A sprawling city dotted with temples, sacred tanks and pilgrimage sites, Kurukshetra, in Haryana, is rooted in history. It is said to be the battleground of the epic war between Pandavas and Kauravas as mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. It boasts its rich heritage and past glory in various majestic temples and holy tanks like Brahma Sarovar and Sannihit Sarovar. Named after king Kuru, an ancestor of the Pandavas and Kauravas, Kurukshetra has been a silent witness to many great events through the course of the history. It is also believed that Lord Krishna preached the Bhagwat Gita to Arjuna, a Pandava prince, here. According to mythology, Kurukshetra is spread over 48 kos (an ancient system of measuring land, wherein one kos is about 3 km) and envelops in its holy folds many temples. Legends abound here and have kept the stories of Mahabharata alive. The sacred River Saraswati (now non-existing), along which the mighty Aryan civilization began and bloomed, was once the lifeblood of this land. In fact, if one is to believe the mythology that is associated with Kurukshetra, the holy waters of all the rivers that are considered to be sacred in Hinduism flow converge in Kurukshetra’s Sannihit Sarovar, at the time of Somavati amavasya and solar eclipse. It is also believed that if one takes a dip in the holy waters of one of tanks in Kurukshetra, one can attain freedom from the cycle of rebirth and ascend to heaven. Similarly, the locals are very fond of quoting the Mahabharata that says anyone who dies in this city attains salvation after death. This is the very city where it is said the great sage Manu wrote Manusmriti, the book of law and morality, which guides Hindus. Moreover, it is also believed that this is the place where learned sages compiled the Rig Veda and the Sama Veda. Bhadrakali Temple This is an important religious stopover as it is one of the 51 shaktipeethas (devotional shrines where the severed body parts of Goddess Sati fell) in the country. Bhadrakali Temple is said to be the place where her ankle fell. Devotees know the temple by many names including Savitri Peeth, Devi Peeth, Kalika Peeth or Aadi Peeth. Legend has it that indignant at the behaviour of her father, who insulted her husband Lord Shiva, Goddess Sati committed Sati, or self-immolation in her father's yajna (a fire ritual). Devastated, Lord Shiva began pacing the universe with the burning body of his wife in his arms, causing havoc wherever he went. To save the universe, Lord Vishnu sent his sudarshan chakra to cut up her body into 52 parts so that the damage would be as less as possible. It is believed that wherever Sati?s body parts fell, a shaktipeeth was established. The temple is also associated with the Mahabharata legend. It is believed that Lord Krishna, along with the Pandavas, worshipped at this temple and offered their chariot horses as sacrifice. So local lore suggests that even today, if a devotee makes a wish at the temple and it comes true, the devotee should, in the fashion of the Pandavas, offer a couple of horses. As a result of this local lore, a number of devotees can be seen offering horses made of clay or precious metals at the temple. Another story associated with the temple states that the mundan or the sacred head shaving ceremony of Lord Krishna and his brother Balram was performed here. The temple receives a lot of footfall during festivals like navratras (a nine-day-long festival). Bhishma Kund A stepwell named after Bhishma Pitamaha, who is believed to have laid here on a bed of arrows created for him by his ace student Arjuna, Bhishma Kund is one of the places in Kurukshetra that bears a close connection with the great epic Mahabharata. Bhishma Pitamaha was a figure revered by both the warring sides, the Pandavas as well as the Kauravas. As per legend, he had a boon that allowed him to stay alive for as long as he liked and die only when he wished to. He was wounded in the battle of Mahabharata and came here to rest and watch the battle unfolding from this place. A story also relates how the kund came into existence, and many believe as Bhishma lay dying here, he was parched and asked for water. To satiate his thirst, Arjuna immediately shot an arrow into the ground and let loose a stream of gushing water. This is how the Bhishma kund was created, as per believers. The kund also has a temple next to it. Brahma Sarovar The picturesque Brahma Sarovar surrounds the famous Sarveshwar Mahadev Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. A calm expanse of water that hosts this sprawling temple, the sarovar is a sight to behold. The temple is attached to the land through a concrete arched bridge. The beautiful temple has been constructed out of buff sandstone and marble. A compound leads to the temple through three heavily carved doors. While it might have been a temple dedicated solely to Lord Shiva earlier, now there are idols of Lord Hanuman and Lord Garuda as well. Devotees can visit the Krishna Ghat nearby that offers a splendid view of the temple, especially during sunsets. There is an arti (a fire ritual) which takes place every evening. There are special artis, along with a deep daan, which takes place on the occasion of Gita Jayanti in late November and early December. Legend has it that Lord Brahma once worshiped Lord Shiva in this temple. Another mythological story suggests that Lord Brahma created the universe at this spot. Another legend associated with the temple suggests that during the epic battle of Mahabharata, this temple was destroyed in war every day. However, miraculously, it was reconstructed from scratch every night. Kartikeya Temple An important site that is immersed in Mahabharata lore is the Kartikeya Temple. It is believed to have been built around 5th century BC. One among the many pilgrimage temples in the Pehowa region, this temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Local legend has it that Lord Krishna instructed Prince Yudhishthira to light two lamps in honour of the 18 lakh warriors, who had lost their lives in the battle of Kurukshetra. It is believed that the two lamps that flank the temple are the same and they have been glowing continuously. Since this temple celebrates the Brahmachari or the bachelor state of Lord Kartikeya, there is a strict rule that forbids women to enter the temple. This temple is located on the outskirts of the city. Kurukshetra Panorama And Science Centre A unique combination of science and religion, the central attraction of the science centre is a life-like panorama of the battle of Kurukshetra. The exhibit gives travellers an alternate and scientific reading of various events of the battle. Built in a cylindrical shape, the centre is home to a number of interesting exhibits on ancient Indian concepts of properties of matter, structure of atoms, geometry, arithmetical rules, astronomy, medicine and surgery. One should not miss the panorama of the battle of Kurukshetra that is on display on the upper floor in the institution. It showcases in 3D modelling the battle of Mahabharata and offers a scientific explanation of each episode of the battle. There are several paintings that are part of the exhibit, some as high as 34 ft, which create a larger than life experience. The park outside has been used as an informal space for science exhibits for children that impart scientific knowledge in informal and interactive ways. Nabha House Constructed by the royal family of the Nabha principality, the Nabha House is a palatial building used by the members of the royal household during their stay in Kurukshetra for religious ceremonies. The grand building was constructed in the 19th century. It is located just opposite the Sannahit Sarovar in Kurukshetra and hence can be easily reached. Standing on a raised platform, the grand building's sides are decorated with mirhabs, or arched niches. The entrance gate is on the eastern side. The structure boasts two beautifully pillared windows (jharokhas) on the second floor. The base and the top of these pillars flaunt lotus designs. On top of the monument lies a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. It is about 15 foot tall and is built as per the navaratha (nine corners) plan. On its entrance is a wooden door, which is studded with decorative iron nails, representing the Hindu style of architecture. If one comes through the main entrance, one would come into a rectangular courtyard. There is a flight of steps on the southern side of the courtyard that leads to the temple on the second floor. Pathar Masjid This famous masjid, or mosque lies just behind the tomb of Sheikh Chilli in Bari Mohalla. It is believed to have been created in the 17th century and the architectural style also hints the same. Famous for its fluted minarets, attached to the back wall, Pathar Masjid is a beautiful monument built in red sandstone. Floral motifs, carved in low relief on the pillars of the mosque on which the ceiling rests are so intricate that it is worth visiting the mosque just to see them. The qibla, pointing in the direction of the holy Mecca, is flanked on either side by arched niches, which are inscribed with Quran verses. The masjid is a beautiful specimen of architecture of that time. Prachin Shiva Temple Situated on the banks of the now unexisting Saraswati river, the temple houses a number of beautiful sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses. This has led experts to believe that this must have been an important site for the worship of Lord Vishnu during the 9th and the 10th centuries. The temple named Prachi, literally meaning east, is named so because of the easterly flow of the Saraswati river, which was also known as Prachi Saraswati. One can easily spot three stone door frames from the ancient temple that have now been used at the entrances of new Prachi Shiva temple. Two of these arches are significant because they depict the navagraha (nine celestial bodies), the saptamatrikas (seven mothers) and the figures of Goddesses Ganga and Yamuna. There is also an image of Lord Vishnu on the Lalatbimba, which points to the presence of a Vishnu temple here in the past. Raja Karna Ka Qila A sprawling fort that holds the secrets of at least three different cultural periods of Indian history, Raja Karna ka Qila is one of the most prominent tourist sites in the city. A favourite with history enthusiasts, it echoes with the tales and untold stories of the different times that have left their stamps on this place. Though it is in ruins, it gives a peak into the periods from 4th century BC to 3rd century AD. The site was first believed to have been surveyed by Alexander Cunningham and was later excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the 1920s. The first period, between 4th century BC and 1st century BC, is represented by the Painted grey ware. These are made up of coarse fabric, beads of terracotta and semi-precious stones. There are other antiquities made up of terracotta and bone among other things. Two terracotta seals that are decorated with auspicious symbols like the swastika (sacred Hindu symbol), snake, nandipad and crescent are characteristic of this period. Houses of mud and baked brick are from the second period between 1st century BC and 3rd century AD. Red polished ware is characteristic of this era. Stamped pottery, terracotta objects and clay sealings which chronicle legends in the contemporary Brahmi script from the early centuries of the Christian era are a treat for any history enthusiast. The third period is represented through the layout of the whole complex, which seems to have been a part of a late medieval fortification hailing in 15th century AD. Archaeologists have found remains from this period on the northern fringes of the mound. These include houses and fortifications. Of particular interest is a small house constructed with lakhauri bricks and lime plaster. Sannihit Sarovar Situated on the outskirts of Kurukshetra, this sacred water reservoir is said to be the meeting point of the seven tributaries of the now unexisting Saraswati river. Legend has it that this sarovar is the permanent abode of Lord Vishnu. According to local lore, the sanctity of the entire array of Tirthas, or pilgrimage sites, assembles here on the night of new moon. It is said that if a man performs shraadh, a memorial prayer offered for the ancestors, during a solar eclipse here and bathes in the tank, he is graced by the fruit of a thousand Ashwamedh sacrifices, which is an ancient Vedic ritual performed by kings to prove their sovereignty. Because of this, pilgrims visit here at the time of any solar eclipse. Local priests are famed to be the archivists of lakhs of pilgrims who come here. One can visit them and learn about their ancestors. Sheikh Chillis Or Chehalis Tomb Built in the memory of the famous Sufi saint, Abdu'r-Rahim or Aabd-ul-Razak, who was popularly known as Shaikh Chehli or Chilli, this tomb is one of the greatest monuments of 17th century in the region. Shaikh Chehli is believed to have been the spiritual guru of Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan’s eldest son, Dara Shikoh. There is also a madrasa, an Islamic school, which overlooks the tomb, and stands on an artificial octagonal terrace . The beautiful tomb is constructed with buff sandstone and is crowned with a white marble, pearl-shaped dome. The cenotaph of the saint is placed in the centre of the chamber and his grave is placed in the lower chamber, which joins the madrasa through a narrow gallery. The courtyard of the madrasa has a stone masonry tank in the centre and nine-arched openings on each side. The madrasa building also houses two small museums, where excavated archaeological finds from two nearby locations, Harsh ka Tilla and Bhagwanpura are displayed. Sthaneshwara Mahadev Temple Believed to have been built over 5,000 years ago, the Sthaneshwara Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. A large, blue idol of Lord Shiva is placed in the middle of the water tank. The temple sees a huge footfall during the festival of Mahashivratri, which is celebrated with a lot of pomp and show. Situated amidst serene surroundings, the temple provides picturesque views. Legend has it that this is where the Pandavas prayed to Lord Shiva to ask for victory in the battle of Kurukshetra. Locals also believe that the water of the adjoining pond has healing powers. It is said that once a mighty king in the history of the region, King Ban, contracted leprosy, which was cured after bathing in the waters of this pond. Local lore suggests that this was the first temple where Lord Brahma laid the first lingam of Lord Shiva. This implies that this was the first temple in which Lord Shiva was worshipped. Vishvamitra Ka Tila Vishvamitra ka Tila is home to the remains of an ancient Vishnu temple. It is situated on the southern bank of now unexisting River Sarawati, on the outskirts of the town of Pehowa. The site is archaeologically important because of two inscriptions from the Gurjar-Pratihara period (8th to 11th century) that have been found here. One of the inscription details the creation of the three Vishnu temples in the town. The other inscription, in the Garibnath Mutth, dates back to 882 AD and records raja Bhojdeva's collection of voluntary tax for the maintenance of the Vishnu temples in the area from the traders. Excavations in the area have yielded intricate stone sculptures, depicting scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Another important excavation revealed the remains of an ancient temple plinth made of baked bricks. The remains are important because they are the only known brick temple remains of their kind in this region.
© Bonjour Media. All Rights Reserved.
