Our virtual pilgrimage tour continues to the North Indian States and we move on to Kurushethra.
HISTORY OF KURUKSHETRA
Kurukshetra is probably the most famous religious site in India and one of the most ancient places of pilgrimage in the world. The name of Kurukshetra derives from a tribe, Kuru. By the evidence of its name and its archaeological remains there can be no doubts that Kurukshetra was occupied by the Aryans. The city is said to be as old as the Rigveda, and was also called Saryanvat.
According to Mahabharat the land between the Saraswati and Drishdvati was called Kurukshetra, which covered an area of five yojanas in radius. The territory between Tarantuka and Arantuka and between Machkruka and Ramhrada is called Kurukshetra, Samant Panchaka and the Northern Vedi of Brahma.
Kurukshetra derives its religious sanctity from more than one source. Its religious importance has been described as the land of righteousness in Rigveda, Sathpath Brahaman, Jabali Upnishad, Puranas, Bhagwat Gita, Mahabharat and other religious books.
Kurukshetra has been delcared as the land of Dharma or righteousness in the very first shloka of Srimadbhagwad Gita and it is quite evident that the name Kurukshetra was prevelent even before the great war of Mahabharat. It was after the name of King Kuru, the ancestor of Kauravas and Pandavas this place was called Kurukshetra.
Kurukshetra town lies in the North Eastern part of Haryana State and is about 160 Kilometers North of Delhi, 39 Kilometers North of Karnal and 40 Kilometers South of Ambala. It is at distance of about 6 kilometer from Pipli an important road junction on the National Highway No.1 popularly called the Grand Trunk Road.
Kurukshetra Railway Station, also called the Kurukshetra Junction is located on main Delhi-Ambala Railway line. There are two bus stands in Kurukshetra and one is at Pipli which is on the National Highway and easily accessible for the visitors coming from every corner of world.
Mythologically, the name Kurukshetra applied to a circuit of about 80 miles (128 kms.) which includes a large number of holy places, temples and tanks, connected with the ancient Indian traditions and the Mahabharata war. It covers a wide area with the present Panipat and north-west corner of the Jind district in the south and eastern part of the Patiala district in the west, and the Saraswati and Yamuna rivers at its northern and eastern boundaries respectively.
According to Manu, the tract between the old sacred rivers Saraswati and Drishadvati in Kurukshetra was known as Brahmavarta.
In the very first verse of the Bhagvad Gita,a Kurukshetra is described as Dharmakshetra, the field of righteousness. It is also known as Brajhmakshetra, the field of Brahma, the Creator. Nardak is another name for Kurukshetra, probably derived form nirdukh, without sorrow.
Many geographical names and personalities connected with Kurukshetra occur in the earliest Sanskrit literature and around this region were enacted the opening scenes of the drama of Indian history. Most of the Vedic literature was composed here and most of the social, religious and political traditions of this country arose in this region. It is therefore regarded as the cradle of Indian civilisation and culture.
Kurukshetra shot into prominence as the battle field of Mahabharta and as the birth place of the holy Gita. The great 18-day battle of Mahabharta was fought here in the ancient past between Kauravas and Pandavas for upholding the cause of dharma. It was a war between good and evil, in which the Pandavas were victorious.
Bhagvad Gita, the Song Celestial, is the divine message which lord Krishna delivered to Arjuna on the eve of the Great War when he saw the latter wavering from his duty. It epitomises all that is the best and noblest in the Hindu philosophy of life.
kurukshetra.nic.in/.../history.htm
R.Jagannathan.
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