Chandigarh: The Japan edition of the International Gita Mahotsav concluded with a grand closing ceremony in the historic city of Kyoto, Japan, amid immense spiritual enthusiasm and cultural harmony. The event reiterated the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and placed special emphasis on the universal message of global peace, mutual brotherhood and selfless action.
As part of the celebrations, a prestigious academic seminar was organized at the University of Tokyo, while a grand Gita Harmony Procession was taken out on the streets of Edogawa, bringing together thousands of members of the Indian diaspora and the Japanese community.
Copies of the sacred Bhagavad Gita were presented at the Osaka Prefectural Assembly. The Assembly comprises 50 legislators, and notably, 49 of them are members of a distinguished organization known as the Indo-Japan Friendship Forum. A delegation from the Kurukshetra Development Board, led by Swami Gyananand Maharaj and Dr. Amit Agrawal, Commissioner and Secretary, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, and Member Secretary, Kurukshetra Development Board, presented copies of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita to nine representative legislators. Discussions were also held on various aspects of Indian and Japanese culture, focusing on how the two nations, sharing similar values, culture, and traditions, can work together more closely.
Present at the Osaka Prefectural Assembly were Swami Gyananand Maharaj, Consul General of India Dr. Abdul Sami, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Honorary Secretary Upendra Singhal, Authority Member Vijay Narula, and dedicated members of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh.
Thereafter, a distinguished delegation met with Higashi-Osaka Mayor Junzo Nagao at his office. The delegation included MLA Satpal Jambaji, Panchkula Mayor Shyamlal Bansal, Ramita Agrawal, and representatives of the Kurukshetra Development Board. Discussions focused on cultural exchange opportunities between Kyoto, regarded as the cultural capital of Japan, and Kurukshetra, the cultural capital of Haryana.
Later in the day, a traditional Kabuki performance based on the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita was staged in Japanese at Gion Corner, a renowned cultural complex in Kyoto. The performance beautifully presented the essence of the Gita in the Japanese language.
A special video message from Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was screened during the event. Appreciating the successful organization of the Mahotsav, he said that such events further strengthen international and cultural relations between India and Japan.
Gita scholar and founder of the Global Gita Forum, Swami Gyananand Maharaj, said in his address that the Gita is not confined to any one religion or region but serves as a practical guide for all humanity to lead a peaceful and righteous life.
Swami Gurusharananand Maharaj, while blessing the gathering, said that the ancient wisdom of the Gita serves as a strong bridge connecting the deep spiritual heritages of India and Japan.
Dr. Amit Agrawal highlighted the global relevance of the philosophy of the Gita in contemporary times. He explained how the Gita’s teachings of selfless action and ethical conduct can guide the world in addressing modern challenges.
One of the major attractions of the closing ceremony was a remarkable cross-cultural presentation by the renowned Otani Group through a special traditional Japanese Kabuki performance. Keizo Otani and Ryusei Otani captivated the international audience with their outstanding performances. The presentation reflected the deep cultural ties and mutual respect shared by India and Japan.
The grand and spiritually enriching event, organized by the Indian Embassy, marked the formal conclusion of the International Gita Mahotsav in Japan. Under the guidance of Swami Gyananand Maharaj, the delegation of the Kurukshetra Development Board also met the Vice-Chancellor of Otani University to discuss research on the Gita and cultural exchange programmes between the two countries. Copies of the Gita were also presented to the university. ISKCON contributed significantly to spreading the divine message of the Gita among the masses.
The successful conclusion of the International Gita Mahotsav in Kyoto marks another milestone in taking the eternal message of Kurukshetra to the global stage. The event has left an enduring impression of peace, awareness, and unbreakable brotherhood in the Land of the Rising Sun.
