Kurukshetra is a well known district in Haryana, which is named after the King Kuru of Bharata Dynasty, ancestor of Pandavas and Kauravas. This place is famous as it is believed that this was the battle ground where Kauravas & Pandavas fought for the kingdom of Hastinapur.
There is a Brahma Sarovar here which is huge and very famous. It is believed that Lord Brahma (the Creator as per Hindu mythology) created the universe from the land of Kurukshetra after a huge yagna. The Brahma Sarovar here is believed to be the cradle of civilization. Every year this pond sees lakhs of pilgrims coming from all corners of India to take a holy dip. A sacred shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva also stands within the sarovar and is accessible by a small bridge.
The most famous site in kurukshetra is the “Jyotisar” – ‘Jyoti’ means light and ‘Sar’ means the core meaning. Hence the name of place literally means the ‘core meaning of light’ or ultimately of God. A Vat (Banyan tree) stands on a raised platform. Local traditions say that this tree is an offshoot of the holy Banyan tree under which Lord Krishna delivered the sermon of Bhagavad Gita, the doctrine of Karma and Dharma to his wavering friend Arjuna. It is here that he showed his Virat rupa (Universal form), the terrifying image of Himself as the Destroyer God. A marble chariot depicting Lord Krishna delivering the sermon to Arjuna marks the site of the Srimad Bhagwad Gita. In one secluded section of this center, an old Shiva temple can also be seen.
Another famous tourist attraction of Kurukshetra is the quiet, peaceful and beautiful “Sheikh Chehli ka Makbara” which is a tomb built during Mughal period in remembrance of Sufi Saint Sheikh Chehli, believed to be the spiritual teacher of Mughal Prince, Dara Shikoh.
This place can be visited any time of the year and doesn’t take more than a day to see all the famous spots in the city. And this place boasts of a lot many temples which have their own mythological importance but are much smaller and do not attract many tourists.
When I went there, we drove down in our car from Karnal in the morning and had reached Brahma Sarovar in a couple of hours. It was a beautiful site with cool waters to dip your feet or take a full body dip in. After spending some time at Brahma Sarovar, we went to see the place where Geeta sermon was delivered at the Jyotisar… It was an amazing experience to be at a holy spot like this one. Very calm and quiet! The best part about this place is not many tourists are found every day, so it is well maintained, clean and quiet. After taking a round around the holy Banyan tree, we visited all the temples adjacent to this place. Then we proceeded to see the Sheikh Chilli ka makbara, wow that was another very calm and quiet place. A place where you get the feeling that really someone has been put to rest! After spending a couple of hours visiting all these places and a few more temples, of which I don’t even remember the names we headed back home in late afternoon.
By: Ruchi Chandra
Posts Tagged ‘Hindu Mythology’
Kurukshetra – The Battle Ground of Mahabharata – A Very Less Traveled Destination in India
January 24th, 2010Pushkar Travel Gives You a Glimpse of Indian Hospitality
December 3rd, 2009
India is a country that thrives on diversity and her unity lies in coexisting harmoniously with people of different faiths and beliefs. Among the many pilgrimage destinations that India can boost of, it holds a special place in the heart of every Hindu. Located about 11 kilometers from Ajmer in the colorful land of Rajasthan, this is home to more than 400 temples. Not only a Hindu, but tourists from all over the country and the globe have found a peace and tranquility that is unique to Pushkar. Many stories from ancient Hindu mythology come to life in front of one’s eyes once he sets his foot on the holy land of Pushkar. A travel is guaranteed to make your trip worthwhile and present you with memories that are bound to last a lifetime.
If you have made Pushkar travel plans, it is best to seek the advice and guidance of a local or a person who frequents the place, as it would make your trip around the place much more comfortable and convenient. Starting from an arrangement of vehicles to a place of boarding, a travel itinerary should be well planned in advance. Just a single day visit will not do justice to the beauty of Pushkar and you must travel with sufficient time in your hands. The temples to be included in your planned this travel should definitely contain a visit to the Brahma temple. It is considered to be the only place in the entire country that has a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma, who is believed to be the sole creator according to Hinduism. Mythology speaks of a story wherein the lord Brahma had dropped lotus petals from his hand on a piece of land that we now know as Pushkar. The name is derived from this incident literally wherein ‘pushp’ means a flower in the Sanskrit language and ‘kar’ means a hand.
When you embark on a planned Pushkar travel be sure to include this famous Brahma temple which boosts of unique architecture and was built around the 14th century. Beautiful marble steps lead up to the temple where a silver turtle has been embossed on the floor facing the sanctorum. Hundreds of silver coins are also embedded in the floor which adds to the majestic beauty of this holy place. Images of the Indian national bird peacock and the Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning and music, adorn the walls of the temple. Saraswati was also believed to be the consort of Lord Brahma and hence she has been featured prominently in the design of the temple. The idol of Brahma is portrayed in a lifelike manner with four heads and four hands, facing the four different directions.
Besides the above mentioned decorations and architecture, there is much more to see and be awed in the temples that should definitely be included in your travel. The famous lakes of it also deserve a visit by anyone who decides to visit Pushkar. So when you draw up your plans to visit Rajasthan, ensure that you check into any of the magnificent resorts in Pushkar and pay a true tribute to this holy pilgrimage site of every Hindu.
By: Rajendra Sharma
Rivers in India – Streams of Faith
November 29th, 2009
India is a land of great physical diversity with its mountains, plateaus, valleys, waterfalls, etc. Such a large country in area is bound to have these various physical features. But rivers in the country hold a special place in the lives of the people. There are many rivers in India and most of them do a lot more than just supply water to people.
Since ancient times, rivers have held a very important position in one’s lives. These are considered holy, especially according to the Hindu mythology. At all big occasions, people go and take a dip in rivers like Ganga so as to purify their souls. Also, there are other rivers too in various parts of the country which have some mythological importance or the other and therefore are considered holy.
Also, India being an agricultural country, a major role is played by these rivers in providing irrigation to the fields. If it would not have been for these rivers like Yamuna, Kosi, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Kaveri etc, India would not have been flourishing. The water for irrigation of all the crops is provided by the rivers itself.
Other than the religious importance and irrigation, there is a lot more that is provided by the rivers. It is an important means of transportation. Also, electricity is provided by these rivers to a large population. Also, it is a source of employment to a number of people. Even tourism is promoted to a great extent by these rivers. A lot of adventure sports are being done in these rivers which has made them an attraction for tourists.
The rivers of India have a special place in the hearts of the people, so much so that they even worship them. A glimpse of the beautiful landscaping that these rivers have would enchant any one and attract them towards the culture of the country all the more.
By: Sonal Arya
