Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday said the International Gita Mahotsava will start from December 2 and will continue till December 19 while the main events will be held from December 9 to 14 in Kurukshetra.
“Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is the essence of life. It is a matter of great fortune for the country and the people of the state that this time on the occasion of International Gita Mahotsava, the celestial message of Gita will be 5,158-year-old, the Chief Minister said during a Press conference at Purushotampura Bagh located on Brahmasarovar in Kurukshetra.
He said till now, there were 134 pilgrimage places in the 48 kos area of Kurukshetra but this time, 30 more pilgrimage sites have been added to it, after which the total number of sites will increase to 164. Along with this, a Mahabharata-themed building will be constructed at Gitasthali Jyotisar on 2 acres of land at a cost of Rs 205 crore. The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Saraswati river and Vedic Civilization will be depicted through a multimedia system in this building, he announced.
Giving information related to the International Gita Mahotsava, the Chief Minister said the Shilp and Saras Mela will start on December 2, in which about 350 eminent artists and craftsmen will participate. It will run till December 19. The main programme will start with Gita Yagya and prayers at Brahmasarovar on December 9. A grand Gita Maha Aarti will be organised on the holy bank of Brahmasarovar, he said.
Khattar said Shrimad Bhagavad Gita has also been an inspiration for the freedom fighters who were martyred for the freedom of the country and Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav-themed programmes will be conducted to honour their sacrifice.
A three-day International Gita Seminar will be organised at Kurukshetra University. Research papers from within the country and abroad will be presented online in the seminar on the topic “Role of the Holy Book Gita in the Freedom Movement”. On completion of 75 years of independence, 75 freedom fighters and their families will be honoured.
On December 12, Sant Sammelan will be organised during the festival. During this, the saints will discuss the subject of Gita and spirituality and give their views. Along with this, Gita Sansad will be organised in colleges of Haryana on December 13. Cultural programmes will be organised at 75 pilgrimages of 48 Kos Kurukshetra on
December 14. On concerns related to Covid-19, the CM said the Covid protocols will be strictly followed in the International Gita Mahotsav. Thermal screening and vaccination will be done as per the requirement at various entrances of the venue, he added.
1,100 students to recite Gita
The CM said on December 14, about 1,100 students will recite the Gita at Brahmasarovar, while 55,000 students from the country and abroad will participate in online Gita recitation. Along with this, 75 eminent sculptors will make sculptures based on the theme of Mahabharata and Gita. Even before the start of International Gita Festival 2021, 3.5 lakh people from more than 25 countries, including America, Canada, UK, are associated with the festival through social media.
Exhibition on Gita proposed in various countries
The CM said option of promoting the International Gita Mahotsav by arranging exhibitions at embassies of various countries will be explored. Apart from that, the possibility of holding Gita Mahotsava in various State capitals would also be mapped. He said the Gita Mahotsav is now being celebrated Internationally. Most recent International Gita Mahotsava included scholars from 28 nations. Additionally, High Commissioners of six nations were present during last Gita Mahotsav, he added.
