International Gita Fest

• 18 Nov 2024

Why in News?

Recently, the 11-day ‘Gita Quiz,’ was launched as part of the International Gita Mahotsav 2024 (IGM) celebrations. The competition has daily five questions related to the Gita, and Mahabharata. Odisha is the partner state for IGM 2024.

Key Points

• Objectives of the Gita Quiz:
  • The quiz aims to educate people, especially the youth, about the Gita and Mahabharata.
  • Participants are encouraged to pick up the holy books and explore answers, fostering discussions and awareness.
  • The quiz serves as an orientation course for devotees and pilgrims before the main mahotsav begins.
• Competition Format and Rewards:
  • The quiz has two categories public and student.
    • Each day, 20 winners from each category will receive Rs 500 each.
  • At the end of the quiz,25 winners from each category will receive Rs 1,000 each, with 10 winners from Haryana, 10 from other states, and 5 from Odisha, in the IGM 2024.
  • Top motivators will also be awarded monetary prizes and certificates of excellence.
• Focus on School Students and Quality Questions:
  • School-going children form a significant portion of participants.
  • The number of daily winners has been doubled to encourage participation, while the quality of questions is being improved.

International Gita Mahotsav 2024 (IGM)

• The celebration fosters a moral and cultural resurgence, offering relevance in today’s challenging times.
• The festival aims to enlighten people through the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as the "song celestial."
• History of the Festival:
  • The Gita Mahotsav has been celebrated in Kurukshetra, Haryana, since 1989, under the joint efforts of the Haryana Government and the Kurukshetra Development Board.
• International Recognition:
  • In 2016, Haryana declared the celebration as the International Gita Mahotsav, drawing over two million visitors to Kurukshetra.
• Highlights of Recent Celebrations:
  • Participation of international artists and craftsmen.
  • Large craft fairs and exhibitions by religious and spiritual organizations.
  • Indian and foreign scholars attended a seminar on the Gita organized by Kurukshetra University.
  • Global chanting of the Gita by 18,000 students.
  • Gita Sobha Yatra, food stalls from various Indian regions, and a grand craft mela.
• Cultural and Spiritual Impact:
  • The festival promotes cultural exchange and spirituality, attracting global audiences and enhancing its popularity each year.
  • Through its diverse programs, the Gita Mahotsav unites people across regions and nations, celebrating the essence of the Bhagavad Gita.