Puranava 2026 – Bengaluru
The 19th edition of Puranava, the flagship event of the Global Organisation for Divinity (GOD) which is the prestigious Indian Heritage Quiz, was conducted on the 8th of August with remarkable success and grandeur. The event was held in the heart of Bengaluru at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Bhavan, City Centre, providing a fitting venue for this grand celebration of India’s heritage and culture.
From the moment students began arriving, the hall was buzzing with excitement. The event saw an overwhelming response, with over 750 enthusiastic participants from various schools and an audience of approximately 1,200 members, making it the largest gathering in the history of Puranava and surpassing all previous records marking a new milestone for GOD. A particularly heartening sight before the preliminary round was the sincerity with which many of the students of Grade 6, 7, and 8 prepared themselves. Several of them were seen quietly praying, chanting shlokas, and revising their notes with great focus before beginning the written test. Witnessing such discipline and sincerity in such a young audience was truly inspiring
A truly unforgettable moment came when the entire audience of 1,200 members joined together in chanting the Mahamantra. The powerful chanting reverberated through the hall, creating an atmosphere of devotion, unity, and spirituality that left a deep impression on everyone present.
The quiz was vibrant, interactive, and filled with enthusiasm. Students responded eagerly to every question and demonstrated remarkable knowledge of Indian history, epics, culture, temples and so much more. Equally encouraging was the enthusiastic involvement of school principals, teachers, and parents, many of whom followed the quiz closely. Their active participation created an atmosphere where learning was celebrated collectively.
Puranava has always aimed to be more than a quiz, and this edition beautifully reflected that vision. More than the scores, what stood out was the curiosity the participants showed, the confidence with which they spoke, and the genuine happiness they felt in learning about their heritage.
The quiz masters and emcees played an important role in creating the vibrant atmosphere of Puranava 2026. Their lively interaction with the students, encouraging words, and engaging style kept the hall vibrant from beginning to end. The questions were presented with great clarity, and every response was evaluated with care and precision.
This year, Puranava once again surpassed its own global standards, recording participation of over 750 students and audience on a scale never witnessed before. The scale and reach of Puranava 2026 were reflected in the participation of around 75 schools from across Bengaluru, making the event a truly city-wide event. The 75 schools participated in the prelims after which 16 schools made it to the finals and the top 6 schools were in the final round. After an exciting and closely contested finale, NPS Kalkere emerged as the winners, while Vidya Bharati English School secured the First Runners-up position and Poornaprajna Education Centre were the Second Runners-up. Certificates, trophies , medals and gift vouchers were given to all the winners and finalists as well as semi-finalists. The enthusiasm of all the students remained till the end of the programme. As a token encouragement, goodies were distributed to all participating students, ensuring that every child carried home a joyful memory of the day.
The success of Puranava 2026 was made possible only through the dedication and tireless efforts of the organising committee of GOD, who worked continuously for over two months. From planning the quiz rounds and preparing study material and coordinating schools, volunteers, stage arrangements and every minute detail, the team poured its heart and soul into making the event a grand success. The spirit of hospitality was beautifully reflected in the delicious meal served to over 1000 people who attended the event and it was heartening to see everyone enjoying the prasadam-like lunch creating an atmosphere of joy and community.
Most importantly, a very sincere and humble pranams to our Guru Maharaj, Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamigal whose blessings is the reason the event truly was a grand success. With the grace of Sri Swamiji we hope that the 20th edition of Puranava will set a higher standard in every way.
As the programme came to an end, the smiles on the faces of the students, the excitement in their conversations, and the appreciation from parents and teachers made it clear that Puranava 2026 was not just a competition. It was a celebration of learning, culture, devotion, and community– a reminder that India’s timeless heritage continues to inspire the next generation. Several students, parents and teachers came up and spoke about the event, highlighting the importance of Indian heritage and how puranava 2026 truly stood by this. The programme concluded on a patriotic note with the singing of the National Anthem, bringing the memorable celebration to a close.
