Haryana · North
KurukshetraKurukṣetra
Land of the Bhagavad Gita, where tradition places the Mahabharata war
- Principal temple
- Sthaneshwar Mahadev TempleShiva as Sthaneshwar
- Best time to visit
- October to March
- Nearest airport
- Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport (IXC), Chandigarh, ~95 km
- Nearest railway station
- Kurukshetra Junction (KKDE), ~3 km from Brahma Sarovar
- Tradition
- Vaiṣṇava · Śaiva · Śākta
Overview
Kurukshetra, also called Dharmakshetra and the 'Land of the Bhagavad Gita', is a city and district headquarters in Haryana whose urban area has merged with ancient Thanesar. The Kurukshetra War of the Mahabharata is believed to have taken place here, and Jyotisar is revered as the spot where Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna beneath a banyan tree. Pilgrims bathe in the vast Brahma Sarovar, especially on Somvati Amavasya and during solar eclipses, and the 48 kos parikrama links the many pilgrimage sites around the city.
See sources [1–8]- Shiva as Sthaneshwar
- Krishna (site of the Gita discourse)
- Bhadrakali (Kali)
Main temples
Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple
Shiva as Sthaneshwar
The Pandavas and Krishna are said to have prayed to Shiva here for victory in the Mahabharata war; it is regarded as the central site of the 48 kos parikrama.
Jyotisar
Krishna (site of the Gita discourse)
Revered as the place where Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna; a banyan tree held to be an offshoot of the original stands on a raised plinth, beside an old Shiva temple.
Bhadrakali Temple
Bhadrakali (Kali)
A temple of Kali counted among the 51 Shakti Peethas.
Key festivals
- Nov – DecUpcoming
International Gita Mahotsav (Gita Jayanti)
Śukla Ekādaśī of Mārgaśīrṣa (November–December)
Solar-eclipse bathing at Brahma Sarovar
Every solar eclipse
Somvati Amavasya bathing
Every new-moon day that falls on a Monday
Festival dates follow the Hindu calendar and move from year to year — confirm them with the temple before you travel.
Plan your visit
When to visit
Best time to visit
October to March
Festival days draw the largest crowds. Check the festival calendar above and the temple's own timings before you travel.
How to reach
- By air
- Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport (IXC), Chandigarh, ~95 km
- By rail
- Kurukshetra Junction (KKDE), ~3 km from Brahma Sarovar
Related
Yātrās through Kurukshetra
Stories
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Sources
- Kurukshetra - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- Kurukshetra - Incredible Indiaincredibleindia.gov.in
- Jyotisar - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- Thanesar - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- Brahma Sarovar - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- 48 kos parikrama - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- How to Reach | District Kurukshetrakurukshetra.gov.in
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