Priests of Tirthas across country to be invited for Sant Sammelan in K'shetra

Aiming to promote and get the International Gita Mahotsav (IGM) celebrated at all major Tirthas of the country, priests and Peethadhyakshas of various temples and Tirthas across the country will be invited to attend the Sant Sammelan during the upcoming International Gita Mahotsav-2024 in Kurukshetra.

This year, the mahotsav is to be celebrated from November 28 to December 15. As per the Kurukshetra Development Board, while Saras and craft fairs, as part of the celebrations, would be organised from November 28 to December 15, the main events would be held from December 5 to 11.

While Tanzania is proposed to be the partner country, Odisha is proposed to be partner state at the International Gita Mahotsav.

The IGM is a major fair in Kurukshetra and it attracts lakhs of tourists during the 18-day celebrations. But a majority of the tourists come from Haryana with a purpose of an outing. In the last edition of the IGM, artists and craftsmen from 24 states had reached Kurukshetra for the Mahotsav.

Madan Mohan Chhabra, chairman, 48-kos Tirtha Monitoring Committee, said “International Gita Mahotsav is celebrated in Kurukshetra but with the aim to get the Mahotsav celebrated at all major Tirthas of the country, it has been decided to hold a two-day sant sammelan, in which main priests of the Tirthas and Peethadkyakshas will be invited. The priests of Vaishno Devi, 12 Jyotirlings and big temples across the country will be invited. We are in talks with them and soon formal invites will be sent. They will attend the Sant Sammelan, seminars and visit major shrines of Kurukshetra, including Bhadrakali Temple, Jyotisar and Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple.”

“The prime objective of starting the IGM celebrations at a grand level was to promote Kurukshetra as a religious tourist destination. We want people to reach Kurukshetra throughout the year like they visit other Tirthas with devotion. The Sant Sammelan, in the presence of main priests of all major shrines, will help us promote Kurukshetra as a religious tourist destination. We want Kurukshetra and Gita be discussed across the country and make people visit the shrines here,” he added.

The chairman said that it has been decided to live broadcast the festival at prominent religious sites across India, including Vrindavan, Dwarka, Udupi, Jagannath temple and Govind temple.

“Preparations are underway for the smooth management of the mahotsav. Nearly five central ministers and Chief Ministers of three-four states are expected to join the celebrations this year. Various events will be held at all the Tirthas under 48 kos and all efforts are being made to increase the grandeur of the mahotsav,” Madan Mohan said.