Gita Jayanti 2026: Date, Meaning and How to Celebrate at Home

When is Gita Jayanti 2026?

Gita Jayanti 2026 is on Saturday, December 19, 2026 in the US (Drik Panchang, New York) and on Sunday, December 20, 2026 in India (ISKCON Bangalore). It falls on Mokshada Ekadashi, the Ekadashi of the bright half of Margashirsha.

Where	Gita Jayanti 2026
US (New York)	Saturday, December 19
India	Sunday, December 20

What is Gita Jayanti?

Gita Jayanti, "the birthday of the Gita", marks the day on which Krishna taught Arjuna the Bhagavad Gita on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Bhagavad Gita literally means "the song of the Supreme Lord". In 700 verses across 18 chapters, Krishna answers Arjuna's despair with teachings on duty, the self, devotion and freedom. See the 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita.

How to celebrate Gita Jayanti at home

Read the Gita. Many families read the whole Gita on this day; one chapter is enough. Start reading the Bhagavad Gita.
Chant one verse. Learn a single verse by heart, such as Bhagavad Gita 2.47.
Light a diya before Krishna.
Give the Gita. Giving a copy of the Gita is a traditional gift on this day.
Fast if you keep Ekadashi: Gita Jayanti falls on Mokshada Ekadashi, the day before Vaikuntha Ekadashi in the US in 2026.

Diya lets you read a verse of the Bhagavad Gita each day with its meaning in plain English. Diya is available for iPhone. See the Diya app.

Questions people ask

When is Gita Jayanti in 2026?

Saturday, December 19, 2026 in the US (Drik Panchang, New York) and Sunday, December 20, 2026 in India (ISKCON Bangalore).

What is celebrated on Gita Jayanti?

The day Krishna spoke the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna at Kurukshetra, before the great war of the Mahabharata.

How do you celebrate Gita Jayanti at home?

Read or listen to the Gita, a chapter or the whole text, chant a favorite verse such as 2.47, light a diya before Krishna, and give a copy of the Gita to someone.