Kurukshetra
Kurukshetra is a great pilgrimage for millions of Hindus from all over the
country who visit the land of Kurukshetra, the venue of the Mahabharata
war and the birth place of the Bhagvad Gita, for its holy places. Building
on its, historical and cultural traditions, the Kurukshetra city has developed
upto a modern city having Kurukshetra University, Regional Engineering College,
Ayurvedic Medical College, Science Museum (Panorma) etc.
Kurukshetra town lies in the North Eastern part of Haryana State and is
about 160 Kilometers North of Delhi, 39 Kilometers North of Karnal and 40
Kilometers South of Ambala. It is at distance of about 6 kilometer from
Pipli an important road junction on the National Highway No.1 popularly
called the Grand Trunk Road.
Kurukshetra Railway Station, also called the Kurukshetra Junction is located
on main Delhi-Ambala Railway line. There are two bus stands in Kurukshetra
and one is at Pipli which is on the National Highway and easily accessible
for the visitors coming from every corner of world.
The name Kurukshetra is associated in the Puranas and the Great Epic with
the legendary king Kuru although it appears to be more logical to trace
it to the tribe of Kurus which was born as a result of merger of the various
classes of the Great Bharatas who are described in the Rigveda as kindling
sacrificial fires on the banks of the sacred Sarasvati and Drishadvati.
The Sarasvati is described in the Rigveda as a perennial river par excellence,
flowing from the Himalayas to the ocean most probably it refers to the Ghaggar.
The Drishadvati was the river in whose bed the Hansi-Hisar branch of the
Western Yamuna Canal now flows. The Kurus also were known to the Rigveda
as the mention of a King named Kurushravana indicates.
Many geographical names and personalities connected with Kurukshetra occur
in the earliest Sanskrit literature and around this region were enacted
the opening scenes of the drama of Indian history. Most of the Vedic literature
was composed here and most of the social, religious and political traditions
of this country arose in this region.
It is therefore regarded as the cradle of Indian civilisation and culture.
Kurukshetra shot into prominence as the battle field of Mahabharta and as
the birth place of the holy Gita. The great 18-day battle of Mahabharta
was fought here in the ancient past between Kauravas and Pandavas for upholding
the cause of dharma.
It was a war between good and evil, in which the Pandavas were victorious.
Bhagvad Gita, the Song Celestial, is the divine message which lord Krishna
delivered to Arjuna on the eve of the Great War when he saw the latter wavering
from his duty. It epitomises all that is the best and noblest in the Hindu
philosophy of life.
Jyotisar, near Thanesar, is supposed to mark the site where it was delivered.
Kurukshetra is mentioned a great deal in ancient literature. A flourishing
country of the Kurus, it was the most sacred region of the Dvapara age according
to the Matsya Purana and one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas of Jambudvipa.
It was the region of lakes and lotus beds which can be seen even now. Manu
indirectly praises the prowess of the people of Kurukshetra.
Bana describes it as the land of the brave in the eyes of the warriors.
The place was visited by Buddha and appears to have been favoured by his
masterly discourses. Kurukshetra also finds mention in Panini's Ashtadhyayi.
It was also visited by nine out of the ten Sikh Gurus, Guru Angad Dev the
Second Guru, being the only exception.
The place where Guru Nanak stayed during his sojourn at Kurukshetra is well
known as Gurdwara Sidhbati on a mound near the pumping station across the
Kurukshetra Tank. The gurdwara dedicated to Guru Hargobind, the sixth guru,
stands near Sannihit tank.
Another gurdwara near the Sthaneshwar tank marks the spot sanctified by
the visit of the ninth Guru Tegh Bahadur. And on the main bank of the Kurukshetra
tank, stands the Gurdwara Rajghat built in the memory of the visit of the
tenth Guru Gobind Singh; who also visited Jyotisar.
This region saw the rise and fall of many an empire through centuries.
Sons of the soil fought invaders in the battlefield of this sacred land
from time to time and their exploits fill the pages of history. The period
of King Harsha was a golden age.
Kurukshetra Tourism Reservation Form
