Dharamshetra Kurukshetra

The Holy city Kurkshetra is situated on the erstwhile Sher Shah Suri Marg or the Grand Trunk Road, easily accessible through National Highway  (Delhi—Ambala) or Northern Railway. Pipli, Thanesar and Kuurkshetra form an integral whole seeped in mythology and reminiscent of the Vedic era.

It is believed that Lord Brahma created the universe after performing the holy yagya at this sacred place. Sage Manu scripted the Manusmriti in this divine town. Aryan civilization settled along the banks of holy river Saraswati at this locale. The warring Kuru clan, Kauravs and Pandavas fought in the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Lord Krishna preached the holy Bhagwad Gita to Arjun as all sovereigns congregated here.

A pilgrim must ideally undertake the 48 kms parikarma or the circumambulation of the holy spots of the Vedic/Mahabharata era across the district. A tourist is at liberty to cover as many spots as per preference. Death here brings moksha (salvation) and freedom from the cycle of birth-rebirth.

To purge one’s soul and seek blessings of Lord Brahma one must visit Braham Sarovar. The temple is surrounded by a huge reservoir of water supplied through SYL. A holy dip on auspicious days is believed to be equal to performing one thousand Ashvamegh Yagya. Ascetics, yogis, sanyasis throng the place. Fishes and ducks float in abundance. One of the most scenic sunsets can be observed from the ghats. Temples, Akharas, Dharamshalas, Ashrams are found in abundance around the area. Giant Krishna Arjun rath is an added attraction. The evening arti with numerous diyas and chants reverberating is a surreal experience.

A few meters away, Sanhit Sarovar, the abode of Lord Vishnu attracts devotees from the entire northern region. It is believed to be the meeting point of the seven tributaries of the now extinct Saraswati river. A few kilometres on, one must offer obeisance at the Bhishm Kund, the spot where Arjun shot arrow and a stream gushed out to quench thirst of the grand sire Bhisham Pitamah as he lay on the bed of arrows and preached sermons to the Pandavas after the decisive war. Moving on, one must sit under the ancient Banyan tree, the living relic at the Jyotisar, the venerated birth place of Bhagwad Gita.

Kurukshetra allures pilgrims of diverse religious beliefs. Numerous ancient temples witness large footfall: Birla Mandir, near Braham Sarovar; Sthaneshwar Mahadev Mandir, where Pandavas offered prayers to Lord Shiva; Bhadrakali Shaktipeeth, temple of Goddess Durga, where Pandavas and Lord Krishna offered prayers after winning the war. They offered horses as thanks giving, and ever since devotees offer pair of horses (clay/ silver/gold) after their wish is fulfilled. Lord Krishna and his brother Balram’s mundan ceremony was performed here only. Long serpentine queues form on Saturdays and Navratri. Gurudwaras of religious significance are found in the district: Gurudwara Raj Ghat Patshahi Dasvin, Gurudwara Shri Patshahi Chevin, Gurudwara Shri Sidhvati Sahib Patshahi Pahili, Gurudwara Shri Teesri, Satvin & Athvin Patshahi , Gurudwara Shri Navin Patshahi, Gurudwara Manji Sahib and many more.

For the inquisitive traveller, Kurukshetra offers Kurukshetra Panorama and Science Museum, Shri Krishna Museum, Kalpna Chawla Memorial Planetorium and Darohar Museum. Historians love to visit Thanesar Archaeological Site Museum, Sheikh Chilli Tomb and Harsha ka Tila. Children love the Pipli Mini Zoo and the Bhor Saidan Crocodile Farm.

Kurukshetra also features in nation building academic road map of India through researchers and scholars of Kurukshetra University and National Institute of Technology.

Largest congregation of faith and humanity can be witnessed on ‘Amavas’ or solar eclipse. International Gita Jayanti in the month of December, a fortnight of religious and cultural celebration attracts tourists in hordes. It is a unique experience as one jostles in the crowd, shops from the crafts mela, savours authentic regional cuisine or hops from pandaal to pandaal listening to pravachans/katha or dances along the troupes.

When are you coming to Kurukshetra?

Suruchi Kalra Choudhary