Temples of Kurukshetra

BRAHMA SAROVER ( KURUKSHETRA)

The holy town of Kurukshetra is made venerable by the presence of many holy temples and water tanks. The Brahma Sarover is a sacred water tank that is revered as the cradle of civilization. Belief is, that Lord Brahma conceived that the Earth herein all its diversity. Today massive renovation plans have returned it to its formal glory as a major center of pilgrimage. The vicinity of the tank is marked by the presence of a number of small temples. Noteworthy among these are the small Mahadev temple (Sarveshwar Mahadev Temple) in the Sarover itself, the Birla Gita Mandir, Baba Sharwannath’s Temple and Haveli. But the beauty of the Sarover is distinct on the day of Solar Eclipse, Amavasya-the night of complete darkness-and the day of the Gita Jayanti Celebrations in the town. To bathe here on the day of an Eclipse brings upon one the blessings of having performed the Ashwa Medha Yajna. To bathe here on the days of Amavasya brings salvation form all sins. The Deep Daan ceremony at the Gita Jayanti Aarti of Haridwar.

SANNIHIT SAROVER



It is believed that the Sannihit Sarover is the meeting point of the seven sacred Saraswatis and to bathe here on the day of amavasya, absolves one of all sins. And hereby hangs a tale. In the days of yore, holy waters of all the country went up to the Lord and with burdened hearts prayed for assistance. "Man cleans himself of sins by taking a dip in our waters. It is we who have to carry this burden, of which we are tired. Please relieve us of these sins". Realising the validity of this request, the Lord ordained", On the days of amavasya collect in the waters of Sannihit Sarover and your sins will be absolved. "Ever since, the sanctity of the tank grew. Adjacent to the holy water tank is lie small temples of Dhruv Narain, Lord Vishnu, Laxmi Narain, Lord Hanuman and Mother Goddess Durga.

STHANESHWAR MAHADEV



Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple at Thaneswar is another holy center. It is small and distinct. It was here that the Pandvas prayed to Lord Shiva and received his blessing for victory in the battle of Mahabharata. Legend has it that the waters of the tank adjoining the temple are holy. A few drops of water cured the King Ban of leprosy. And, no pilgrimage of Kurukshetra is believed to be entirely complete without a visit to this Holy Temple. The tank and temple lie a short distance from Thanesar town, which gets its name from this temple. the temple of Sthaneswar is the abode of Lord Shiva say the devote. It once formed an important part of the kingdom of the King Harsha Vardhan of the Pushyabhuti dynasty. The architecture of the temple is regional in style-it has a domical roof. The facade of this dome is given an amla shape alongwith a tall pinnacle. The Linga is ancient and worshiped with a lot of ritual and prayer.

NABHI KAMAL

Adjacent the town of Thanesar lies the temple of Kamal Nabhi. Mythology has it that here Lord Brahma the creator was born out of a Lotus that grew from the naval of Lord Vishnu. The temple here has the images of Lord Vishnu and Brhama.

BHISHAM KUND NARKATARI


About one and half miles from Thanesar on Kurukshetra-Pehowa road lies a tank named Narkatari. It is here say legends, that Bhishma Pitamah of Mahabharata epic lay on a bed of arrows.

BHADARKALI TEMPLE

It is an ancient temple situated on the Jhansa Road in the north of Thanesar Town. Here Pandvas are stated to have worshipped the Goddsss and performed sacrifices for their victory before the commencement of Mahabharat war. This is one of the Sith Peetha of the 51 sacred peeths which had their origin from the scattered parts of the body of Sati. It is said that the right foot heel of Devi Sati fell here.



JYOTISAR


One of the most revered of holy centers of Kurukshetra is Jyotisar. Renovated recently, it retains its sanctity and the birthplace of the Holy Bhagwad Gita. A vat (Banyan) tree stands on a raised plinth here August. Spreading Venerated. It is believed that it was under this holy Banyan that Lord Krishna delivered the doctrine of Karma a wavering Arjun. He showed too, His Virat Roop the image of Himself as the Creator, the Preserver, the Destroyer-under whose will every leaf, every bud, every event, every man moved as automation. A marble chariot depicting Lord Krishna delivering to Arjun marks the site the Shrimad Bhagwad Gita. In one secluded section of this center an old Shiv temple can also be seen. Hundreds of years ago, a holy water tank was built here. Today the Kurukshetra Development Board has renovated the site. A mango shaped lake has been constructed here. Covered bathing ghats for the ladies have been provided. Cement parapets and enclosures have been built for protection. A restaurant and accommodation wings of Yatries has been built here. The area has been landscaped with flowering bushes and eucalyptus trees.

Jyotisar lies on Pehowa road, 5 Km from Kurukshetra.

PEHOWA

27 KM west of Thanesar lies Pehowa. Cunningham dates the town back to 882 AD. Another inscription on a temple proclaims that Pehowa was built as late as 895 AD. This was during the reign of King Mahenderapal. Excavations done here from time to time have revealed a number of ancient sculptures made in buff sand stone. The town finds special mention in the Vaman Puran and the epic Mahabhartha.

PRITHUDAKA TIRATH

During the period of ancient India the town was known as Prithudaka after King Prithu. Legend has it that King Rasthangu, the father of King Prithu lay dying. As a last wish, he called his son to his beside and asked him to take him to the banks of the holy river Saraswati. King Prithu did as he was told . But on his father’s death, he was filled with great anguish. He sat for days on the bank of this river offering Shardha. Ever since, the ritual of offering shardha of fathers here has come into vogue. This place where the unhappy King prayed for the salvation of his father came to be named Prithudaka tirtha. Ghats and temples were built here.

ARUNAY TIRTHA, ARUNAY



This tirtha is situated at a distance of six KM from Pehowa in the village Arnai. The temple is named after the confluence of river Aruna and Saraswati. For prayer and worship of Lord Shiva, a big fair is also held here on the occasion of Shivratri.



MUSEUM


Kurukshetra situated in the state of Haryana is one of the most sacred places in India. It is hallowed by its association with Lord Krishna’s sermon to Arjuna and mankind in the form of Shrimad Bhagavad-Gita. It is but appropriate that there should be a museum to present and preserve the multifaceted personality of Lord Krishna, the episodes of his childhood, his rasalila, philosophy and teachings in the form of rare manuscripts, paintings, sculptures and other artistic creations as well as archaeological material unearthed in Kurukshetra and its neighborhood. These artifacts present Lord Krishna as a revered God, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, a great philosopher, an epic hero, an astute statesman and a supreme lover. Personality and teachings of Lord Krishna have permeated the national ethos and the cultural personality of the Indian people for thousands of years and continue to serve as its beacon light.

Awakening the people ethically, morally and culturally through the ideas and ideals of Krishna, is the aim of this museum, which was established in 1987 and was shifted, to the present building in 1991. Museum continues to grow with additions of new artistic representations of the Krishna theme and archaeological finds.

As a visitor enters the Museum, he finds himself face to face with a huge sculpture of Sri Ganesha in dancing posture. This gallery also preserves stones sculptures pertaining to the Krishna legend ranging from 1st Century AD to 11th Century AD. Some of them have been acquired on loan from the Archaeological Survey of India and the department of Archaeological and Museum, Government of Haryana.