New Delhi: The 23rd Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Bhagwat, a revered holy scripture first penned on Kartik Poornima, November 30, 2001, by Revered Gurujee Dr. Chandra Bhanu Satpathy, was celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm both in India and across the globe.
Observed as Shri Guru Bhagwat Day, the festival showcased a vibrant array of cultural and spiritual activities, bringing together devotees from diverse regions.
Celebrations in the capital commenced early at the GMR Temple in Aerocity, where a vibrant Deepotsav festival was held on November 12. The program featured a mix of Bhojpuri songs and a Telugu dance performance, both dedicated to the teachings of Shri Guru Bhagwat.
In Odisha, festivities spanned across multiple regions:
Bhubaneswar’s Sai International School hosted a cultural event with four participating groups: students from Sai International, Gopalpur Tungi, Naharkanta Temple, and Sai Nirmalya, Baleswar.
Highlights included Granth Puja, children’s recitations of Jagannath Stabak, mass recitations, and dance performances.Western Odisha saw collaborative celebrations among Tungis, featuring a musical play in Rajgangpur. A special children’s performance at Naharkanta was streamed live on YouTube, attracting online viewers.
Additional notable events included a Palki Yatra in Baripada, and programs in Rourkela, Berhampur, Govindpur, and Keonjhar.
Devotees in Bihar observed the day with great devotion. At the Shri Sai Sadhna Mandir in Patna, a 24-hour Akhand Parayan brought together the faithful.
In Danapur, devotees held a Shri Guru Bhagwat Puja, followed by Parayan and an evening Bhandara.
Celebrations continued with a series of spiritual events in Chhattisgarh. Daulat Vatika will host a special gathering on November 18, featuring former Chief Minister Bhupesh Bhagel. In Raipur, devotees united for a collective Parayan.
The spiritual energy was palpable in Uttar Pradesh. At the Tigri Mela in Moradabad, a seminar on November 14 was followed by Shri GB Parayan and a Palki procession on November 15. Lucknow celebrated with a grand collective Parayan on November 15, with a larger Palki procession set for November 30. In Nagpur, Maharashtra, devotees participated in Parayan with zeal.
At Sai Ka Aangan in Gurugram, Haryana, special events included the release of two new musical albums by Gurujee, celebrating the teachings of Shri Guru Bhagwat.
Global Celebrations
The influence of Shri Guru Bhagwat transcended borders, with international celebrations held in cities like Sydney and Perth in Australia, Auckland in New Zealand, and multiple U.S. locations, including Seattle, Dallas, and Chicago. Devotees abroad gathered for Parayan, underscoring the global reach of this spiritual tradition.
From Pujas and Palki Yatras to musical plays, dance performances, mass recitations, and more, the 2024 celebrations were a vibrant expression of the teachings of Shri Guru Bhagwat. Each event highlighted the scripture’s ability to unite communities across languages, cultures, and borders.
The 2024 Shri Guru Bhagwat Day festivities were a powerful testament to the scripture’s enduring spiritual significance. Marked by lights, music, and communal gatherings, the celebration stood as a symbol of faith, culture, and unity, showcasing a growing global community inspired by the timeless wisdom of Shri Guru Bhagwat.