Kolkata’s Brigade Parade on the ground echoes with chants from the Bhagavad Gita; Details and images inside
The Bhagavad Gita is set in a narrative framework of dialogue between the Pandava prince Arjuna and his charioteer-guide Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Lokkho Kanthe Gita Path: West Bengal’s famous Brigade Parade Grounds, Kolkata, reverberated on Sunday as around a million people from different backgrounds collectively chanted holy verses from the Bhagavad Gita.
Saints recite Gita during ‘Lokkho Kanthe Gita Path’ or mass Gita recitation at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata on Sunday. (ANI photo)
The people, adorned in traditional attire, and hailing from different age groups and social status, gathered at the iconic location and recited the verses of the Bhagavad Gita along with revered sages.
Saints recite Gita during ‘Lokkho Kanthe Gita Path’ or mass Gita recitation at the Brigade parade ground in Kolkata on Sunday. (ANI photo)
“The Bhagavad Gita is India’s greatest gift to the world,” said BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar. Prominent figures from the Bengal BJP unit and the leadership of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were present and actively recited the verses. Organizers said about 120,000 people had registered to participate in the program.
Hindu devotees gather during ‘Lokkho Kanthe Gita Path’ or mass Gita recitation at the Brigade parade ground in Kolkata on Sunday. (ANI photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes for the ‘Lokkhe Konthe Gita Path’ event and expressed his belief that recitation of Bhagavad Gita by a huge gathering from diverse backgrounds will not only enhance social harmony but also energize to the country’s development journey.
Message from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the ‘Lokkho Kanthe Gita Path’ program to be organized at Parade Ground in Kolkata.
The message reads: “…The initiative aimed at reciting the Gita by one lakh people is truly commendable….” pic.twitter.com/k86CNz5YZR
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2023
Earlier, it was announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would attend the “Ek Lakh Gita Path” programme, but Majumdar said on December 20 that the Prime Minister will not attend the event.
Swami Sadanand Saraswati of Dwarka Math during ‘Lakha Kanthe Gita Path’ or mass Gita recitation at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata on Sunday. (ANI photo)
“We invited PM Modi. However, yesterday he informed me that he regrets that he cannot participate in the event due to previous official commitments. Nevertheless, he has sent his best wishes,” Majumdar told PTI.
Women devotees blow conch shells during ‘Lokkho Kanthe Gita Path’ or mass Gita recitation at the Brigade’s parade ground in Calcutta on Sunday. (ANI photo)
The event is a joint effort of various religious groups, who maintain an apolitical stance, as highlighted by Majumdar. “This event has nothing to do with the BJP; we are not the organisers,” Majumdar added.
Earlier, on December 10, a similar event took place in Hooghly district where more than 2,000 people took part in chanting Bhagavad Gita. The event, organized by the Mahesh Lord Jagannath Development Trust, was attended by TMC MP Kalyan Bandopadhyay and West Bengal Panchayat Minister Pradip Majumdar.
The Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita in English can be roughly translated as ‘The Song By God’ and is often referred to as the Gita. It is a Hindu scripture of 700 verses, which is part of the epic Mahabharata. It forms Chapters 23–40 of Book 6 of the Mahabharata, the Bhishma Parva.
The Bhagavad Gita is set in a narrative framework of dialogue between the Pandava prince Arjuna and his charioteer-guide Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu.
(With PTI inputs)