Celebrated annually under the name “Vishva-Samsrity-Dinam,” World Sanskrit Day recognizes one of the most ancient and culturally important languages in human history. Sanskrit, sometimes referred to as the mother of many Indian languages, holds particular meaning for scholars, linguists, and spiritual searchers from all around the world.
This year World Sanskrit Day will be celebrated on 19th August, 2024. In Hindu custom, World Sanskrit Day is observed on the day of Raksha Bandhan, which is considered auspicious, every year on the full moon of the Hindu month of Shravan.
The Rich Cultural History of Sanskrit
Sanskrit is more than just a language; it is a treasure wealth of information, spiritual understanding, and philosophical ideas. Sanskrit, as the medium for some of the world’s most ancient books, including the Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagavad Gita, has had a tremendous impact on global literature, religious traditions, and intellectual discourse. Because of this vast heritage, Sanskrit is essential for anyone who wants to explore the depths of traditional wisdom.
At the Central and State levels, the Indian government’s Ministry of Education sent directives in 1969 celebrating Sanskrit Day. Every state in India now celebrates Sanskrit Day. This occasion marks the organization of Sanskrit Kavi Sammelan, writer’s seminar, student speeches and verse recitation competition, therefore providing a suitable forum for Sanskrit students, poets and authors.
Theme of World Sanskrit Day 2024
This year the theme of World Sanskrit Day 2024 is – Vedic Heritage and Tradition.
The commemoration of the day seeks to raise knowledge and support of Sanskrit language. Apart from this, the festivities also honor the purity and deity of the language, also regarded as the Dev Vani (language of the Gods).
The celebration of Sanskrit is noteworthy, as this Indo-Aryan language has made a lasting impact not only in the Indian subcontinent but also in countries such as Europe.
Sanskrit may be associated with a bygone era, but its continued importance in the modern world is immense. Computational linguists and AI researchers have focused on Sanskrit’s structure because of the language’s exact syntax and vocabulary. Particularly relevant to these domains is the logical structure of Panini’s grammar, widely regarded as one of the most exhaustive systems of grammar ever formulated.
