Kurukshetra is a holy town in the state of Haryana.Kurukshetra means the field of righteousness, a name well suited for its legendary past and religious predominance.The legendary tales of this place starts with Kuru, who laid this foundation. Ironically this land had witnessed a great battle between the successors of Kuru, in which Lord Krishna had played an important role. As a cradle of Indian civilization, this place found its rendering in many of the ancient texts and most of the books of that time contain either the description of Kurukshetra or names of personalities from there. A good number of Vedic transcripts were composed from here and Kurukshetra was the seat of all the social, spiritual and political traditions of the old era. Archaeological expeditions have proved that this city was in existence during the pre-Harrapan times.
How to reach here:
By Air: Delhi and Chandigarh Airports are the nearest airports.
By Rail: Kurukshetra is a major railway junction connected to all the important railway stations in the country.
Best time to visit: September to March
Languages spoken: Hindi
Must eat: Rabri, Bajre Ki Khichadi and Lassi
Famous Restaurants: Moti Mahal, Sagar Ratna, Kathi King, Guru Krupa, Krishna.
Places you must visit:
Jyotisar is the birthplace of Gita, is the most venerated place in Kurukshetra.It is believed that the Mahabharata battle started from Jyotisar and this is the place where Arjuna received the eternal message of Gita from Lord Krishna.It is said that Adi Shankaracharya has identified the place in the 9th centenary of Christian era. In 1850 AD. King of Kashmir constructed a Shiva temple at this place. In 1924, King of Darbhanga set a stone around a banyan tree , in evidence of Gita. In 1967 Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kama Koti Peeth , installed the chariot showing Gita Updesh on the platform facing east.
Brahma Sarovar as the name suggests, is associated with Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. Scriptures say that Prajapati (Brahma) had performed his first yagna at this place.According to the locals, a tower was erected by Yudhisthira (elsest of the Pandavas) in the island situated in the middle of sarovar as a token of his victory in the Mahabharata battle. There is a shrine of Lord Shiva located at the norther bank of the sarovar and is called Sarveshvar Mahadev. This Shivlinga was instilled here by Lord Brahma himself. It is believed that the holy dip in this sarovar during Solar eclipse will absolve all the sins.
Sannihit sarovar is believed to be the permanent abode of Lord Vishnu.It is believed that during the eclipse or new moon day, all the sacred water or the tirthas assemble here. It is believed that bathing in this during the new moon or the eclipse would fetch the fortune of a Ashwamedha yagna.
Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple is an abode of Lord Shiva. Staneshwar was the glorius capital of Harsha Vardhana and hence the structural design of the temple presents some regional influence. This shrine holds and ancient Shiv Linga , which holds the credentials of the first idol of Lord Shiva in phallic form.It was here that the Pandavas prayed to Lord Shiva and recieved his blessings for the victory in the battle of Mahabharata.
Bhadrakali Temple houses various incarnations of Goddess Kali and it is considered as one among the Shakti peeths where the lower limb of Goddess Sati fell. shakti peeths are those holy places where all the wishes are believed to be fulfilled.The devotees offer Terracotta horses as a mark of respect to the deity.
Birla Mandir was constructed in the year 1952 by the late Jugal Birla. the entire mandir is constructed in white marble.Within the premises of the temple, there is a dazzling Chariot of marble of a large size placed in the garden.a Gaj Ghanta made up of white marble is also placed in the garden area.There is a very interesting fairy tale related to this mandir. On the field , where the historical Mahabharat took place, on that place, the Titu bird kept her eggs and she was very worried regarding the security of her children. that time she heard the elephant's movement. She got really scared and started praying god to save her children. while walking, the bell of an elephant fell on the nest and it secured the nest from the Mahabharat war , which held for eighteen days.
Krishna Museum was established in the year 1987. This museum depicts the multi faceted personality of Lord Krishna through various artifcts from 1st century AD to 11th century AD. There is a beautiful statue of Lord Ganesh in the dancing pose.The exhibits in the galleries encompass exquisite woodcarvings, wooden panels, bronze casting, ivory works, palm- leaf etchings, stone sculptures, archaeological artifacts and miniature paintings. Tableaux made from Papier-mache and clay based on Bhagavata and Mahabharata needs special rendering.
Sheikh Chehli's Tomb is a beautiful monument of medieval times. It contains the mortal remains of the great Sufi saint Abdul-Karim popularly known as Sheikh Cheili, who was also the spiritual teacher of the scholar prince Dara, the son of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Built of buff sandstone, the tomb is crowned by a pear shaped dome of marble on a high circular drum.Another tomb of sand stone with a dome of marble decorated with floral designs is situated on the western wall of the enclosure. It is said to be Sheikh Chehli's wife. The beautiful monument resembles the Taj Mahal.
Jindal Park and Musical Fountain has been developed in the fond memory of(7th August 1930 – 31st March 2005) Power Minister, Haryana (2005) renowned industrialist, philanthropist, savior of farmers and the weaker sections of society.The park has a Musical Fountain – the biggest of its kind in Northern India. The main focus in the park is the memorable garden, where a beautiful torso bust (4ft ht.).
Chatti Patshahi Gurudwara is dedicated to Guru Har Gobind Singh.The Guru's princely appearance and armed retinue attracted many pilgrims who were puzzled to know that this warlord-appearing person was the spiritual successor of the saintly Baba Nanak. But their doubts were dispelled when they listened to the Guru's discourse on the relation between bhakti and shakti (prayer and power).Guru ka Langar, sarovar and availability of accommodation for pilgrims is available only at this place. The main building, a high-ceilinged congregation hall on a 6 feet high plinth, with a fluted lotus dome above the sanctum where Guru Granth Sahib is seated on a canopied marble seat, is lined all around, with white and streaked marble slabs.
The Kalpana Chawla Memorial Planetarium is equipped with latest Opto-mechanical and digital Projectors, 5.1 surround sound for projection of full dome planetarium programs. The planetarium system is housed in 12 meter dome having unidirectional seating arrangement of 120 persons.The gallery of the planetarium has interactive exhibits on astronomy. The permanent gallery demonstrates A walk through Time, Day and Night, Your weight on different planets, Seasons on Earth, World Time, Our Address in Universe, Our Solar System, Beyond Solar System, Astro Quiz, Zodiac Quiz etc. to the visitors. A special part of gallery throws light on the life of Dr. Kalpana Chawla. An outdoor exposition comprising of Samrat Yantra, Sundial, World Time, Turn Faster, Celestial Umbrella, Why we see one face of Moon? Optical tree, Eclipses, Totems Of Time, Gravity well, Planetrack and several other exhibits are displayed amid lush green ambience.
Bhor Crocodile Park is a tank in village Bhaur Saidan situated on Pehowa-Kurukshetra road, 22 kilometre from Kurukshetra where good number of crocodiles lived in. The area of this farm was 15 acre, 6 canal and 2 marla. The present population is 25. A high mound inside the tank has been erected for watching the reptiles from close range.
Mini Zoo Pipli is located on Grand Trunk road leading from Chandigarh to New Delhi in the vicinity of Kurukshetra town. This zoo was established during 1982 and is spread over an area of 27 acres.
The Markandeshwar Mahadev temple is located in the town of Shahbad Markanda, which is situated in the Kurukshetra district. The name Markandeshwar is associated with Maharishi Markandeya, a great devotee of Lord Shiva.The walls of the Markandeshwar Mahadev temple carry a scene depicting Lord Shiva saving Rishi Markandeya from Yamraj, the Hindu God of death.The Markandeshwar Mahadev temple is supposed to be the place where the young Markandeya was praying to Shiva in order to win over his destiny. This is where Shiva fought with Yama and blessed Maharishi Markandeya with the boon of immortality. The original temple dated back to pre-Mahabharat times and was founded in the third millennium B.C. The current structure is more recent and dates back to the early 20th century.
Arunai Mandir is one of the important place of pilgrimages associated with the saints Vashishta and Vishwamittra. The place is also significant for being the meeting points of the rivers Saraswati and Aruna. Mahabharata and Vamana Puran vividly describe about the significance of this tirath. However, presently the tirath is not known for the story narrated in the epic and the purana. Rather it is famous for being a Shivaite centre called Sangameshwar Mahadev temple. Here lies a temple dedicated to Shiva or Sangmaeshwar Mahadev adjoining to a small tank. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees throng to the temple regularly.
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