Kurukshetra: Odisha is the partner State for the International Gita Mahotsav being held in Kurukshetra, Haryana, from November 28 and culminating on December 15. IGM Opened on 5 December with pomp and show.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has been eager to showcase Odisha’s culture, heritage and spirituality in other States and in International Forum.
When Chief Minister of Haryana Nayab Singh Saini requested Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for extending State Partner Support of International Gita Mahotsav, Shri Majhi agreed to the proposal.
Minister Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Suryabanshi Suraj urged senior officials to do the needful.
Accordingly, Principal Secretary Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Bishnupada Sethi directed Director Culture, Bijaya Ketan Upadhyaya and Dr.Upadhyaya coordinated the entire arrangment.
Dr.Upadhyaya is coordinating with the IGM authorities and Resident Commission Office, Delhi on regular basis, said sources.
The International Gita Mahotsav is a grand spiritual and cultural festival that celebrates the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and attracts devotees, scholars, and cultural enthusiasts from all over the world.
It is a platform to showcase India’s spiritual heritage, cultural richness, and philosophical depth. The festival includes discourses, cultural performances, exhibitions, and vibrant crafts bazaars.
Odisha is the Partner State of the International Gita Mahotsav 2024. It thus plays a significant role in contributing to the grandeur of this globally celebrated spiritual and cultural event. The state’s participation underlines its rich cultural and spiritual heritage and fosters the theme of unity in diversity that the Bhagavad Gita embodies.
The involvement of Odisha is thus a testimony to the harmonious coexistence of the varied traditions, beliefs, and artistic expressions of India, officials said.
Odisha has a lot of spiritual Connection to the Bhagavad Gita. The philosophy of karma (duty) as taught in Gita goes very well with core belief systems of Odisha itself, as reflected in Lord Jagannath and Rath Yatra, indicating devotion, service, and universal brotherhood, they said.
The cultural values of peace and enlightenment, stemming from the Kalinga War and Emperor Ashoka’s transformation, mirror the Gita’s message of inner transformation and self-realization.
Odisha famous handicrafts will also go on display, adding depth and richness to the cultural side of Mahotsav. Pattachitra Painting Applique Work from Pipili, Silver Filigree Work and Tourism Promotion activities are being organized there.
Odisha’s participation in the Mahotsav provides an excellent platform to highlight its tourism potential like the Golden Triangle of Odisha: Puri, Konark, and Bhubaneswar, Buddhist Tourism: The legacy of peace and non-violence following the Kalinga War, Eco-tourism: Attractions like Chilika Lake and Similipal National Park, the officials said.
This year, the International Gita Mahotsav will span 18 days. In the 2023 edition, over 4.5 million people participated, and a significant crowd is also anticipated this year. Since its inception in India in 2016, the Gita Mahotsav has expanded internationally, with events held in countries like London, Canada, Sri Lanka, and Australia since 2019.
Odisha as a Partner State will bring richness and depth to the festival, because it will amalgamate all the essence of Eastern India with that of Kurukshetra historic and spiritual importance. In this way, the Mahotsav will form a holistic manifestation of India’s cultural and spiritual glory, the officials said.
Odisha’s participation in International Gita Mahotsav 2024 is not just representation but a commitment to uphold India’s cultural and spiritual legacy. Through its art, culture, heritage, and spirituality, Odisha will play a significant role in the success of the festival, making the Gita’s ageless message of duty, devotion, and self-realization reverberate across the globe.