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Chandigarh, Nov 3 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in a state-level program to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day of Hind ki Chadar, Guru Teg Bahadur, in Kurukshetra on November 25.
On the same day, the Prime Minister will also participate in the International Geeta Mahotsav, the 10th edition of which will also be held in Kurukshetra from November 15 to December 5.
For the first time this festival will last for 21 days.
The Chief Minister told the media here that Geeta Mahotsav will present a unique confluence of culture, knowledge and spirituality.
He said that Dharmakshetra-Kurukshetra is spread over a radius of 48 kilometers and is home to many pilgrimage sites.
Kurukshetra Development Board has identified 182 such sites.
Highlighting the growing global appeal of the Mahotsav, Chief Minister Saini said that Geeta Mahotsav has already been celebrated in Mauritius, London, Canada, Australia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
The number of devotees from India and abroad attending the festival in Kurukshetra, the birthplace of the Bhagavad Gita, is increasing every year, leading to extensive preparations every year.
This time Madhya Pradesh will be the partner state.
Famous for its rich religious and spiritual heritage, the participation of Madhya Pradesh as the partner state has significantly enhanced the significance of the festival.
A special cultural pavilion of Madhya Pradesh is being built at Purushottam Pura Bagh, near Brahma Sarovar, which will provide visitors an immersive experience of the diverse traditions of the state.
The Chief Minister said that the Geeta Mahotsav will be formally inaugurated on November 24 with a Geeta Yagya and puja ceremony on the banks of Brahma Sarovar.
A three-day International Geeta Seminar will also be inaugurated at Kurukshetra University.
Additionally, 25 scholars from 16 countries will participate in the seminar in collaboration with the Union Ministry of External Affairs.
Chief Minister Saini said that Geeta Mahotsav programs will be organized in 51 countries and telecast live through the Ministry of External Affairs.
20 priests from Fiji and Trinidad and Tobago will visit Kurukshetra for two days to participate in the programmes.
The Chief Minister said that the Information and Public Relations Department will operate a YouTube channel during the festival.
Devotees will be encouraged to share their experiences and thoughts on their favorite verses from the Bhagavad Gita, describing how these teachings have impacted their lives.
The most viewed video clip during the closing ceremony of the festival will be given a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.
Chief Minister Saini said that a grand Geeta Maha Aarti will be organized on the banks of Brahmasarovar from November 15 to December 5.
Cultural programs will also be organized at various pilgrimage sites in the 48 Kos Kurukshetra area from November 25 to December 1.
On December 1, a Gita Yagya, Gita Path and Bhagwat Katha will take place at the Jyotisar Tiratha.
On the same day, there will be a global recitation of Gita by 18,000 students at the theme park, which will be joined by millions of devotees and Gita lovers online from India and abroad.
The Chief Minister said that 48 Kos Teerth Sammelan will be organized in the auditorium of Kurukshetra University, in which representatives of all 182 Teerth Committees will participate.
On December 1, a grand Deepotsav will be celebrated with Geeta Shobha Yatra simultaneously at all 182 pilgrimage sites.
Like previous years, Geeta Book Fair will be organized at Brahmasarovar from 24th November to 1st December.
Along with this, exhibition on public welfare schemes, craft fair, entertainment fair and traditional Balram wrestling dance will also be organized.
–IANS
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