The first Sunday of the International Gita Mahotsav 2025 turned the holy city into a kaleidoscope of colors and commerce, as tens of thousands of people converged at the Brahma Sarovar for the Saras Mela.
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Massive Footfall: By noon, the parking lots at Pipli and near the university were already at capacity. The Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) estimated that more than 50,000 people passed through the gates, a record for an opening-weekend Sunday.
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A Win for Artisans: The true success of the day was felt by the artisans. “We have sold nearly 40% of our stock today alone. People are especially interested in the terracotta work and the pashmina shawls,” said a craftsman from Jammu & Kashmir. Stalls from the partner state, Madhya Pradesh, saw a huge rush for Chanderi and Maheshwari fabrics.
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Cultural Immersion: The open-air stages featured non-stop folk performances, including Haryanvi Ragheeni and Been Jogi music, which kept the crowds entertained throughout the day. The Food Court was another major attraction, with traditional Bajra Khichdi and Madhya Pradesh’s Poha-Jalebi being top sellers.
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Logistical Management: To handle the surge, the police utilized the AI-enabled CCTV network to monitor crowd density and prevent bottlenecks. Special e-rickshaws were operational for the elderly and disabled to ferry them from the outer parking lots to the main mela area.
Community Sentiment
“We come every year, but this time the organization is much better despite the huge crowd. The kids loved the craft demonstrations, and we managed to buy some beautiful handmade home decor. It’s the perfect Sunday outing—combining spiritual peace at the Sarovar with the fun of the mela,” said a resident who traveled from Karnal with his family.
