| FACTS
& FIGURES
Population : 641,943
Languages : Hindi, English
Best time to Visit : October to March
STD Code : 01744
LOCATION
Kurukshetra is situated in the north
Indian state of Haryana. The name Kurukshetra was originally
given to an area covered by 48 kosas (an Indian form
of measuring land) where 860 places of pilgrimage related
to the Mahabharata exist today. Extending between 29.97°N
and 76.85°E, Kurukshetra is in the district of Karnal,
about 150 km northwest of Delhi.
CLIMATE
Climatically, Kurukshetra has three
major seasons. The summer season (April–June)
raises the mercury to as high as 110°F. Rainy season
is from July to September. The average annual rainfall
is 58 cm. Winter months are from October to March, when
the temperature dips to as low as 40°F. This is
the best season to visit Kurukshetra.
PAST
The region of Kurukshetra lies east
of the Punjab where the Aryans first settled when they
began migrating into the subcontinent some time between
2000 and 1500 bc. It is believed that the Rig Veda was
composed between 1500 and 1000 bc in this place.
From a historical perspective, it was here that the
theological and philosophical framework of Hinduism
was forged between the 5th century bc and the 5th century
ad. It was here that nascent Hinduism, as we know it
today emerged.
Tradition holds that the great 18-day battle between
the Pandavas and Kauravas in which Lord Krishna played
his enigmatic part, as described in the pages of the
epic Mahabharata, was fought on the plains of Kurukshetra.
The sacred sites of Kurukshetra today preserve the
memory of the struggle at both levels. Very appropriately,
Kurukshetra is also known as Dharmakshetra—the
region of the Dharma. Today, Kurukshetra, more than
any other place in India, is the reduced image of the
religious universe of the Hindus.
SITES TO VISIT
Among the holiest of water tanks in
India, the Brahma Sarovar is an important place to visit
in Kurukshetra. It is the cradle of Indian civilization
because Lord Brahma, the Creator of the Universe, conceived
the Earth here. The tank has been renovated and it measures
8600 ´ 1500 feet. Its growing feature is a small
but highly sacred temple that stands within the Sarovar
devoted to Lord Mahadev. A dip in the Sarovar bears
the sanctity of performing Ashwamedha Yajna, which,
the scriptures say, absolves one of all the sins. The
months of November and December are the time when migratory
birds flock around Brahma Sarovar and add an exhilarating
environmental setting to the sanctity of the place.
Sannihit Sarovar is yet another sacred water tank.
It measures 1500 ´ 450 feet and is considered
to be the permanent abode of Lord Vishnu. Legend has
it that hundreds of years ago people, burdened by their
sins, sought help from the Lord. At this, the Lord said
“On the days of Amavasyas (nights of total darkness)
or on the days of an eclipse, if you collect the water
of Sannihit tank, your sins will be absolved.”
Ever since, the tank has been the venue of millions
of devotees who perform the Ashwamedha Yajna. The Kumbh
Mela is yet another major event related to the legendary
Sannihit Sarovar. There are also temples of Vishnu,
Druv Bhagat, Laxmi Narayan, Lord Hanuman and the Mother
Goddess besides the Sannihit Sarovar. It is believed
that Lord Krishna had taken a dip in the Sarovar after
the battle of Mahabharata.
A few gurdwaras at Kurukshetra have acquired great
sanctity and have become places of pilgrimage. The site
where Guru Nanak stayed is now worshipped as Gurdwara
Sadbhiti. Another gurdwara stands besides it where the
sixth Guru Har Gobind stayed during a visit. Again,
the ninth Guru, Shri Tegh Bahadur stayed at a spot near
the Sthaneshwar Tirtha that is marked by a gurdwara.
Another prominent gurdwara called Raj Ghat is devoted
to the memory of the tenth Guru, Gobind Singh.
SITES NEARBY
Near Kurukshetra, Thanesar is a sacred
town for Hindus because the Shiva in the form of linga
(organ) was first worshipped here. Kuru, the Kauravas
and Pandavas’ ancestors meditated on the banks
of the Yamuna and Parasurama killed many Kshatriyas
here. King Harsha was born here, ascended the throne
at the age of 16 and ruled for 41 years, sharing his
seat of power with his widowed sister whom he had rescued
from Sati (self-immolation). During his rule, the renowned
Chinese traveler Huen Tsang lived in Thanesar for a
number of years and Bana Bhatt, the celebrated Sanskrit
scholar, met Harsha here.
Sultan Muhammad plundered the city in ad 1014, destroyed
most of its temples and carried away as much gold as
he could. Akbar brought peace, but Aurangzeb just messed
things up for the Hindus because it was a sacred place
for them. The tomb of Sheikh Chilhi Jalal is a fascinating
monument, octagonal in shape, crowned with a dome of
white marble and surrounded by a white marble courtyard.
Tourists may also check out Chini Masjid and Pathar
Masjid, two outstanding monuments built in the Mughal
architectural style.
Twenty-seven kilometers from Thanesar, Pehowa was built
sometime in ad 882 although an inscription on a temple
claims that it was actually built in ad 895 during King
Mahendrapal’s rule. Numerous ghats and temples
have been built in memory of king Prithu.
The legend of the Ban Ganga goes back to the final
days of the Mahabharata battle when the patriarch, Bhishma,
lay mortally wounded on a bed of arrows. In his dying
moments, he felt thirsty and, as the patriarch of both
the Kauravas and Pandavas, sent for Arjun. It is said
that Arjuna’s arrow brought the waters of the
holy Ganga to quench the thirst of Bhishma. Today the
site is worshipped as Bhishma Kund and lies some 12
km from Kurukshetra.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Each year in November and December,
the Brahma Sarovar attracts large crowds to observe
Deep Daan and Aarti, the ceremonies especially held
to celebrate Gita Jayanti. There are also theatre performances,
music recitals and pageants that bring the atmosphere
to life.
HOW TO REACH
Kurukshetra is close to the airfields
of Chandigarh and Delhi. It is a road and rail junction
serviced by taxis and buses of the Haryana Roadways
and other state corporations.
CUISINE
Haryana, an agricultural state, has
retained its simplicity in cuisine. One can try a glass
of lassi or chaaj (buttermilk) followed by angakda,
small thick rotis made of barley (jau) cooked directly
on fire. Butter made at home, onion, red chilly, and
garlic chutney often accompany the angakda.
|
