Governor Bandaru Dattatreya inaugurates Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra

Governor Bandaru Dattatreya kick-started the International Gita Mahotsav (IGM)-2024 celebrations with Saras and craft fairs on the banks of Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra on Thursday.

Artistes dressed in traditional attires accorded a rousing welcome to the Governor and other dignitaries. Artistes and craftsmen from over 20 states have reached Kurukshetra for the mahotsav.

Around 650 stalls have been set up and over 400 craftsmen, including national and state awardees from across the country, have reached here to showcase their talent. The Governor visited the fairs and interacted with the artisans.

He said, “Thousands of years ago, Lord Krishna delivered the sermon of Gita to Arjuna on the land of Kurukshetra. This knowledge of Gita is as useful today as it was at that time. Kurukshetra is as useful today as it was at that time. This message of Gita will be remembered for ages. Gita Mahotsav is being celebrated not only in Kurukshetra but also at the international level. Today, it has been formally inaugurated with the Saras and craft fairs. While the fairs will conclude on December 15, the cultural events of the festival will be held from December 5 to 11.”

“Sant Sammelan, Deepotsav, Gita Seminar and various other events will be organised during the mahotsav. These events will inspire the young generation and will also provide a unique opportunity to showcase ancient culture on one platform. Like every year, lakhs of people will reach Kurukshetra to attend Gita Mahotsav from across the country and abroad. Artists, craftsmen, artisans and self-help groups have also reached here to showcase their art and sell their products. People earn livelihood and also get to know about their culture,” he said.

While interacting with mediapersons, Dattatreya, who is also the chairman of the Kurukshetra Development Board, said, “The state and central governments have been making efforts to spread the message of Gita not only in India but also across the world. These efforts have been fruitful as the mahotsav is now being celebrated in other countries too. Kurukshetra is a spiritual, religious and educational centre. After the formation of the Kurukshetra Development Board, the development work of the pilgrimages of 48-Kos Kurukshetra land was started. While 182 tirthas have been documented by the board so far, the work of pilgrimage survey is under way.”

Thanesar Congress MLA Ashok Arora, former MLA and BJP leader Subhash Sudha, Commissioner, Ambala Division, Geeta Bharti, Deputy Commissioner Neha Singh, KDB’s honorary secretary Upender Singhal, chairman, 48-kos Tirtha Monitoring Committee, Madan Mohan Chhabra and several officials and KDB members were present on this occasion.