Kurukshetra is a district in the Indian state of Haryana. It is a holy place and is also known as Dharmakshetra (“Holy City”). According to the Puranas, Kurukshetra is named after King Kuru, the ancestor of Kauravas and Pandavas, as depicted in epic Mahabharata. The meaning of the word `Kurukshetra` is the land of the Kauravas.
HOW TO REACH
By Air:-
Delhi airport, about 179 km south of the city, is well connected by domestic and international flights. Almost all the major airlines have their flights operating from Delhi. Taxis and private vehicles are available to reach Kurukshetra.
By Rail:-
Kurukshetra railway station, about 2 km from the city centre, is a major rail head. It is well connected to cities like Delhi, Patiala, Meerut, Ludhiana, Panipat and Ambala. Taxis and local buses are available from the railway station to reach Kurukshetra.
By Road:-
Local and state run buses connect the city to Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Panipat, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Patiala, Meerut, Jaipur and Ambala.
WHAT TO SEE
Jyotisar:-
Jyotisar is the place where the sacred book of Bhagwad Gita originated. It is located at a distance of 12 km from the region of Kurukshetra on the Pehowa Road. The name Jyotisar derives its name from the Hindi words, ‘Jyoti’ meaning ‘light’ and ‘Sar’ meaning ‘the core meaning’. This revered site of Kurukshetra has a holy Banyan tree, which is considered as the offshoot of the Banyan tree under which Lord Krishna preached Arjuna about Bhagavad Gita, which is the doctrine of Karma and Dharma. According to legend, Lord Krishna revealed his Virat Rupa or Universal Form at this place.
Sannihit Sarovar:-
Sannihit Sarovar is a holy water tank, which is 1500×450 in size and is also an assembling place of all the sacred tirthas. People from different parts of India come here to take dip or for ‘pind daan’ for their ancestors, which is in case of unnatural death. As per the ancient story, it is the same place where the Rig Vedic sage Dadhichi gave up his life. There are many Purohits who have their offices on the banks of the sarovar and have the main duty of maintaining the records of all the pilgrims who come here for shradhs.
Lakshmi Narayan Temple:-
The Lakshmi Narayan Temple is an ancient temple that belongs to the 18th century and the temple is dedicated to God Narayana and Goddess Laxmi. The structure of this temple is a double storied architecture with flights of steps running down.
The temple basically stands on a massive platform with three different components like Vestibule, Sanctum and Saptaratha. The main aim behind the structure and establishment of sanctum-sanctorum is the seven projections.
Bhisma Kund:-
The Brahma Sarovar is one of the holiest water tanks in India and believed to be the cradle of Hinduism. Â It is here that Lord Brahma, the Creator of the Universe, reputedly conceived the earth here.
About 1318 m in length and 640 m in breadth, the Brahma Sarovar is divided by a road into 2 major parts. Thousands of pilgrims every year pay a visit to this place to bathe on the occasion of solar and lunar eclipses and Amavasya nights as well.
Pehowa:-
This is an ancient town not very far from Kurukshetra and has been a centre of pilgrimage for ages. It is believed that King Pirthu on the death of his father sat on the banks of the river Saraswati and offered water to all visitors, ever since then town is named Prithudaka or Prithu’s Pool in the remembrance of the king Prithu. But today the town is called as Pehowa.
FOOD:-
Non-vegetarian food is not available in Kurukshetra. Local Haryanvi fare is exquisitely delightful. Plenty of hotels and Dhabas dot the roadways. Typical North Indian dishes include Kadhi pakora, Besan masala roti, Bajra roti, Aloo roti, Kheer, Bathua raita, Methi Gajar, Singri ki sabzi, and Tamatar chutney. Local Punjabi cuisine includes Dal Makhani, Paneer Amritsari, Kulcha, Channa-Batura, Chhole Bature, Rajma, lots of sweets and snacks and the delightful lassi.