Gujarat to Celebrate World Sanskrit Day with Gaurav Yatra, Sambhashan Divas, Sahitya Divas

Gandhinagar: A beautiful verse describes Sanskrit as: अमृतं संस्कृतं मित्रं, सरसं सरलं वचः । एकता-मूलकं राष्ट्रं, ज्ञान-विज्ञान-पोषकम् (Amritam Sanskritam Mitram, Sarsam Saralam Vachah; Ekta-Moolakam Rashtram, Gyan-Vigyan-Poshakam). This means that Sanskrit is known for its elegance and clarity, and its profound ideas and literature enrich knowledge, advance science, and foster national unity.

Every year, Sanskrit Day is celebrated on the full moon day of the Shravan month, which also marks Raksha Bandhan. Sanskrit Week is also observed across the country to promote the language. This year, World Sanskrit Day falls on August 9, while Sanskrit Week will be celebrated from August 6 to 12, 2025. In Gujarat, the state government will organise a special three-day celebration to mark the occasion, an official statement said today.

Sanskrit Day was first celebrated in 1969 through a joint effort by the Government of India and Sanskrit institutions. The objective is to promote Sanskrit, highlight its cultural and intellectual value, and encourage the younger generation to connect with this ancient language. Aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, the Gujarat State Sanskrit Board will organise a three-day celebration from August 6 to 8, 2025. The events include Sanskrit Gaurav Yatra on the first day, Sanskrit Sambhashan Divas on the second, and Sanskrit Sahitya Divas on the third.

The Sanskrit Gaurav Yatra will be held at district and state levels with participation from students, teachers, scholars, poets, writers, and educational institutions. The yatra will showcase Sanskrit’s literary and knowledge heritage through exhibitions, slogans, and songs. On the second day, Sanskrit Sambhashan Divas, dignitaries including the Chief Minister, ministers, and officials at state and district levels will convey their messages in Sanskrit. The final day, Sanskrit Sahitya Divas, will honour the legacy of Sanskrit literature, with events such as Ved Puja, Vyas Puja, Rishi Puja, Acharya Puja, lectures, and literary programs held statewide.

For the holistic development and promotion of Sanskrit in Gujarat, the Gujarat State Sanskrit Board has implemented five schemes under the ‘Yojana Panchakam’ framework:

1. Sanskrit Saptahotsav Yojana: Statewide celebration of Sanskrit Day and Sanskrit Week.

2. Sanskrit Samvardhan Sahayata Yojana: Financial aid for institutions, researchers, and teachers to conduct Sanskrit programs and promote the language.

3. Sanskrit Protsahan Yojana: Encouraging Sanskrit learning among students, teachers, and secondary schools.

4. Shrimad Bhagwat Gita Yojana: Inspiring people of all age groups to reflect on life through the teachings of the Gita and memorise its verses.

5. Shat Subhashit Kanthpath Yojana: Promoting the memorisation of 100 Subhashits to instil moral values.

‘Yojana Panchakam’, launched by the Gujarat State Sanskrit Board, aims to preserve the Sanskrit language, expand its reach, and strengthen the bond between future generations and the country’s cultural heritage.

Sanskrit Day is celebrated on Shravan Purnima, a day that traditionally marked the beginning of the academic year in ancient India. Students would begin their study of scriptures on this day, and even today, the recitation of the ‘Ved’ often begins on Shravan Purnima. It stands as a symbol of India’s rich tradition of sages and Vedic knowledge. Sanskrit Day and Sanskrit Week continue to hold a special place in India’s cultural heritage.