Celebration of International Gita Mahotsav in Australia

Since last several years the festival of International Gita Mahotsav (IGM) is celebrated at International level in India in the epic city of Kurukshetra (Haryana, India), the birth place of “Shrimad Bhagavad Gita” with devotion and charm. Last year this festival was visited by 4.5 million people not only from India but also from 10 other countries. Bhagavad Gita often referred to as Song Celestial, is the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna on the eve of the battle of Mahabharata for dispelling the ignorance and delusion of bewildered Arjuna for engaging him in his duties. This immortal message is believed to be delivered by Lord Krishna to Arjuna 5157 years ago. Bhagavad Gita is a world class philosophical and ethical treatise and is considered as the zenith of Indian wisdom. Bhagavad Gita is a bottomless sea containing endless strata of meaning. Just as a diver diving deep into the sea lays his hand on the precious gems, even so, diving deeper and deeper into the secrets of the Gita, the Seeker goes on discovering ever new piles of extraordinary gems of the ideas. The immortal message of Gita is practicable in all times and climes irrespective of colour, creed and faith. In fact Gita is the best panacea for eradication of evils and mental agonies prevailing in the present world.

Considering the universal appeal of Bhagavad Gita for World Peace, Harmony, International Brotherhood and Spiritual Development of individual and masses throughout the length and breadth of the globe, the festival of IGM is being organized in Sydney, Australia from 21st to 24th March 2020. In the past, this event has been successfully organised in the Republic of Mauritius and United Kingdom. The request for celebrating the event in Australia was made by Mr Sewa Singh, President of the Association of Haryanvis in Australia (AHA) last year. This proposal was welcomed and accepted with grace by the Hon’ble Governor and Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana as well as by the Spiritual, Religious and Voluntary Organizations of India. Hon’ble Governor, Mr Satyadeo Narain Arya and Hon’ble Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal are likely to participate in this Mahotsav over four days. His Holiness Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj, the famous spiritual signature of India will be accompanied by many of his followers from India and Australia for the successful organisation of the event in Australia. In fact he is the prime source of inspiration for successful organization of International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra and abroad. The festival is being organized by Haryana Government through Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB).

Government of Haryana is giving all the logistic support for the organization of this event in Australia. A three-member team comprising Mr. Madan Mohan Chhabra, Honorary Secretary KDB, Mr. Gagandeep Singh, CEO KDB and Mr. Upender Singhal, Member, KDB recently visited Australia for reviewing and making advance preparations for IGM, Australia 2020. This is a collective community Mahotsav (Cultural Festival). Organisations encompassing every faith and belief are involved in the organisation of this Mahotsav. Leading organisations like Hindu Council of Australia, ISKCON, BAPS, HSS, VHP, ASMY, SJM, Ekal, SVCC, ILASA, and many others have joined hands with Association of Haryanvis in Australia and play a very important role in making this Mahotsav the best ever Australia has witnessed. Like previous celebrations of Mauritius and London, the events of Gita Sadbhavna Yatra, Gita Yajna, Global Gita Chanting, International Seminar on Gita, Online Gita Quiz, Gita Exhibition, Essay Competition and different Cultural programs are to be organized from 21st to 24th March 2020 at Sydney, Australia.

On the first day of the event i.e. March 21, 2020, International Gita Seminar will be conducted in International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour Sydney. Theme for the seminar will be “Bhagvad Gita as Epitome of Peace and Harmony”. Approximately 2500 patrons from all parts of Australia are expected to attend this event. Apart from this, an Exhibition on Gita and Kurukshetra will also be displayed.

On the 2nd day of the event i.e. March 22, 2020, Gita Sadbhavna Yatra will be organised. Starting from BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Rose Hill and passing through streets of Harris Park (Little India), the Yatra will conclude at Parramatta River Foreshore where Traditional Indian cultural programs have been planned on the pattern of Kurukshetra’s Brahma Sarovar and Maha Aarti will be performed on the banks of river for which special Aarti stands will be brought from Kurukshetra. On the 3^rd day of the event i.e. March 23, 2020, a reception function will be organised at FederalParliament, Canberra. A copy of Gita will be presented to the Speaker, Federal Parliament Canberra. Eminent leaders, saints and speakers from all walks of life are expected to attend. Consulates of various countries are invited to attend this prestigious event.

On the 4th day of the event i.e. March 24, 202, Valedictory function of IGM will be held in NSW State Parliament, Sydney in which eminent scholars and prominent persons of Sydney will participate. Adelegation of around 120 people comprising political heads, dignitaries, eminent saints and academicians will participate in this function.

For pre-event activity, KDB will organise online Gita Quiz for 20 days. Every day two winners will be announced through lucky draw and will be awarded $100 to each winner. Painting, essay writing competition as well as Gita Recitation competition are also planned for younger students.

During the Mahotsav, Gita Yagya and Global Gita Chanting will be organised for peace and strength to the victims of the bush fire in Australia. IGM Team envisage a celebration that is celebrated by not only the practitioners of Gita but other

Organisations who embrace this philosophy. Prof Nihal Singh Agar AM or Sewa Singh can be contacted for any other information or an email can also be sent to IGM2020@myaha.org.au for any further queries or questions.

 

 

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