International Gita Mahotsav 2024: Kurukshetra to Host Grand Celebrations from November 28 to December 15: The annual International Gita Mahotsav will return to Kurukshetra from November 28 to December 15, 2024, showcasing a grand celebration filled with cultural, spiritual, and educational activities, according to an official statement made on Thursday.
Since its inception in 2016, the Haryana Government has elevated the Gita Mahotsav to an international platform, enhancing both the state’s and India’s global reputation. The festival not only attracts domestic visitors but also gains international recognition, with a partner country chosen each year to spread the message of the Bhagavad Gita worldwide. This year, Tanzania has been selected as the partner country, while Odisha will be the partner state for the event.
Review Meeting for Gita Mahotsav 2024 Preparations
The preparation for this year’s festival was discussed during a review meeting chaired by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who also serves as the Vice President of the Kurukshetra Development Board. The meeting, held on Thursday, was attended by prominent figures such as Urban Local Bodies Minister Vipul Goyal and renowned Gita scholar Swami Gyananand Maharaj.
Cleanliness Drive: Divya Kurukshetra
During the meeting, Chief Minister Saini emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness throughout the city of Kurukshetra during the festival. He announced a special cleanliness campaign titled “Divya Kurukshetra,” in which he will personally participate. The campaign will involve youth, social and religious institutions, and resident welfare associations to ensure a clean environment for international visitors.
Key Events and Celebrations
The core festivities of the International Gita Mahotsav will take place from December 5 to December 11, 2024, with the grand celebration, also known as Mahaparva, scheduled for December 11. The festival will include a wide range of cultural events, spiritual discourses, and educational exhibitions, aiming to spread the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita on a global scale.
To expand the reach of the festival, a strong social media initiative is in place, as discussed during the review meeting. Furthermore, the event will feature national-level exhibitions and live broadcasts from four major religious sites across India: Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh), Dwarka (Gujarat), Udupi (Karnataka), and a significant site in Odisha.
Officials Involved in the Preparations
Several key officials participated in the meeting, including:
- Rajesh Khullar, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister
- Amit Agrawal, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister
- Vikas Gupta, Commissioner and Secretary, Urban Local Bodies Department
- K Makrand Pandurang, Director General, Information, Public Relations, Language, and Culture Department
- Rajesh Jogpal, Deputy Commissioner of Kurukshetra
- Bharat Bhushan Bharti, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister
- Pankaj, Chief Executive Officer, Kurukshetra Development Board
- Pawan Chaudhary, Advisor, Foreign Cooperation Department
- Madan Mohan Chhabra, Honorary Secretary, Kurukshetra Development Board
The International Gita Mahotsav 2024 promises to be a grand and spiritually enriching event, attracting visitors from all corners of the world to celebrate the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita.
