G ita Mela is an event organised by ISKCON Mayapur dedicated solely for interacting with the tourists. A winter festival that is held from December to January pays close attention to the guests by giving them valuable association of the devotees and showing them the importance of Bhagavad Gita.
Also called the big ‘fair’ of knowledge, the guests are allowed inside the Gita Mela Campus to see the big dioramas exposing Srimad Bhagavad Gita’s main teachings, they attend the question and answer session, buy Spiritual books from the store, get to know the BBT, watch a video presentation about ISKCON around the world, have japa session and kids play area in the gaming section.
As you walk through, the stage lures your attention towards calibre performances given by devotees of ISKCON and entertainment throughout the day. Book stalls and dioramas co exist on two opposite sides of the premises. On one side, a sankirtan gift shop, a separate book stall, a Gita study course, and a harinam japa counter to engage you, while the other side display a youth forum, a kids’ corner, a Gita slide show, a Gita expo, and a quite popular this year, a face drawing booth. All different approaches constantly engaged in harmony working towards achieving one goal spreading Krishna Consciousness.
The marketplace of the Holy Name also had dioramas featuring important lessons given by Lord Krishna, illuminating the darkness of the ignorant in the process. The lessons included quotes from the scriptures of Srimad BG chapters – 4.1, 7.62, 2.22, 6.38.
Further in facilitated a food court which was always populous. Food items included Chow mein, puri sabji, cakes, sweet rice,pithas, pakora, soya manchurian,momos,rolls and ice cream.
An other objective was to distribute Bhagavad Gita, the devotees were constantly engaged in preaching for the duration of this event, whether by foot reaching out to them or in stalls. A preacher on foot would distribute 20-25 big books on a good day and 10-15 on other days. All stalls included would deliver around 100-120 Gitas and 50-80 small books per day.
It was the desire of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami that manifested for his pleasure. He wanted to give attention to the guests,by giving them association. He didn’t like when the guests came to the temple and did not have any correspondence with the devotees.
A desire to a hugely successful event, the Gita Mela grows every year. The occasion attends and engages the guests of ISKCON Mayapur for 15 days, and for 10 hours potentially changing their lives and attracting thousands more every day.
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