Srimad Bhagavad Gita is one of the most sacred texts of the Hindus. Gita Jayanti marks the birthday of Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
On the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the moon Geeta Jayanti is celebrated) in the Hindu month of Margasirsha. It falls in November or December.
On this day, Lord Krishna imparted his philosophical teachings in Srimad Bhagavad Gita’s form to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. This post is about Geeta Jayanti and Gita Jayanti Date.
Table of Contents
The story behind Bhagavad Gita
Lord Krishna gave the sermon of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna just before the start of the Kurukshetra War. Here, we give you a brief history leading to this great event.
There were several attempts at reconciliation between the Kauravas and Pandavas. However, all these attempts failed, and the war became inevitable. Arjuna was the best friend and a sincere devotee of Lord Krishna. So, Lord Krishna decided to become his charioteer during the battle out of compassion and pure love.
Finally, the Kurukshetra War day came, and both the Kauravas and Pandavas’ armies gathered face to face.
Just when the battle was about to start, Arjuna asked Lord Krishna to take his chariot in the middle of the battlefield between both armies to look at the opposing armies.
Now, Arjuna saw his Grandfather Bhisma, who had raised him with great care and tenderness since childhood. He also saw his Guru Dronacharya, who had trained him in archery to become the greatest archer.
After seeing all this, Arjuna’s heart began to melt. He got into a commotion, and his body started to tremble. His mind got confused, and he could not perform his Kshatriya (warrior) duties. He felt weak and sickened, thinking that he has to kill his relatives at the battle.
Arjuna lost all his confidence and told Lord Krishna of his sudden change of heart. He turned to Krishna for his advice. Lord Krishna gave a sermon to Arjuna, elaborating on the truth of life and the philosophy of Karma.
The teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna are now known as the Bhagavad Gita, which is regarded as the world’s greatest scripture on Karma and Dharma’s philosophy.
Importance of Gita Jayanti
Gita Jayanti holds huge significance and importance as it celebrates Srimad Bhagavad Gita’s birthday, which is regarded as one of the most sacred scriptures of the Hindus.
In fact, Srimad Bhagavad Gita contains spiritual, philosophical, and psychological values. So, Gita Jayanti commemorates the sacred day when Lord Krishna imparted his spiritual teachings to Pandava prince Arjuna at the start of the Battle of Kurukshetra.
Where is the Geeta Jayanti celebrated?
Geeta Jayanti is celebrated with immense devotion and dedication by the Hindus. It is celebrated on a large scale in various parts of India and countries such as Malaysia and Singapore. It is widely celebrated in Lord Krishna temples throughout India.
For example, the grand celebrations of Gita Jayanti are organized at the temples of ISKCON across the world. Bhagavad Gita is recited, and offerings are made to Lord Krishna. Bhajans, Aartis, skits, and dances are also performed during this pious occasion.
Special celebrations also take place in Kurukshetra. Many devotees gather in Kurukshetra and take holy baths in sacred ponds such as Brahma Sarovar and Sannihit Sarovar.
Devotees celebrate the festival with Bhagavad Gita readings, dance performances, bhajans, skits, dramas, and Aartis. A fair is also organized, known as Gita Jayanti Samaroh, which lasts for seven days.
The government of Haryana organizes International Gita Mahotsava to mark the Gita Jayanti celebrations.
How is Gita Jayanti Celebrated?
Gita Jayanti is celebrated worldwide by all devotees of Lord Krishna. Every year, it is observed by the en-masse recitation of all 700 verses of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita that are chanted throughout the day.
Devotees usually keep a fast on this day since it an Ekadashi Day. Bhajans and Pooja ceremonies are also organized on this day.
Yogis and sannyasins give talks on Bhagavad Gita. Books containing the Bhagavad Gita’s essence are distributed to the public. Free copies of the Bhagavad Gita are also distributed on this day.
The city of Kurukshetra is the main place where the celebrations of Geeta Jayanti take place. It is the place where the famous epic battle of Mahabharata happened. It is the birthplace of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
Devotees from different parts of India gather in Kurukshetra to take a ritual bath in Brahma Sarovar and Sannihit Sarovar’s sacred ponds. A fair is also organized for a week. Devotees take part in prayer recitals, Gita chanting, bhajans, Aartis, and many other traditional activities.
Temples dedicated to Lord Krishna are specially decorated during this day, where puja ceremonies are performed with special prayers. Devotees read the Bhagavad Gita scripture and pay respect to Lord Krishna.
Gita Jayanti falls on Mokshada Ekadashi, so devotees keep a fast on this day. Fast is broken on Dwadashi by taking a ritual bath and performing Krishna Pooja. Devotees who keep fast daily do not consume any grains such as rice, wheat, or barley.
Devotees rise early in the morning on Geeta Jayanti day. They take a bath and wear fresh clothes. Now, they worship Lord Krishna and Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Usually, Tilak is applied with “roli,” and flowers are offered to Lord Krishna and Srimad Bhagavad Gita’s idol.
Sweets are also offered, and Aarti is sung with Dhoop and Deep. Verses from Srimad Bhagavad Gita are recited. Devotees distribute Bhagavad Gita copies to Brahmins.
Gita Aarti Lyrics
Gita Aarti is a prayer found in Srimad Bhagavad Gita, sung at the end of the puja ritual during Gita Jayanti celebrations. Here, we have listed out the Gita Aarti Lyrics for you:
जय भगवद् गीते, जय भगवद् गीते ।
हरि-हिय-कमल-विहारिणि सुन्दर सुपुनीते ॥
कर्म-सुमर्म-प्रकाशिनि कामासक्तिहरा ।
तत्त्वज्ञान-विकाशिनि विद्या ब्रह्म परा ॥ जय ॥
निश्चल-भक्ति-विधायिनि निर्मल मलहारी ।
शरण-सहस्य-प्रदायिनि सब विधि सुखकारी ॥ जय ॥
राग-द्वेष-विदारिणि कारिणि मोद सदा ।
भव-भय-हारिणि तारिणि परमानन्दप्रदा ॥ जय॥
आसुर-भाव-विनाशिनि नाशिनि तम रजनी ।
दैवी सद् गुणदायिनि हरि-रसिका सजनी ॥ जय ॥
समता, त्याग सिखावनि, हरि-मुख की बानी ।
सकल शास्त्र की स्वामिनी श्रुतियों की रानी ॥ जय ॥
दया-सुधा बरसावनि, मातु! कृपा कीजै ।
हरिपद-प्रेम दान कर अपनो कर लीजै ॥ जय ॥
Gita Jayanti Date 2024
Geeta Jayanti symbolizes the birth of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita Shastra. It is celebrated on the Shukla Ekadashi in the Hindu month of Margasirsha, which falls in November or December.
Gita Jayanti is widely celebrated across India, especially in the city of Kurukshetra, where the battle of Mahabharata took place.
Geeta Jayanti will be celebrated on 11th December 2024, Wednesday.
Gita Jayanti Timings:
Ekadashi Tithi Begins: 03:42 AM on 11th December 2024
Ekadashi Tithi Ends: at 01:09 AM on 12th December 2024
So, that’s all in this post on Gita Jayanti. We hope that you found the post useful.
