States » NorthPosted at: Oct 29 2026 9:12PM


West Bengal, Delhi to join International Gita Mahotsav as partner states; Haryana plans outreach to 182 sacred sites

Chandigarh, Oct 29 (UNI) Haryana is preparing to give the International Gita Mahotsav a wider national and global reach this year, with West Bengal and Delhi joining as partner states, with a public outreach campaign covering 182 sacred sites across the 48-kos Kurukshetra region, and a series of cultural, spiritual and educational programmes scheduled from December 5 to 25.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced the plans at the 83rd meeting of the Kurukshetra Development Board’s governing body, chaired by Governor Prof. Asim Kumar Ghosh.
The Chief Minister also outlined an ambitious infrastructure push to strengthen Kurukshetra’s position as a major spiritual and heritage destination.
The awareness journey will begin on December 2, covering 182 pilgrimage sites, while a procession will be taken out from Pipli on December 4.
Bhagwat Katha, Gita conferences, a craft fair and a Gita book fair will be among the key attractions.
An exhibition marking 60 years of Haryana’s formation will also be organised, alongside programmes focused on character-building among young people.
Saini said Gita Jayanti celebrations would also be held at the district level from December 18 to 20. Gita recitation programmes will be organised in temples across Haryana’s villages, while students from Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas across the country will be encouraged to participate.
The exhibition will feature participation from ISRO, the Indian Navy, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), adding scientific, defence and cultural dimensions to the festival.
Announcing major development projects, the Chief Minister said a 90-room guest house would be constructed on 6.5 acres near Brahma Sarovar at an estimated cost of ₹120 crore.
Other planned works include a Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh entrance gate at Purushottampura, archaeological renovation of the ancient Draupadi Well, and decorative peacock-feather-shaped lights and tiles at Brahma Sarovar. An entrance gate and a Gita pillar will also be developed at Jyotisar.
A master plan has been prepared for Saraswati Tirth at Pehowa, including a circumambulatory pathway extending over two kilometres.
Eleven roundabouts in Kurukshetra are also being renovated, with tenders already issued. Surveys of 12 additional sites are under way, which could increase the number of pilgrimage sites under the board from 182 to 194.
The Chief Minister directed officials to launch a month-long cleanliness drive before the festival, deploy a dedicated sanitation force and install waste bins across the Kurukshetra Development Board area.
Daily spiritual activities should be organised at pilgrimage sites, while transport and traffic arrangements must be strengthened to handle the expected influx of visitors.
Sites demonstrating exemplary work will be recognised during Gita Jayanti, with awards and cash incentives. Saini also called for the development of self-sustaining pilgrimage centres through the renovation of ponds, improved lighting, pathways, shaded trees and facilities for devotees.
Governor Prof. Asim Kumar Ghosh praised the arrangements made during last year’s International Gita Mahotsav and called for further improvements in transport, connectivity and visitor services.
He emphasised coordinated planning by the board and district administration to ensure convenient access to the festival grounds and a smoother experience for pilgrims and tourists.
The Governor and Chief Minister jointly launched the Digital Heritage App and Kurukshetra Sarathi Mobile App, aimed at strengthening access to heritage-related information and visitor services.
The Chief Minister directed the formation of a joint committee comprising the Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner and his Officer on Special Duty, B.B. Bharti, to audit and investigate pending development works and submit a report.
He said strict action would be taken against those found responsible for irregularities.
He further directed that development works be undertaken through the Kurukshetra Development Board rather than through separate departments, with progress reviewed at board meetings every three months.
Saini said Kurukshetra’s international recognition had grown through the Gita Mahotsav and stressed that integrated development, improved pilgrimage infrastructure and better visitor facilities would remain priorities.
Kurukshetra Development Board Member Secretary Dr Amit Agrawal presented the preparations and proposed arrangements for the festival at the meeting, attended by senior state officials, public representatives and board members, including MP Naveen Jindal, Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Maharaj and Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi.
UNI KK/NB RN
Tags: #West Bengal# Delhi to join International Gita Mahotsav as partner states; Haryana plans outreach to 182 sacred sites
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