Olympiad participants in front of ISKCON Kurukshetra.

ISKCON Kurukshetra, in collaboration with the Kurukshetra Development Board and Kurukshetra University, organized its second International Gita Olympiad Workshop in Kurukshetra. The event drew students from across the country, with over 100 participants and 25 dedicated volunteers contributing to its success.

Mohan Gaurchandra Das, Director of the International Gita Olympiad, said, “The Gita Olympiad Workshop emerged from a vision to create an academic and experiential program around the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, inspired by well-established competitions like the Mathematics and Science Olympiads. This initiative aimed to bring recognition and reverence to the teachings of the Gita by situating it within the academic world and providing young people with a profound spiritual learning experience. Given Kurukshetra’s historical significance as the birthplace of the Bhagavad Gita, ISKCON, Kurukshetra University (KUK), and the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in 2024 to turn this vision into reality, striving to make the International Gita Olympiad an event of global importance.”

The workshop marked the culmination of the entire Gita Olympiad program, offering students a firsthand experience of what it means to “live the Gita’s Way of Life.” Aimed specifically at college and university students, the program was designed to reach young minds and foster well-being through spiritual knowledge. The primary goal was to help participants understand the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings in a way that would have a lasting impact on their personal development, moral values, and spiritual growth.

Organizing an event of this scale, however, came with its own set of challenges. A program of this magnitude required coordination across multiple cities in Haryana, necessitating a large team of dedicated devotees who contributed to its execution. The support from local volunteers, along with committed efforts from team members, helped overcome these logistical hurdles, allowing the program to reach various educational institutions across the region.

The collaboration with Kurukshetra Development Board and Kurukshetra University significantly elevated the program. “This partnership made the Olympiad an official event, which led Kurukshetra University to promote it actively among the state’s colleges and universities. Kurukshetra University not only endorsed the event but also hosted a structured six-session course on the Gita at its campus and other affiliated institutions, creating a unique opportunity for students to learn about this ancient scripture in an academic setting,” said Sakshi Gopal Das, President, ISKCON Kurukshetra

The Kurukshetra Development Board’s involvement further enriched the experience by arranging free accommodations for all workshop participants and complimentary access to cultural attractions like the museum and the Gita show.

The workshop’s impact extended beyond the participants, creating a ripple effect that reached the larger academic community. By teaching the principles of the Gita, the Olympiad introduced spiritual education into educational circles, fostering a supportive environment for Gita studies in academia. The teachings provided valuable insights that not only broadened the young participants’ perspectives but also encouraged them to incorporate these values into their everyday lives. As a result, the program succeeded in planting the seeds of spiritual wisdom within the minds of a new generation, contributing to a broader appreciation of the Bhagavad Gita’s timeless teachings.

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