Kurukshetra Tourism

Kurukshetra is a city in the state of Haryana, India. It is also known as Dharmakshetra ("Holy Place"). It is also known as the "Land of Bhagwad Gita". Kurukshetra lies at distance of 160 km from New Delhi and about 80 km from Chandigarh - city with the nearest airport. According to the Puranas, Kurukshetra is a region named after King Kuru, the ancestor of Kauravas and Pandavas, as depicted in epic Mahabharata. The importance of the place is attributed to the fact that the Kurukshetra War of the Mahabharata was fought on this land and the Bhagavad Gita was preached here during the war when Lord Krishna found Arjuna in a terrible dilemma. The population of Kurukshetra was 964,655 in 2016.

Kurukshetra is also known as Dharamakshetra (Region of Righteousness), and was a holy site where all sins were forgiven. According to the Mahabharata, those who die at Kurukshetra attain heaven, hence the it was the venue of the war between the Kauravas and Pandavas. The town of Jyotisar in this district is also supposed to be the place where Lord Krishna instructed Arjuna on his philosophy of Karma and Dharma, now known as the Bhagvad Gita. The Gita is one of the most sacred Hindu texts. This dialogue with Krishna helped Arjuna stand in battle against his own family, teacher, and friends. Kurukshetra is also referred to as Brahmakshetra, on account of Lord Brahma having created the universe in this place. It is also famous and revered because this is where the Vedas, among the oldest ancient and sacred texts in the world, were written. Though there are many temples, and other sites to visit in this historical land, the following places must not be missed.