Gita Jayanti 1948

On the Shukla Ekadashi of Margashirsha, which is also Mokshada Ekadashi, usually in November–December. It marks the day the Bhagavad Gita was spoken at Kurukshetra. This year's date is shown above.

The 'birth' of the Bhagavad Gita — the day Krishna spoke its seven hundred verses to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It is the rare festival that celebrates a text and the entry of a teaching into the world.

By worshipping and reading the Gita — ideally all eighteen chapters — reflecting on its counsel, worshipping Krishna the charioteer, and keeping the Mokshada Ekadashi fast. Gifting the Gita (Gita-daan) is held especially meritorious.

The Ekadashi that coincides with Gita Jayanti, 'the giver of moksha', kept as a Vishnu fast whose merit is said to liberate one's ancestors. The two observances share the same day.