Preparations stepped up for 21-day Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra

After celebrating International Gita Mahotsav (IGM) at Bali in Indonesia, the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB), the district administration and the Haryana Government have geared up for the celebration of IGM 2025 here. This year, a 21-day IGM-25 will be celebrated from November 15 to December 5 on the banks of Brahma Sarovar.

Earlier, the celebrations, including the Saras and Craft Fairs, and the main events used to be held during an 18-day event. IGM is a major fair in Kurukshetra and attracts lakhs of tourists during the celebrations from across the country.

In the last edition of the IGM, artists and craftsmen from 24 states had reached Kurukshetra for the mahotsav. Around 650 stalls were set up and over 400 craftsmen, including national and state awardees from across the country, had come here to showcase their art.

Madan Mohan Chhabra, Chairman, 48-kos Tirtha Monitoring Committee, said, “The preparations have already started and meetings are being held to ensure a smooth event. This year, the international Gita seminar will witness the participation of scholars from different countries. The Ministry of External Affairs will celebrate the International Gita Mahotsav in 40 countries. As many as 25 scholars from 15 countries will be invited for three days during the IGM at Kurukshetra.

“A sanitation drive has already been launched in Kurukshetra. We are hopeful that the visitors will witness a clean Kurukshetra during the IGM,” he said.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a meeting was held to review the preparations by the officials of KDB. Honorary Secretary of KDB Upender Singhal said that this year, a 21-day festival would be organised and the main events would be held for eight days. From November 4 to 14, a Gita quiz would be organised and on November 15, a Gita run would be held. Ambassadors from 20 countries would attend the festival and craftsmen from seven countries would be invited.

Chief Executive Officer of KDB Pankaj Setia said, “The live telecast of IGM-25 will be done in nearly 40 countries. The main events of the festival will be organised from November 24 to December 1. The Saras and Craft Fairs will be organised from November 15 to December 5. Duties have been assigned and directions have been issued to departments to ensure that the works are completed within the stipulated time frame.”