Odisha has been chosen as the Partner State for the International Gita Mahotsav 2024, a grand spiritual and cultural festival held in Kurukshetra, Haryana. This year’s Mahotsav began on December 5 with a vibrant inauguration and will continue until December 15. Odisha’s active participation highlights its cultural, spiritual, and artistic heritage on a national and global platform.
Odisha’s collaboration with Haryana began when Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini requested Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to extend state support for the event. Shri Majhi agreed, reflecting his vision to showcase Odisha’s rich culture and spirituality. Minister of Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Suryabanshi Suraj directed senior officials to ensure Odisha’s impactful representation. The arrangement is being coordinated by Bishnupada Sethi, Principal Secretary of Odia Language, Literature, and Culture, and Bijaya Ketan Upadhyaya, Director of Culture.
The International Gita Mahotsav celebrates the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, attracting devotees, scholars, and cultural enthusiasts worldwide. The event features spiritual discourses, cultural performances, exhibitions, and a crafts bazaar, showcasing India’s spiritual and cultural heritage. Since its inception in 2016, the festival has expanded internationally, with events held in London, Canada, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Over 4.5 million people participated in 2023, and an even larger crowd is expected this year.
As the Partner State, Odisha is contributing significantly to the grandeur of the festival, underlining its deep spiritual connection to the Bhagavad Gita. The core philosophy of karma (duty), as taught in the Gita, aligns closely with Odisha’s spiritual ethos, represented in the Lord Jagannath culture and the Rath Yatra, symbolizing devotion, service, and universal brotherhood.The Kalinga War and Emperor Ashoka’s transformation further mirror the Gita’s themes of inner transformation and self-realization, reinforcing Odisha’s historical and spiritual ties to the Gita’s teachings.
Odisha’s participation also includes showcasing its renowned handicrafts, including:Pattachitra paintings, Applique work from Pipili, Silver filigree craftsmanship. These traditional arts enrich the festival’s cultural dimension. Additionally, the state is using the Mahotsav to promote its diverse tourism offerings, such as: Golden Triangle: Puri, Konark, and Bhubaneswar, Buddhist tourism: Reflecting the legacy of peace and non-violence post-Kalinga War, Eco-tourism: Featuring attractions like Chilika Lake and Similipal National Park.
Odisha’s participation enhances the festival by amalgamating Eastern India’s cultural essence with Kurukshetra’s historic and spiritual significance. This collaborative representation promotes the theme of unity in diversity, a hallmark of India’s cultural identity. Through its involvement, Odisha reaffirms its commitment to upholding India’s spiritual and cultural legacy. The state’s rich traditions and artistic expressions amplify the Mahotsav’s global resonance, making the Bhagavad Gita’s universal message of duty, devotion, and self-realization echo worldwide.
Odisha has been chosen as the Partner State for the International Gita Mahotsav 2024, a grand spiritual and cultural festival held in Kurukshetra, Haryana. This year’s Mahotsav began on December 5 with a vibrant inauguration and will continue until December 15. Odisha’s active participation highlights its cultural, spiritual, and artistic heritage on a national and global platform.
Odisha’s collaboration with Haryana began when Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini requested Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to extend state support for the event. Shri Majhi agreed, reflecting his vision to showcase Odisha’s rich culture and spirituality. Minister of Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Suryabanshi Suraj directed senior officials to ensure Odisha’s impactful representation. The arrangement is being coordinated by Bishnupada Sethi, Principal Secretary of Odia Language, Literature, and Culture, and Bijaya Ketan Upadhyaya, Director of Culture.
The International Gita Mahotsav celebrates the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, attracting devotees, scholars, and cultural enthusiasts worldwide. The event features spiritual discourses, cultural performances, exhibitions, and a crafts bazaar, showcasing India’s spiritual and cultural heritage. Since its inception in 2016, the festival has expanded internationally, with events held in London, Canada, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Over 4.5 million people participated in 2023, and an even larger crowd is expected this year.
As the Partner State, Odisha is contributing significantly to the grandeur of the festival, underlining its deep spiritual connection to the Bhagavad Gita. The core philosophy of karma (duty), as taught in the Gita, aligns closely with Odisha’s spiritual ethos, represented in the Lord Jagannath culture and the Rath Yatra, symbolizing devotion, service, and universal brotherhood.The Kalinga War and Emperor Ashoka’s transformation further mirror the Gita’s themes of inner transformation and self-realization, reinforcing Odisha’s historical and spiritual ties to the Gita’s teachings.
Odisha’s participation also includes showcasing its renowned handicrafts, including:Pattachitra paintings, Applique work from Pipili, Silver filigree craftsmanship. These traditional arts enrich the festival’s cultural dimension. Additionally, the state is using the Mahotsav to promote its diverse tourism offerings, such as: Golden Triangle: Puri, Konark, and Bhubaneswar, Buddhist tourism: Reflecting the legacy of peace and non-violence post-Kalinga War, Eco-tourism: Featuring attractions like Chilika Lake and Similipal National Park.
Odisha’s participation enhances the festival by amalgamating Eastern India’s cultural essence with Kurukshetra’s historic and spiritual significance. This collaborative representation promotes the theme of unity in diversity, a hallmark of India’s cultural identity. Through its involvement, Odisha reaffirms its commitment to upholding India’s spiritual and cultural legacy. The state’s rich traditions and artistic expressions amplify the Mahotsav’s global resonance, making the Bhagavad Gita’s universal message of duty, devotion, and self-realization echo worldwide.
