International Gita Mahotsav concludes in Bali

On the occasion, Swami Gyananand said the International Gita Mahotsav held in Bali, Indonesia, has opened a new chapter in cultural heritage between Kurukshetra and Bali. To further promote these cultural values, the Governor of Indonesia has also proposed the establishment of a Cultural Centre in the sacred land of Kurukshetra in the name of Maharishi Markandeya.

Earlier, Swami Gyananand, Haryana Tourism Minister Dr Arvind Sharma, Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs (South) Dr Neena Malhotra, Commissioner and Secretary of the Haryana Information, Public Relations and Languages Department Dr Amit Kumar Agrawal, and Consul General of India in Bali Dr Shashank Vikram offered reverence to the Gita.

Expressing gratitude to the Government and people of Indonesia, Swami Gyananand Maharaj said the Mahotsav, organised under the aegis of the Haryana Government, Kurukshetra Development Board and GIEO Gita, was not only a festival but also a medium to strengthen cultural bonds between India and Indonesia. He said the event marked a new beginning in fostering friendly relations between the two nations.

Devotees from different countries participated in the Maha Aarti.

Haryana Tourism Minister Dr Arvind Sharma said that from the land of Indonesia, the teachings of the holy scripture Gita will reach every corner of the world.

He said for the first time, the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, will celebrate the International Gita Mahotsav in 40 countries, and more than 23 scholars from different countries will be invited for three days during the International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra.

The closing ceremony in Bali was also attended by Senator Dr I Gusti Ngurah Arya, Padma Shri awardee Indra Udayana, Chairperson of Haryana State Women Commission Renu Bhatia, Mayor of Karnal Renu Bala Gupta, Honorary Secretary Upendra Singhal, Chairman of 48 Kos Tirtha Monitoring Committee Madan Mohan Chhabra, along with other dignitaries.