Kurukshetra facts for kids

This page is about the municipality in India. For other uses, see Kurukshetra (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Kurukshetra Dharmakshetra
City
Bronze chariot with Krishna and Arjuna in Kurukshetra (Haryana)
Nickname(s): Land of the Bhagavad Gita
Kurukshetra Location in Haryana Show map of Haryana Kurukshetra Location in India Show map of India
Country	India
State	Haryana
District	Kurukshetra
Named for	King Kuru
Area
• Total	48 km² (19 sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Hindi
• Regional	Haryanvi
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	136118
Telephone code	01744
ISO 3166 code	IN-HR
Vehicle registration	HR-07

Kurukshetra is a famous city in the Haryana state of India. It's the main city of the Kurukshetra district. People also call it Dharmakshetra, which means "Realm of Duty." It's also known as the "Land of the Bhagavad Gita," a very important holy book.

Legends of Kurukshetra

A manuscript of Mahabharata showing the war at Kurukshetra

Kurukshetra is a very old and special place. Many stories and legends are connected to it. One of the most famous stories is from the epic Mahabharata.

The Land of King Kuru

According to ancient texts called the Puranas, Kurukshetra got its name from King Kuru. He was an ancestor of the Kauravas and Pandavas, two groups of cousins who fought a huge war. This war, known as the Kurukshetra War, is believed to have happened right here.

The nearby town of Thaneswar is also a holy place. It has many spots linked to the Mahabharata stories.

A Holy Region

In the Vedas, which are very old Hindu scriptures, Kurukshetra is described as a special region, not just a city. The word "kshetra" means "region" in Sanskrit. This area covered parts of what is now Haryana and Punjab.

Long ago, King Kuru chose this land near the Sarasvati River to practice good virtues. He wanted to combine spirituality with eight important qualities:

Austerity (being strict with oneself)
Truth
Forgiveness
Kindness
Purity
Charity
Devotion
Good conduct

Lord Vishnu, a Hindu god, was very impressed with King Kuru. He gave him two special blessings:

This land would always be known as a Holy Land, named Kurukshetra, after King Kuru.
Anyone who died on this land would go to heaven.

Kurukshetra was located between two important rivers: the Sarasvati and the Drishadvati.

History of Kurukshetra

Kurukshetra has a long and rich history. It was once the center of the Kuru Kingdom. This kingdom was one of the first organized societies in ancient India.

Ancient Times

The Kuru Kingdom was very important during the Vedic Period (around 1200 – 900 BCE). People here wrote down ancient hymns, which became the Vedas. They also developed new religious practices that became part of Indian civilization and the roots of Hinduism.

Later, Kurukshetra was ruled by different empires.

The Maurya Empire took over in the late 4th century BCE. During this time, Kurukshetra became a center for both Buddhism and Hinduism.
After the Mauryans, the Kushan Empire ruled the region.
In the early 4th century CE, the Gupta Empire conquered Kurukshetra. Under the Guptas, the city saw a big cultural and religious rebirth. It became a major center for Hinduism.

Medieval Period

After the Gupta Empire fell, the Pushyabhuti dynasty ruled Kurukshetra.

The city was at its best during the time of King Harsha (around 590–647 CE). A famous Chinese scholar named Xuanzang visited Thanesar during this period.
After King Harsha died, there was a civil war.
Later, the Tomara dynasty took control around the early 9th century.
In 1014, Mahmud of Ghazni attacked Kurukshetra. Muslim raiders also attacked in 1034.
The city became part of the Delhi Sultanate in 1206.

Later Empires and Modern Era

After the Delhi Sultanate weakened, Kurukshetra became independent again.
The Mughal Empire took over in 1526. Under Emperor Akbar, Kurukshetra became an important spiritual place for Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims.
In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the Maratha Empire controlled Kurukshetra.
The British took over the city in 1805 after defeating the Marathas.
Since 1947, Kurukshetra has grown into a popular spiritual center. Many old buildings have been restored, and new developments have taken place.

Geography and Climate

Kurukshetra is located in northern India. It's surrounded by many other cities and towns.

Climate of Kurukshetra

The weather in Kurukshetra changes a lot throughout the year.

In summer, temperatures can get very hot, reaching up to 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit).
In winter, it can get quite cold, sometimes as low as 1 degree Celsius (34 degrees Fahrenheit).
The city usually gets its rain in July and August.

People of Kurukshetra

Religion in Kurukshetra city (2011) Hinduism (83.47%) Sikhism (14.55%) Islam (1.66%) Christianity (0.20%) Other/Not Stated (0.12%)

In 2017, the government declared Kurukshetra a holy city. Because of its religious importance, certain rules apply regarding food within the city limits.

Getting Around Kurukshetra

The city has a main train station called Kurukshetra Junction railway station. This station connects Kurukshetra to other major cities like Delhi and also serves the nearby town of Thanesar.

Tourism in Kurukshetra

Kurukshetra is a very important place for Hindu pilgrims. Many holy sites are located around the city.

The 48 Kos Parikrama

The phrase 48 kos parikrama refers to a traditional walking tour of about 90 kilometers (56 miles) around the holy city. A "kos" is an old unit of distance. Completing this parikrama means visiting all these holy sites on foot.

Gita Mahotsav Festival

Every year, the International Gita Mahotsav festival is held in Kurukshetra. It celebrates the day the Bhagavad Gita was first told. This happened when Krishna shared its wisdom with Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra during the great war. The festival takes place on the 11th day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Margashirsha.

Hindu Religious Sites

Brahma Sarovar: This is one of Asia's largest man-made ponds. Hundreds of thousands of people come here every year to take a holy bath. They believe that bathing in the Sarovar on special days, like "Somavati Amavasya" (a sacred no-moon day on a Monday) or during solar eclipses, can wash away sins and help them achieve spiritual peace.
Sannihit Sarovar: People believe this pond is where seven sacred Sarasvati rivers meet. Bathing here on certain days is thought to bring great blessings.
Jyotisar: This is a very famous spot where the Bhagavad Gita was taught to Arjuna under a tree. People believe the tree from that time is still there, witnessing the historic event.
Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple: An ancient and important temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Museums in Kurukshetra

Kurukshetra Panorama and Science Centre: This center has a large display that shows scenes from the Mahabharata war. It helps visitors understand the epic story.
Dharohar Museum: Located at Kurukshetra University, this museum showcases the traditions and culture of Haryana.

Historical Sites

Sheikh Chilli's Tomb: This beautiful monument was built during the Mughal era. It honors Sufi Saint Sheikh Chehli, who was believed to be a spiritual teacher. The tomb is made of red sandstone and has a unique fluted tower.
The Pathar Masjid: This mosque is also built from red sandstone and is known for its special minaret.
Nabha House: This grand building was constructed by the royal family of Nabha.

Wildlife in Kurukshetra

Kurukshetra is home to several places where you can see wildlife.

Crocodile Breeding Centre, Kurukshetra: A place dedicated to helping crocodiles.
Chhilchhila Wildlife Sanctuary: A protected area for various animals and birds.
Saraswati Wildlife Sanctuary: Another sanctuary preserving local wildlife.

Education in Kurukshetra

Kurukshetra is an important center for education. It has several well-known colleges and universities.

Kurukshetra University: A large and famous university.
National Institute of Design: A place for students to learn about design.
National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra: A top engineering and technology institute.
Shri Krishna AYUSH University: Focuses on traditional Indian medicine.
University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Kurukshetra University
State Institute of Advance Studies in Teacher Education, Kurukshetra
Govt. Polytechnic, Umri
National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology, Kurukshetra

Images for kids

The statue of Arjun at the Arjun Chowk
Brahma Sarovar
Bhishma Kund
Sheikh Chilli Tomb
Sheikh Chilli Maqbara.
Map depicting all the 48 kos parikrama sites displayed at Ban Ganga/Bhishma Kund
Sudarshan Chakra Chowk near NIT
Bronze Chariot with Lord Krishna and Arjuna in Kurukshetra