The below article appeared in News India Times. Aug 24.
Thousands recite the Gita in Texas setting Guinness Record, Modi sends greetings
The writer reported that for the first time ever, in a historic Gita Sahasragala Mahayagna event, over 1,500 memorizers and 700-plus fluent readers from different parts of the world, recited the 700-plus sacred verses of the Bhagavad Gita at the Allen Event Center in Texas.
Participants from around the world including Trinidad and Guyana recited the Bhagavad Gita on August 13th at the Allen Event Center in Texas. PHOTO: T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman, News India Times.
The report stated that tge event, which was organized by the SGS Gita Foundation in coordination with the Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple of Frisco, and Avadhoota Datta Peetham of Mysore, sets a new Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous Hindu text recital in a single location.
Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji receiving the Guinness World Records certificate from Adjudicator Mike Marcotte on August 13th at the Allen Event Center in Texas. All PHOTOs: T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman, News India Times.
Over the last seven years, in seven batches, around 3,000 students, of all ages have completed the Mahayagna journey of memorizing the entire Bhagavad Gita. The youngest memorizer was 3 years old when he started the program, and the oldest student completed the program when she was 80.
After the event, Sri Swamiji told News India Times, he was extremely happy that over 2000 people recited the sacred Bhagavad Gita in one place. “I felt the presence of Lord Krishna himself during the Sahasragala event. I am hoping there will be a similar event in India soon”.
Report Written By T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman