On November 29, 2025, Moscow hosted a landmark event, the Gita Mahotsav Festival, organized by the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Center at the Indian Embassy in Russia, the Moscow Society for Krishna Consciousness, the Center for Indian Culture and the Bhagavad Gita International Institute. The inspiration was the famous International Festival “Gita Mahotsav”, which takes place annually in Kurukshetra, Haryana, in India.
This amazing celebration of immersion in tradition, discussion and interpretation of the sacred text, philosophical, ethical and aesthetic analysis of the ancient holy scriptures — the Bhagavad Gita — attracted not only venerable Orientalists, Indologists and Sanskrit scholars, but also practitioners of various branches of Hinduism, guests of different generations, including from the student community.
In short, all those who are sincerely interested in spirituality, yoga, Indian philosophy and the search for the meaning of life. A genuine understanding of the essence of the sacred text always presupposes dialogue and the ability to listen and hear the interlocutor. The Bhagavad Gita is a dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna, and at the same time an invitation to the mystery, to the territory of spiritual revelation.
His Excellency Mr. Vinay Kumar, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to Russia, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.
Alexey Alexandrovich Grushetsky, President of the Center for Krishna Consciousness Societies in Russia, took part in the ceremony.
Sanjeet Kumar Jha, Chairman of the Moscow Society for Krishna Consciousness, and Mrs. Madhurkankana Roy, Director of the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Center at the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation, also addressed the guests with welcoming remarks.
According to the organizers, the Gita Mahotsav festival included a vibrant spiritual and educational part, held at the Krishna Temple at 19A Kuusinen Street, and an academic part, which was held in the conference hall.
Thus, all participants of the festival were able to touch the understanding of the essence of the ancient sacred text, which is rightfully called the pearl of the epic “Mahabharata”, the essence of the Vedas, rightfully included in the spiritual treasury of mankind.
Authoritative experts and young researchers spoke at the philosophical and cultural conference on the content and significance of the Bhagavad Gita, including Sergey Dmitrievich Serebryany, an outstanding Russian indologist, an expert in Indian literature and culture, and the history of philosophy; Sudha Rani Gupta, Director General of the Interregional Public Organization Center for Spiritual Development, senior lecturer Brahma Kumaris University; Maxim Borisovich Demchenko is an associate professor at Moscow State Linguistic University, a teacher of Hindi, translator and author of numerous books and publications, as well as many other honorary experts and speakers.
The conference was moderated by Dr. Sergey Dvorianov, philosopher and publicist, Vice-President of the BRICS Cultural Media Forum (BCMF).
The day ended with a wonderful concert in the Great Hall.
The Gita Mahotsav Festival has become an important spiritual and cultural event for Russia and India, especially relevant ahead of Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin’s visit to India and meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This event symbolized the dialogue of traditions and the tradition of dialogue between the two peoples and countries, with The Times of Russia recognizing its deep cultural and philosophical value.
