्रचार करने के लिए आयोजित किया जाता है। #InternationalGitaMahotsav2023 #GitaMahotsavKurukshetra #GitaKnowledge pic.twitter.com/xzADxUQTpi
— International Gita Mahotsav (@igmkkr) December 6, 2023
Major events during the 18-long celebration include dance performances, dramas, book exhibitions, Bhagwad Katha readings, Bhajans, shloka recitals, and free medical check-up camps.
Kurukshetra Development Board, Haryana Tourism, District Administration, North Zone Cultural Centre Patiala, and the Department of Information and Public Relations of Haryana are the organisations that organise the Samaroh.
The chief minister said that on December 7, the International Gita Mahotsav would start with crafts and a “saras”mela on the banks of Kurukshetra’s sacred Brahma Sarovar.
The talents of well-known artists and craftspeople in the country would be on display at this expo. To introduce tourists and pilgrims to the rich culture of Haryana, a special pavilion displaying folk dance, crafts, small-scale industries, and regional food would be built up.
Krishna’s Idol Will Be Made
अनंत ज्ञान की खोज में एक साथ आएं
दिव्य ज्ञान के महासागर में गोता लगाने का मौका मिल रहा है। 07 से 24 दिसम्बर तक कुरुक्षेत्र में आयोजित होने वाले अंतरराष्ट्रीय गीता महोत्सव में पधारें। इस महोत्सव में भगवद् गीता के सार को समझने और उसके ज्ञान को अपने जीवन में उतारने का अवसर मिलेगा। pic.twitter.com/7MyqYjQRpn— International Gita Mahotsav (@igmkkr) December 6, 2023
Additionally, Khattar said that Kurukshetra University will host a symposium on December 23 that will centre on the pilgrimages that occur within the 48 “Kos” of Kurukshetra. In order to later make an idol of Lord Krishna, representatives from 164 pilgrimage committees in Kurukshetra would take part, bringing soil and water from their separate pilgrimages.
18,000 students in Kurukshetra would lead a global Gita recitation on the same day, known as Gita Jayanti. On December 23, Deepotsav will be held at all 164 Kurukshetra pilgrimage sites in observance of Gita Jayanti.
The Kurukshetra Development Board initiated the Gita Mahotsav in 1989, starting it as a district-level event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to acknowledge Kurukshetra as a major hub for the Gita’s teachings during a visit in 2014. In 2016, the Mahotsav became an international occasion.
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Have you ever participated in this festival?
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva
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