Chandigarh, Jun 19 (PTI) A five-day International Gita Mahotsav is being held in Japan’s capital Tokyo from Friday.
The event will emerge as a significant milestone in promoting India’s eternal cultural heritage and the universal message of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita on the global stage, an official statement said on Friday.
The International Gita Mahotsav (IGM)-2026 is being held in Japan from June 19 to June 23. The event commenced with the presentation of copies of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita to members of Japan’s National Parliament (Diet), leading political figures, scholars and supporters of India-Japan friendship in connection with the festival’s international edition being held in the country this year.
It made the event a vibrant symbol of the growing cultural, spiritual and humanitarian ties between India and Japan, the statement said.
A copy of the Gita was presented to Yasutoshi Nishimura, senior leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), at the inauguration of the IGM-2026.
Copies of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita were also presented to Yoshio Mochizuki, who played a key role in establishing the Gita in Japan’s House of Councillors (Upper House), and Atlantic Flat, who supported its establishment in the House of Representatives (Lower House), in recognition of their contributions, the statement said.
Renowned scholar and spiritual leader Swami Gyananand Maharaj delivered a detailed exposition on the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita.
A symposium organised on the occasion featured meaningful discussions on the global relevance of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, the role of spiritual values in world peace and human welfare, and ways to further strengthen India-Japan friendship.
Addressing the gathering, Swami Gyananand said the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is a timeless guide to life management for all humanity.
It inspires individuals to embrace duty, self-discipline, leadership, moral values and a balanced way of life.
He said that in the present global environment, marked by increasing stress, competition and conflict, the teachings of the Gita offer an effective path to peace, self-confidence and inner balance.
Responding to a question from Japanese parliamentarian Yoshio Mochizuki regarding ways to cope with growing workload and stress in modern life, Swami Gyananand explained the spiritual and practical significance of three important verses from the Bhagavad Gita. He emphasised that the Gita’s message of selfless action, equanimity and self-restraint remains as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago.
He further said that cultural, economic and spiritual relations between India and Japan are continuously reaching new heights.
Swami Gyananand expressed confidence that the message of the Gita would further strengthen the bridge of spiritual and human values connecting the two nations.
Kurukshetra Development Board Member Secretary Amit Kumar Agrawal said that the International Gita Mahotsav has today become a global symbol of India’s cultural identity. There has been a significant rise worldwide in interest toward Gita studies, research, cultural dialogue and Indian philosophy through this platform.
New opportunities for academic research, translation projects and cultural collaboration based on the Gita have emerged in Japan and several other countries, he said.
Agrawal also noted that Japan is an important investment partner for Haryana, and the state government is actively encouraging Japanese investments in manufacturing, automobiles, technology, logistics, innovation and advanced industries. As a result, economic and industrial cooperation between the two sides continues to strengthen, he added.
Kurukshetra Development Board Honorary Secretary Upender Singhal said that the International Gita Mahotsav has evolved into a global cultural movement since its inception in 2016. The Haryana government has successfully organised International Gita Mahotsav events since 2019 in several countries, including Mauritius, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
He said the message of the Gita is reaching every corner of the world with the support of the Ministry of External Affairs, the government of India and Indian Missions abroad. Notably, Indian Missions organised Gita-based programmes in 53 countries last year. PTI SUN KSS KSS KSS
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