Sacred site
Brahma Sarovar
One of Asia's largest sacred tanks. Lakhs bathe here during solar eclipses.
Kurukshetra — Land of the Gita
One of India's most sacred cities. Site of the Mahabharata war and birthplace of the Bhagavad Gita.
5,000+
Years of history
48 Kos
Sacred parikrama
6
Tehsils
400+
Villages
Quick facts
- Name
- Kurukshetra (कुरुक्षेत्र)
- Also known as
- Dharmakshetra · Land of the Bhagavad Gita
- State
- Haryana, India
- Named after
- King Kuru, ancestor of the Kauravas and Pandavas
- Railway
- Kurukshetra Junction (Delhi–Ambala line)
Timeline
- c. 1200–900 BCEKuru kingdom — Vedic texts compiled in the region.
- 7th century CEThanesar flourishes under King Harshavardhana; Xuanzang visits.
- Medieval eraRemains a spiritual centre for Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims.
- 1947–presentMajor restoration of sacred sites; Haryana's best-known pilgrimage city.
Tourist places
Pilgrimage
Jyotisar
Where Lord Krishna is believed to have delivered the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna.
Museum
Kurukshetra Panorama
360 degree mural of the Mahabharata war with a science centre.
Temple
Sthaneshwar Mahadev
Ancient Shiva temple where the Pandavas are said to have prayed.
Temple
Bhadrakali Temple
Shakti peeth with huge Navratri celebrations.
Sacred site
Sannihit Sarovar
Sacred lake where seven Saraswatis are believed to meet.
Tehsils & localities
- Thanesar
- Brahmsarovar, Sectors 2-40, Model Town, KU/NIT area, Kalyan Nagar, Mohan Nagar, Shyam Colony, Dara Kalan, Pipli Road
- Pehowa
- Saraswati ghats, Prithudaka
- Ismailabad
- Ismailabad town, Narkatari
- Shahabad
- Shahabad Markanda, Markanda river
- Ladwa
- Ladwa town, Kaimri, Rasulpur
- Babain
- Babain town, Bursham
Events & festivals
- Gita JayantiInternational Gita Mahotsav — state-level fair with cultural programmes.
- Somvati AmavasyaNew moon on a Monday — lakhs bathe in Brahma Sarovar.
- Solar eclipseVery large gatherings for the holy dip.
- NavratriMajor celebrations at Bhadrakali Temple.
Universities & institutions
- KUKurukshetra University — founded 1956.
- NIT KurukshetraNational Institute of Technology.
- NID HaryanaNational Institute of Design campus.
- SKAUShri Krishna AYUSH University.