Tanzania to be partner nation for Gita Mahotsav, Odisha partner state

The International Gita Mahotsav this year will showcase a divine confluence of spirituality, culture and art. The grand event will take place from November 28 to December 15 during which the timeless message of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita will be shared with all of humanity.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said this while addressing a press conference here today. He said the solution to every problem could be found in the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita.

He said that this year, the United Republic of Tanzania would be the partner country for the mahotsav and Odisha will be the partner state.

Saini stated that the mahotsav has achieved immense success over the past eight years, since 2016. Lakhs of people from India and abroad attend the mahotsav. Last year, 45-50 lakh people took part.

He highlighted that for the first time in 2019, the International Gita Mahotsav was held in Mauritius and London, followed by celebrations in Canada in September 2022, Australia in April 2023, and Sri Lanka and England in 2024.

The Chief Minister said that from November 28 to December 15, a grand Gita ‘maha-aarti’ will be held daily on the banks of Brahma Sarovar.

Cultural programmes will take place at various pilgrimage sites throughout the 48 ‘kos’ of Kurukshetra from November 28 to December 11. The festival will officially kick off with a Gita ‘yajna’ and ‘pujan’ at Brahma Sarovar on December 5.

On the same day, a three-day 'International Gita Seminar' will begin at Kurukshetra University.

On December 9, a saint sammelan will be held at Purushottampura Bagh, followed by an All-India Devasthanam Conference at the same location on December 10.

The Chief Minister highlighted that on Gita Jayanti (December 11), a Gita yajna and Bhagwat katha would be organised at Jyotisar Tirtha with a global recitation of the Gita by 18,000 students.

On December 11, there will be an 8 ‘kos’ Tirtha Sammelan, Gita Shobha Yatra, Deepotsav and cultural programmes at 182 pilgrimage sites within Kurukshetra University.

As in the previous years, Gita book fairs and exhibitions will also take place at Brahma Sarovar from December 5 to 11.

The Chief Minister said that a Crafts and Saras Mela would also take place from November 28 to December 15, featuring the cultures of Tanzania and Odisha, along with other artistic creations.

Suryabanshi Suraj, Odisha Minister of State for Languages, Literature and Culture, highlighted that Haryana was the land of the Gita, while Odisha was the land of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, who is regarded as an avatar of Lord Krishna.

Anisa Kapufi Mbega, High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania to India, said this partnership demonstrated how culture could unite people.

Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand said this year marked the completion of 5,161 years since the sacred message of Bhagavad Gita was revealed. He said that programmes of Gita Mahotsav has already been organized in five countries Mauritius, England, Canada, Australia and Sri Lanka.