Gita Jayanti
Gita Jayanti is an annual celebration to commemorate the day when Shri Krishna rendered His philosophical teachings, immortalized in the epic Mahabharata, to Arjuna on the first day of the 18-day battle of Kurukshetra.
When Arjuna refused to fight against his cousins, the Kauravas in the battle, Shri Krishna expounded the truth of life and the philosophy of Karma and Dharma to him, thereby giving birth to one of the world's greatest scriptures, the Gita.
Bhagavad Gita Jayanti is celebrated every year on Shukla Ekadashi in Margashirsha month.
Devotees celebrate Gita Jayanti by reciting Bhagavad Gita Shlokas, quotes and verses. As the festival is observed on Ekadashi, devotees keep a fast. They sing Krishna Bhajans and devotional songs, worship Shri Krishna and distribute prasad & sweets.
People all over the world gather in Kurukshetra to take part in the ritual bath in the sacred water of the ponds - Sanchit Sarovar and Brahm Sarovar. A fair is also organized that lasts for about a week and the people participate in prayer recitals, Gita reading, Bhajans, Aartis, dance, dramas, etc. Over the years, the fair known as Gita Jayanti Samaroh has gained immense popularity, and a large number of tourists visit Kurukshetra during the event to participate in this sacred gathering.
This year Gita Jayanti was celebrated on 22 December 2023.
