Gita for the World
International Gita Mahotsav, Japan
"Strengthening Cultural Diplomacy through International Gita Mahotsav"
The Sacred Ground
Kurukshetra
Kurukshetra is renowned as the legendary battlefield of the Mahabharata, where Lord Krishna imparted the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna.
This profound moment in history elevates Kurukshetra to a sacred status, revered by millions of Hindus across the world as a symbol of spiritual truth, duty, and divine guidance.
Since 1989
International Gita Mahotsav (IGM)
IGM is a major spiritual, cultural, and philosophical festival celebrated annually in the holy city of Kurukshetra, Haryana. It commemorates the "birth" of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita — the day Lord Krishna delivered his celestial message to the warrior prince Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, just before the Mahabharata war.
While the Government of Haryana, in collaboration with the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB), has celebrated the Gita Jayanti festival locally since 1989, a major paradigm shift occurred in 2016, when the festival was upgraded to an International Mahotsav. In 2019, a visionary decision was made to look beyond India's borders — the Government of Haryana and India's Ministry of External Affairs began organising localised editions of IGM on foreign soil.
The Vision: to resonate the eternal and universal message of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita to every corner of the world — fostering spiritual and cultural enlightenment, and guiding humanity towards unity, virtue, and harmonious action.
From Kurukshetra to the World
The Journey, Chapter by Chapter
18 Colours of International Gita Mahotsav, Japan
Eighteen moments — echoing the eighteen chapters of the Gita itself — carried the message from the halls of Japan's parliament to riverbanks, universities, and the Kabuki stage.
Bhagavad Gita presented to the Chairman of the House of Councillors
A copy of the Gita was presented to His Excellency Mr. Masakazu Sekiguchi, Chairman of the House of Councillors — Japan's Upper House — with a parallel meeting held in the International Affairs Department with Mr. MORI Kokudo, Director General.
Bhagavad Gita presented to former Prime Minister of Japan
A copy of the sacred Bhagavad Gita was presented to former Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Yukio Hatoyama, who noted that the Gita's universal values of peace, compassion, duty, and harmony remain highly relevant in today's world.
Bhagavad Gita presented to senior leader Mr. Okuno Shinsuke
A meeting was held with Mr. Okuno Shinsuke, former Member of the House of Representatives from Nara Prefecture, focused on the Gita's relevance to contemporary social challenges — particularly among youth.
Bhagavad Gita presented at the LDP headquarters, Tokyo
The Gita was presented to Mr. Yasutoshi Nishimura, Cabinet Minister and senior leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, at the party's headquarters in Tokyo.
Bhagavad Gita presented to an MP in the House of Councillors
The Gita was presented to Mr. Yoshio Mochizuki, who facilitated its formal placement within the House of Councillors — the Upper House of Japan's parliament.
Bhagavad Gita presented to an MP in the House of Representatives
A member of the House of Representatives — the Lower House of Japan's parliament — supported the placement of the Gita within the House, extending the text's reach across both chambers of the Diet.
International Gita Seminar at the University of Tokyo
Held to promote academic dialogue on the Gita's relevance to global peace and wellbeing, and to build lasting academic engagement and student interest in Gita studies. The University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology published its own report of the seminar, noting that lecturers with traditional knowledge from India were joined by Japanese researchers specialising in Indian philosophy and religious thought, with roughly 450 attendees including Indian and Japanese students and researchers, alongside poster displays, music, dance performances, and an Indian lunch served on-site.
Cultural performances across IGM Japan events
A fusion of Indian classical and Japanese traditional art forms — from Bharatanatyam-style dance to taiko drumming and Yosakoi — brought both cultures onto the same stage throughout the week.
Exhibition on Kurukshetra & India–Japan cultural links
Forty panels showcased Kurukshetra's heritage alongside India–Japan cultural parallels — including Om, Saraswati, and Buddhist traditions — drawing attention and curiosity from Japanese students and visitors.
Global Online Gita Quiz
Run to widen digital outreach and public engagement with the Gita's teachings, with three winners announced daily on the website across all 14 days of the competition.
International Yoga Day celebration with Yog Mata Keiko Aikawa
More than a thousand Japanese citizens joined Yog Mata Keiko Aikawa to mark International Yoga Day, promoting yoga, meditation, and holistic wellbeing — with a video message from the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Haryana.
Gita Yajna at Funabori
Sacred Vedic rituals were performed at ISKCON Funabori, creating a spiritually charged atmosphere that set the tone for the events that followed.
Gita Sadbhavna Yatra — the Peace March
A public procession carried the message of peace, harmony, and devotion through the streets, drawing large-scale participation and visibly showcasing India–Japan cultural harmony.
Gita Aarti & global recitation at the Arakawa River
Prayers were offered for global peace and universal wellbeing in a historic collective gathering on the banks of the Arakawa River, deepening community engagement between the two nations.
Bhagavad Gita presentation at Osaka Prefectural Assembly
A dialogue with elected representatives and members of the Indo-Japan Friendship Forum expanded cultural cooperation opportunities between the two countries.
President & office bearers, Japan–India Friendship Association, Osaka Prefectural Assembly
| President | Mr. KIDA Kaoru |
| Deputy Head | Mr. KAKIMI Daishirou |
| Deputy Head | Mr. SHIKATA Matsuo |
| Secretary General | Mr. IRAHARA Tsutomu |
| Director | Ms. MIYOSHI Kaoru |
| Director | Mr. NISHIMOTO Souichi |
| Accounting Director | Ms. NONOUE Ai |
| Accounting Audit | Mr. YOSHIDA Tadanori |
| Advisor | Mr. MITA Katsuhisa |
Sister-city discussion with the Mayor of Higashi Osaka
A meeting with Mr. Yoshikazu Noda, Hon'ble Mayor of Higashi Osaka, explored municipal-level cultural and educational cooperation, including the potential for a sister-city MOU with Kurukshetra. Outcome: fruitful discussions on future city-level partnerships and exchanges.
Kabuki performance based on the Bhagavad Gita, Kyoto
A specially prepared, 45-minute performance by a traditional Japanese storytelling troupe presented Gita philosophy through the Kabuki art form — an attractive demonstration of genuine cultural fusion. A message from the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Haryana was played during the event.
Cultural exchange with the Vice-Chancellor, Otani University
Discussions with University President Kikoshi, Vice President Suzuki, and Professor Dash Shoba Rani explored academic collaboration in Gita studies and future research exchange. Otani University previously awarded an Honorary Doctorate to Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, and was visited by Rabindranath Tagore a century ago. Nalanda University holds an existing MOU with Otani for Buddhist studies research — Otani University published an account of the visit on its own website.
Also Along the Way
Felicitation of Japanese scholars & artists
Alongside the 18 colours, scholars and artists were formally recognised to expand access to Gita literature in Japan — strengthening scholarly networks and encouraging Japanese translations of the Gita.
By the Numbers
Global Online Gita Quiz
More than a thousand people took part internationally during the Japan Mahotsav's 14-day quiz window, expanding the initiative's global visibility alongside the wider worldwide Gita Quiz effort.
Worldwide Gita Quiz — Top Countries
| 1 | India | 99,803 |
| 2 | United States | 36,024 |
| 3 | Japan | 20,545 |
| 4 | France | 5,667 |
| 5 | United Kingdom | 3,873 |
IGM Japan Quiz — 14-Day Country Tally
| India | 739 |
| Japan | 231 |
| Unknown | 49 |
| USA | 11 |
| Thailand | 8 |
| Belgium | 3 |
| Bahamas | 2 |
| Singapore | 2 |
| Poland | 1 |
| Malaysia | 1 |
| UAE | 1 |
| Total | 1,048 |