Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to participate in the grand 'Maha Aarti' ceremony at the International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra on November 25, 2025, marking a significant highlight of the ongoing spiritual festival. The event gains additional importance as it coincides with the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Ministerial Participation and Schedule
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the Haryana pavilion at the International Gita Mahotsav on November 24, a day before the Prime Minister's participation. The festival, which began on November 15, has been attracting devotees from across the country and internationally.
Prime Minister Modi's schedule includes first attending a ceremony at Jyotisar organized specifically to honor the 350th martyrdom day of Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur. This ceremony holds profound religious significance for millions of followers across India.
Call for Gazetted Holiday
Haryana's Energy Minister Anil Vij has formally requested Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to declare November 25 as a gazetted holiday to properly mark Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom day. In his official communication, Vij emphasized that "the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur serves as an invaluable inspiration for all humanity" and noted that the spiritual leader is revered as "Hind ki Chadar" for his sacrifice in protecting faith, human rights, and truth.
The minister argued that a restricted holiday would be insufficient given the massive public interest in participating in the observances. He highlighted that the 350th martyrdom anniversary carries immense religious, historical, and social significance, warranting special recognition through a gazetted holiday.
Grand Preparations and Global Reach
The government has made elaborate arrangements to accommodate the expected large gatherings. A massive pandal covering 155 acres has been constructed at Jyotisar, with officials anticipating approximately 1.5 lakh devotees from across Haryana alone.
According to a government spokesperson, every major intersection in Kurukshetra is being developed based on Mahabharata themes, and illumination work is underway to decorate all city temples with decorative lights. A comprehensive cleanliness drive is also being conducted throughout the city to ensure the festival remains memorable.
The International Gita Mahotsav has expanded its global footprint this year, with celebrations being organized in 50 countries through cooperation with the Ministry of External Affairs. Madhya Pradesh has been included as the partner state for this year's festivities, while a three-day International Gita Seminar will be inaugurated at Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Sadan, Kurukshetra University on November 24.
The convergence of spiritual observances, political participation, and international recognition makes this year's International Gita Mahotsav particularly significant, blending religious devotion with cultural celebration on an unprecedented scale.
