KURUKSHETRA 
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Location : 
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22 Kms from Chandigarh, Haryana 
Significance : Famous Hindu Pilgrimage
Main Attractions : Brahma Sarovar
Main Languages/Dialect: Hindi, Haryanvi, English

Description
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Kurukshetra the holy pilgrimage covers an area of 48 kosas, in which 360 places of pilgrimage related to the Mahabharata can be seen. The area covers Pehowa, Kalayat, Amin, Phalgu, Thanesar, Jyotisara and Kurukshetra town.

Kurukshetra has been the germinating ground of the essence of what we call Hinduism. The call to duty is the supreme religion. The dictate to action without the thought, the hope, the wish, or reward is a philosophy that has guided the Indian psyche for thousands of years. It is one of those holy towns that have borne the imprint of Lord Krishna's footsteps. 

But it is not for this reason alone that Kurukshetra is the land where Manu wrote 'Manusmriti', where learned 'rishis' or Indian sages and scholars compiled the holy Rig Veda and Sama Veda. It is here too that the righteous King Kuru performed the supreme sacrifice to bring prosperity to the land and his people. 

This was the place where the great epic battle of Mahabharata taught man righteous action. The 'Ban Ganga' of Arjun and the now subterranean 'Saraswati' once followed on this land, bringing peace to both who lived here and to those who died in action, in pain, in sorrow and in remorse. 


Prime Attractions
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Brahma Sarovar 
Amongst the holiest of water tanks of this revered land is the Brahma Sarovar. It is a common belief that Lord Brahma, the Creator of the Universe conceived the Earth here. The water tank finds mention as "the tank resembles an ocean", in the memoirs of Al-Beruni named 'Kitab-ul-Hind'. This scholar was describing the country in the 11th century AD. 

Sannihit Sarovar
Sannihit Sarovar, a holy tank is believed to be the meeting point of seven sacred Sarasvatis. Prayers and 'pind daan' for the unnatural deaths is recommended here. By the side of this renovated kund, lie small temples of Dhruv Narayan, Lord Vishnu, Laxmi Narayan, Dhruv Bhagat, Lord Hanuman and Mother Goddess Durga. 

Sri Krishna Museum
Set up by the Kurukshetra Development Board, Sri Krishna Museum has on display varied phases of the Lord's life. Patta Chitra, Kangra, Madhubani and Pichhawai paintings, bronze collection dating to the times of the Pallava, Chola and Nayaka period. 

Gurudwara at Kurukshetra
The Sikh Gurus, like all Hindu saints, showed due veneration to recognised tenets of the Hindu faith. They visited the Hindu places of pilgrimage on holy festivals like the solar eclipse fair and gave their blessings to thousands of seekers of peace and solace. The place where Guru Nanak stayed during his sojourn at Kurukshetra is well known as 'Gurudwara Sidhbati'. 

How To Get There
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Air:
The Airports close to Kurukshetra are at Delhi and Chandigarh, which are well connected by road and rail. Taxi service is also available. 
Rail: 
Kurukshetra is a railway junction, well connected with all important towns and cities of the country. 
Road:
Buses of Haryana Roadways and other State Corporations ply through Kurukshetra and connect it to Delhi, Chandigarh and other important places. 
Tour:
Haryana Tourism runs special one-day conducted tour coaches both from Delhi and Chandigarh. Package rates including transport, food and sightseeing charges are levied. Details may be obtained from address points. 

Where to Stay: Hotels & Restaurants
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One of the most valued duties of the host town of Kurukshetra has been to set up stations for halt of pilgrims. 

Neelkanthi Krishna Dham Yatri Niwas:
This complex of Haryana Tourism is a recent construction and a few kilometres from the Railway Station as also a short drive from the National Highway#1. 

Krishna Dham: 
It has a central open courtyard, with guest rooms and dormitories built round it. 

Panchayat Bhawan (Kurukshetra): 
It also has accommodation wings. 

Parakeet at Peepli: 
Another tourist complex of Haryana Tourism where tourists may opt for air-conditioned accommodation is Parakeet at Pipli, some 5 km from Kurukshetra town. It lies on the National Highway number one, some 109 km from Chandigarh. 


