Kolkata: A massive Bhagavad Gita chanting event drew lakhs of devotees, including monks and spiritual followers from across West Bengal and neighbouring states, to the iconic Brigade Parade Ground on Sunday. Organisers said sadhus and sadhvis dressed in saffron robes recited verses from the scripture in unison, creating a landmark spiritual spectacle in the heart of Kolkata.
Senior leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party, including former state president Sukanta Majumdar, ex-MP Locket Chatterjee and MLA Agnimitra Paul, attended the gathering. Prominent religious figures such as Swami Pradiptananda Maharaj, popularly known as Kartik Maharaj, and preacher Dhirendra Shastri were also present.
The programme, titled Panch Lakkho Konthe Gita Path—a collective recital aimed at mobilising five lakh voices—was organised by the Sanatan Sanskriti Sansad, a body of monks and spiritual leaders associated with various Hindu institutions. Speaking at the event, Agnimitra Paul said the Gita’s teachings belonged to all 140 crore Indians, not just one community.
Organisers noted that the initiative sought to highlight Bengal’s spiritual traditions and foster harmony through collective chanting. Kartik Maharaj said spiritual practice offers calm and clarity at a time of widespread social division. Thousands of participants from across districts had already pledged their presence ahead of the event.
Authorities made extensive arrangements for crowd control, security, and medical response, anticipating a turnout of five lakh people. Three large stages were set up across the venue, and security was tightened throughout central Kolkata.
The spiritual leadership for the event is being led by Swami Gyananandaji Maharaj of the Geeta Manishi Mahamandal. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and several senior monks were also invited to take part in the ceremony.
The programme comes a day after suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir laid the foundation stone for a ‘Babri Masjid-style’ mosque in Murshidabad—an event that has added to the ongoing debate on faith and identity in West Bengal ahead of next year’s assembly elections.
This is the second large-scale Gita recital at Brigade Parade Ground in two years. A similar “one lakh voices” programme was held in December 2023 before the Lok Sabha elections, sparking political tensions as the ruling TMC accused the BJP of using religious events for political messaging.
