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Holy Places
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Brahma Sarovar
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It is considered to be one of the holiest tanks in the country. Locally called the Kurukshetra tank, it is the centre of interest for pilgrims who arrive in here. According to legend, Lord Brahma is said to have created the earth here. The tank measuring 3,860 feet in length and 1860 feet in breadth is considered to be one of the most sacred tirthas of Kurukshetra. The ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immesered here.
King Kuru first excavated the tank long before the battle of Mahabharata. According to the Pandav Puran a dip in the tank equals performing a thousand Ashwamedha yagnas. A bath in this tank during a solar eclipse absolves one from all sins. During a solar eclipse, lakhs of devotees gather at the tank from all over the country, an event that is locally called the Kumbh mela of Haryana. The last solar eclipse was in 1999 and the next is scheduled in 2003.
Brahma Sarovar is a large lake with clean water and there are ghats for bathing at regular intervals on the western and northern banks of the tank. The long flights of steps on the other two sides of the tank have long since been destroyed. The tank is just under three kilometres from the railway station and a five-minute walk from Yatri Nivas. The beauty of the lake is enhanced by two islands, one small and the other large. There are temples and places of Puranic and historical interest on these islands.
The bigger island divides the tank into two halves. Ruins on the bigger island are said to have been Aurangzeb's castle, who is reported to have posted armed soldiers here to collect jazia or taxes from pilgrims bathing in the tank and taking its sacred water home. The rate of taxes is said to have been Re 1 for a pot of water and Rs five for a dip in the tank. Pilgrims evading taxes were punished and at times killed. There is a well on this island called Chandra Kupa, which is one of the four sacred wells in Kurukshetra. There is a temple near the well and Yudhisthira is said to have erected a victory pillar over here but today there is no trace of it. The island is connected by a bridge, which runs from the middle of the northern bank. The smaller island holds an ancient Shiva temple, which is linked by a small bridge.
There are a number of maths, temples and dhramashalas on the northern bank of the tank. Among the prominent ones are the Gita Temple, dharmashala of Baba kamliwala, Shri Birla Temple, the Vyas Gaudiya Math and Gita Bhavan. The offices of the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) and Haryana Tourism are also here. |
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Sanihit Sarovar
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This is a holy bathing tank much smaller in size than Brahma sarovar (1,500 ft by 450 ft). A five minute walk from Yatri Nivas on the Pehowa Road and at the head of the station road, it is believed to be the meeting point of seven sacred Saraswatis. All tirths are said to assemble here on Amavasya Day (new moon day). People believe that if you perform shraddh or final rites here, you are absolved of all sins. This is a holy place for pinda daan, especially if the death has been unnatural. Pilgrims who arrive in Kurukshetra are led first to this holy tank on the occasion of a solar eclipse.
The tank where the first rays of the sun are said to have fallen is believed to be the permanent abode of Lord Krishna who not only bathed in the tank but also met up with gopis on its banks. There is a temple dedicated to Dhruv Narayan with deities of Lord Vishnu, Dhruv Bhagat, Hanuman and Durga on the bank of this tank. On the other side of the tank is an old Lakshmi Narayan temple. An interesting feature of this tank is the offices of the pandits and tirth purohits who have records of pilgrims which date back a hundred years and include records of Rajas and Maharajas of yesteryears
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Shree Krishna Museum
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It's a must see for any tourist or pilgrim arriving in Kurukshetra. The museum is a two minute walk from Yatri Nivas on the Pehowa Road and two and half kilometres from the railway station. It is mainly devoted to the Krishna theme and episodes from the Mahabharata. On the ground floor of the museum are many interesting ancient stone sculptures pertaining to the Krishna legend ranging from 1st AD to 11th AD. The focus of this gallery is the collection of wood, sandalwood and ivory carvings of Lord Krishna or Vishnu from Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The first floor of the museum is mainly devoted to folk art and handicrafts. Three different and beautiful tableaux made of papiermache and thermocol are the main attractions on the first floor. Puppets of deerskin painted colourfully and representing characters of Mahabharat are displayed on this floor.
The second floor houses an excellent collection of paintings (miniatures, pichvais etc.), manuscripts and musical instruments. Some glass paintings of traditional Thanjavur school of 17-18th C. AD, the Nayaka period have also been displayed here. The paintings are unique in that, Krishna is shown as fair complexioned and plump.
Awakening people ethically, morally and culturally through the ideas and ideals of Krishna is the main aim of the museum established in 1987. It shifted to the present building in 1991. The curator of the museum, Rajesh Purhoit is very helpful and informative. Open all days from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm barring Monday and bank holidays. Tel: 21288.
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Birla Mandir
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A handsome piece of architecture, which enhances the beauty of Kurukshetra. Made up of white marble, the temple was built by late Shri Jugal Kishore Birla in 1952. It is situated on the Pehowa Road diagonally across Yatri Nivas, two and half kilometres from the railway station, north of Brahma Sarovar.
A large sized marble chariot is installed in the garden. The chariot drawn by four horses has Lord Krishna and Arjun seated in it with one couplet from each of the 18 chapters of Gita inscribed on all sides. A Gaj Ghanta made of white marble has also been placed in the garden. According to legend a Titu bird had laid her eggs in the fields where the Mahabharat was fought and was worried about the safety of her children when she noticed the movements of the elephants. She prayed to God and a bell broke from the neck of an elephant and fell over the nest making it secure during the 18 day war of Mahabharata. Besides the idol of Lord Krishna, the main hall has portraits of Guru Nanak, Guru Gobind, Sant Ravi Dass, Guru Teg Bahadur, Ved Vyas and Tulsi Das along with their sayings. There is a dharamshala within the temple complex. Janmashthami is celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm at the temple.
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Banganga Dyalpur
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Arjun is said to have shot an arrow in the ground at this spot to procure water for his tired horses while he was chasing Jayadrath whom he had vowed to kill before sunset or commit suicide. Jayadrath had killed Arjun's son Abhimanyu unfairly and the Kauravas were trying their best to hide him from Arjun till sunset. Lord Krishna bathed the horses and thus refreshed from the spring which was formed at the spot Arjun's arrow had pierced the ground, could pursue Jaydrath's horses with ease. Arjun finally managed to slay Jayadrath, thanks to the illusion created by Lord Krishna of sunset.
This is a tank 78 ft by 110 ft located 3 kilometres from Yatri Nivas south of Brahma Sarovar in the village of Dyalpur which is five and half kilometres from the railway station. Dassera and Baisakhi is celebrated are held.
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Kamal Nabhi Tirth
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Located at a distance of three and half kilometres from the railway station, this tank is adjacent to Thaneswar. It is believed that Brahma was born out of a lotus from Lord Vishnu's navel here, hence the name. Pilgrims come to worship at the Brahma and Vishnu temples located on the banks of the tank.
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