Bangalore, Sep 21 (IANS) The first World Sanskrit Book Fair will be held here in January next year.

Scholars in the ancient Indian language from around 20 countries will interact with their Indian counterparts on the "treasure house of Indian knowledge tradition", the organisers said Monday.

"Scholars from about 20 countries, including Britain and Germany, are expected to participate in the four-day fair beginning Jan 7," said M.N. Venkatachalaiah, former chief justice of India and president of the National Advisory Board, World Sanskrit Book Fair.

Though titled World Sanskrit Book Fair, it will have books in all Indian languages on Sanskrit literature.

"People are longing to go back to the roots and access primary sources (of knowledge). Hence the fair is being held to make Sanskrit literature available in all Indian languages to the public," Venkatachalaiah said.

The popularity of Yoga, Ayurveda, Vedanta (ancient Hindu religious texts) and Bhagawad Gita has brought about renewed interest the world over to learn Sanskrit, he said.

The Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Sanskrit universities, oriental research institutes and Sanskrit academies will be among the participants, he said.

About 100 publishers from India will display their books in and on Sanskrit.

Around 10,000 delegates from India and abroad will participate. There will be a three-day national conference of Sanskrit scholars and an exhibition on "Knowledge Heritage of India".