A sprawling city dotted with temples, sacred tanks and pilgrimage sites, Kurukshetra, in Haryana, is rooted in history. it’s said to be the battleground of the epic war between Pandavas and Kauravas as mentioned within 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 several great events through the course of the history. it’s also believed that Lord Krishna preached the Bhagwat Gita to Arjuna, a Pandava prince, here. consistent with mythology, Kurukshetra is cover 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’s related to 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 eclipse . it’s also believed that if one takes a dip within the holy waters of 1 of tanks in Kurukshetra, one can attain freedom from the cycle of rebirth and ascend to heaven. Similarly, the locals are very keen on quoting the Mahabharata that says anyone who dies during this city attains salvation after death. this is often the very city where it’s said the good sage Manu wrote Manusmriti, the book of law and morality, which guides Hindus. Moreover, it’s also believed that this is often the place where learned sages compiled the Rig Veda and therefore the Sama Veda.
Read MoreThe nearest airport is in Chandigarh, which is connected with all the metro cities in the country.
Located on the linking road from NH 1, Kurukshetra is well-connected with all the nearby cities.
Kurukshetra is in itself an important station in the railway network. Some of the important trains that pass from here include the Shatabdi express, Amritsar express, Jhelum express, Kalka Mail and Himalayan Queen.
A stepwell named after Bhishma Pitamaha, who is believed to possess laid here on a bed of arrows created for him by his ace student Arjuna, Bhishma Kund is one among the places in Kurukshetra that bears an in depth reference to the good epic Mahabharata. Bhishma Pitamaha was a figure revered by both the warring sides, the Pandavas also because the Kauravas. As per legend, he had a boon that allowed him to remain alive for as long as he liked and die only he wished to. He was wounded within 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 lots of believe as Bhishma lay dying here, he was parched and asked for water. To satiate his thirst, Arjuna immediately shot an arrow into the bottom and set free a stream of gushing water. this is often how the Bhishma kund was created, as per believers. The kund also features a temple next thereto .
A sprawling fort that holds the secrets of a minimum of three different cultural periods of Indian history, Raja Karna ka Qila is one among the foremost prominent tourist sites within the city. a favorite with history enthusiasts, it echoes with the tales and untold stories of the various times that have left their stamps on this place. Though it’s in ruins, it gives a peak into the periods from 4th century BC to 3rd century AD. the location was first believed to possess been surveyed by Alexander Cunningham and was later excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) within the 1920s.
The first period, between 4th century BC and 1st century BC, is represented by the Painted grey ware. These are made from coarse fabric, beads of terracotta and semi-precious stones. There are other antiquities made from terracotta and bone among other things. Two terracotta seals that are decorated with auspicious symbols just like the swastika (sacred Hindu symbol), snake, nandipad and crescent are characteristic of this era .
Houses of mud and baked brick are from the playing 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 within the contemporary Brahmi script from the first centuries of the Christian era are a treat for any history enthusiast.
The playing period is represented through the layout of the entire complex, which seems to possess been a neighborhood of a late medieval fortification hailing in 15th century AD. Archaeologists have found remains from this era on the northern fringes of the mound. These include houses and fortifications. Of particular interest may be a small house constructed with lakhauri bricks and lime plaster.
This famous masjid, or mosque lies just behind the tomb of Sheikh Chilli in Bari Mohalla. it’s believed to possess been created within the 17th century and therefore the style of architecture also hints an equivalent . Famous for its fluted minarets, attached to the rear wall, Pathar Masjid may be a beautiful monument inbuilt red sandstone. Floral motifs, carved in bas relief on the pillars of the mosque on which the ceiling rests are so intricate that it’s worth visiting the mosque just to ascertain them. The qibla, pointing within the direction of the holy Mecca, is flanked on either side by arched niches, which are inscribed with Quran verses. The masjid may be a beautiful specimen of architecture of that point .
Built in the memory of the famous Sufi saint, Abdu’r-Rahim or Aabd-ul-Razak, who was popularly referred to as Shaikh Chehli or Chilli, this tomb is one among the best monuments of 17th century within the region. Shaikh Chehli is believed to possess been the spiritual guru of Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan’s eldest son, Dara Shikoh. there’s also a madrasa, an Islamic school, which overlooks the tomb, and stands on a man-made octagonal terrace
. the gorgeous tomb is made with buff sandstone and is crowned with a white marble, pearl-shaped dome. The cenotaph of the saint is placed within the centre of the chamber and his grave is placed within the lower chamber, which joins the madrasa through a narrow gallery. The courtyard of the madrasa features a stone masonry tank within the centre and nine-arched openings on all sides . The madrasa building also houses two small museums, where excavated archaeological finds from two nearby locations, Harsh ka Tilla and Bhagwanpura are displayed.
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