Report on the Gita Festival at Ramakrishna Math, Dhaka

Marking the glory of Lord Sri Krishna and Srimad Bhagavad Gita, a festival, termed the ‘Gita Festival’, has been held at Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission, Dhaka,
with great spiritual fervour and enthusiasm, on 14 & 21 November, 2025, with a commitment of financial assistance of the High Commission of India in Bangladesh.
Every year, Dhaka Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission observes the Birth Anniversary of Lord Sri Krishna i.e. Janmashtami with due solemnity usually for one day
only. It is the first time in the history of the Ramakrishna Order in Bangladesh an exceptional and extensive program was held emphasizing the glory of Lord Sri Krishna
and Srimad Bhagavad Gita.

On 14 November 2025 Gita Chanting, Quiz and speech competition on Sri Krishna & Srimad Bhagavad Gita was held among the children and youths from class one to honours class, categorizing the classes in different groups i.e. Gr. A (class 1-3), Gr. B (4-6), etc.. The competition was inaugurated by Swami Purnatmananda, Adhyaksha & Secretary and the Spiritual Head of the Ramakrishna Order in Bangladesh by lighting lamp followed by his benedictory address. Six teachers of Sanskrit Department of Dhaka University viz. Prof Dr. Asim Sarker, Prof. Dr. Mayna Talukder, Prof Dr. Malabika Biswas, Dr. Pramatha Mistry, Titas Kumar Shil and Rathindra Sarker discharged the duties as judges in Gita Chanting Competition, while Prof. Dr. Sitesh Chandra Bachar, Dept of Pharmacy & former Pro V.C, Dhaka University and Prof. Dr. Chandranath Podder, former head of the Dept of Mathematics, Dhaka University served as judges in speech Competition. Quiz competition was in written MCQ type.

A total of 325 students in different events took part in the competitions. Tiffin packets were served to the competitors.

Inaugural program was attended by 1000 people including teachers, students,guardians and devotees. Khichudi in packets was served to the attending audience (1000) after the competitions. 21 November 2025 was marked by Special Puja, Homa and whole Srimad Bhagavad Gita Chanting in the morning at Sri Sri Thakur Mandir, cultural program with the participation by the children artistes in the afternoon and discussion meeting in the evening at the Swami Aksharananda auditorium of the center.
The Evening Program was inaugurated by Mr. Pranay Verma, High Commissioner of India in Bangladesh by lighting lamp and simultaneously Vedic chanting was performed by the Sadhus and Brahmacharins. The inaugural event was followed by Srimad Bhagavad Gita Chanting by one of the winners of the competition and speech (on ‘Srimad Bhagavad Gita in Daily Life’) by another winner.

Presided over by Swami Purnatmananda, Adhyaksha & Secretary, Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission, Dhaka, the discussion meeting titled ‘Srimad Bhagavad Gita and Harmony’ was addressed by Mr. Pranay Verma, the High Commissioner of India in Bangladesh as the Chief Guest, Prof Niranjan Adhikary, Honorary Professor of Sanskrit Dhaka university and Prof. Dr. Asim Sarker, Dept of Sanskrit, Dhaka University as the special guests. The discussion meeting was followed by prize distribution among the
winners of the competition. Crest as 1st prize, printed (with the motif of Gita Festival) mug as 2nd prize and geometry box as third prize were given to the winners. In addition, a copy of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, a medal engraved with the motif of the Gita Festival and a certificate of achievement were given to the all winners. In the discussion meeting the inaugural speech was delivered by Swami Devadhyanananda & vote of thanks was given by Swami Haridasananda, both attached to Dhaka Center.