Event Details
Date & Time: Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 10:00 AM ET
Venue: Chinmaya Niketan, 5511 Williams Rd, Norcross, GA 30093
Registration
Any student who wishes to participate in the state event must register.
Register here: Gita Fest Sign Up
* Lunch is included in the registration fees for participants.
** Lunch will be available for purchase for others.
Contact Information
For any questions, please feel free to reach out to
Harsha Reddy: 404-775-9469
Ashwin Anandagiri: 678-896-5460
Rupa Raman: 404-834-4302
Anu Nathan: 770-401-9366
Competition Categories
- Chant Gita Competition
- Learn Gita Competition – 3 events (Vocabulary Quiz, Gita Talks, Gita Krida)
Note
One registration @ $25 covers participation for both Chant Gita and Learn Gita. However, do not select an event your child does not qualify for. Only eligible participants will be allowed to take part in each event. Please refer to the Eligibility section for each event before registering and select only the events your child is eligible for.
Chant Gita Competition
Eligibility:
Open only to Bala Vihar children who placed in the top three positions in Regional Gita Chanting competitions (with memorization).
Rules & Format:
- Participants must memorize all assigned verses for their group (refer Verse Assignments table below).
• Pre-K and up will be asked to chant 2 sets of 3 consecutive verses chosen at random by spinning a wheel. Shishu Vihar – will be asked to chant starting from verse 1.
• The prompter will cue the first pada; participants must chant that verse followed by the next two consecutive verses.
• Verses must be chanted in the correct sequence.
• Chapter opening and closing must be chanted by all participants, with the exception of Shishu Vihar. For Shishu Vihar participants, chanting opening and closing is optional
• In the event of a tie for second place, another round of chanting as a tie-breaker round will be conducted. Only 1st and 2nd place winners from State level will advance to Nationals to be held over Labor Day weekend in Pittsburgh, PA.
Verse Assignments – To be memorized
| GRADES | VERSES ASSIGNED |
| Grade Sishu Vihar | 12.1- 12.8 |
| Grades Pre-K – K | 12.1- 12.10 |
| Grades 1 – 2 | 12.1 – 12.20 |
| Grades 3 – 4 | 12.1 – 12.20 |
| Grades 5 – 6 | 12.1 – 12.20 |
| Grades 7 – 9 | 12.1 – 12.20 |
| Grades 10 – 12 | 12.1 – 12.20 |
Judging Criteria:
- Proper intonation and pronunciation
• Accuracy and flawless delivery from memory
• Presentation and overall impact
• Judges’ decision will be final
Learn Gita Competition
Vocabulary Quiz
Eligibility:
Bala Vihar children in Grades 1–12 who participated in Regional Gita Chanting competitions.
Online quiz with 25 questions
• Conducted in person at Chinmaya Niketan on May 30, 2026
• Participants must bring a laptop or tablet
• Internet access will be provided
Grade Groups:
| GRADES | Word Count |
| Grades 1 – 2 | 30 |
|
Grades 3 – 4 Grades 5 – 6 |
60 |
|
Grades 7 – 9 Grades 10 – 12 |
90 |
Vocabulary List Links:
Grades 1–2: BG-Chapter-12-Vocabulary-List-Matsya-Group.pdf
Grades 3–6: BG-Chapter-12-Vocabulary-List-Kurma-Group-1.pdf
Grades 7–12: BG-Chapter-12-Vocabulary-List-Varaha-Group.pdf
Gita Talks
Eligibility:
Bala Vihar children in Grades 10–12 who participated in Regional Gita Chanting competitions.
3–5-minute talk on one selected topic (refer list of topics below)
• Include personal anecdotes and application in daily life
• Participants should be prepared for Q&A
Topics (choose one):
- Turning emotions into inner strength through Bhakti Yoga (12.13–12.20)
2. Finding steadiness in a turbulent world through Bhakti Yoga (12.6–12.20)
3. Elevating the Self through the five guiding truths of the Bhagavad Gita (Gita Panchamrit)
Recommended Resources:
- Geeta for Yuva – Chinmaya Udghosh
• Swami Chinmayananda’s commentary on Chapter 12
• https://shlokam.org/gita/chapter-12.htm
Gita Krida
Eligibility:
Bala Vihar children who have registered for Vocabulary Quiz or Gita Talks
• Likely to occur on a different date as a nationwide event
• More details will be shared soon
