The “Land of the Gita” echoed with international languages today as the first major wave of foreign delegates arrived for the second phase of the International Gita Mahotsav 2025.
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Global Representation: Among the 16 nations represented, the largest contingents arrived from Russia, Japan, Mauritius, and Australia. Many of these delegates are part of international chapters of spiritual organizations and academic departments dedicated to Indology and Sanskrit studies.
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The Academic Exchange: The core of their visit is the International Gita Seminar, where scholars will present papers on “Gita and Global Harmony.” Japanese delegates expressed particular interest in the Gita’s philosophy on Karma, drawing parallels with Zen principles, while the Russian delegation highlighted the deep-rooted popularity of the Gita in Russian literature and philosophy.
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Cultural Immersion: After the formal seminars, the foreign guests were given a guided tour of the Brahma Sarovar and the Jyotisar Tirth. Many were seen interacting with local artisans at the Saras Mela, purchasing traditional handicrafts as souvenirs.
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Government Reception: The Haryana government, in coordination with the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB), has set up a dedicated ‘Global Lounge’ to facilitate these guests. “The Gita is not confined to one religion or one geography; it is humanity’s manual. Seeing 16 countries under one roof in Kurukshetra proves that the world is looking toward Indian wisdom,” said a state official.
Community Sentiment
“It is amazing to see people from Russia and Japan coming to our small city to learn about the Gita. It makes us realize how lucky we are to live in a place with such deep history. Seeing them take part in the Aarti at Brahma Sarovar with so much respect was a beautiful sight,” said a local volunteer and student at Kurukshetra University.
