Kurukshetra, Haryana

Why this place matters

Kurukshetra is the field of the Mahabharata and the place where, by tradition, Krishna taught the Bhagavad Gita. The Puranas call it Dharmakshetra and count it among the most sanctified lands, with many tirthas spread over a wide area. The region is traditionally described as forty-eight kos (an old measure of distance) of sacred land.

For ancestor rites, the main attractions are the two sacred tanks in the town, Brahma Sarovar and Sannihit Sarovar. Tradition says that the waters of all tirthas gather in the Sannihit Sarovar on a new moon day, and that a bath or rite here at an eclipse or on Amavasya is especially fruitful. Many people also remember the war dead of the Mahabharata and their own forebears here.

Rituals performed here

• Brahma Sarovar: A large tank, said by tradition to have been created by Brahma. Pilgrims bathe, offer Tarpan and perform Pind Daan on its banks. The evening aarti is a popular sight.
• Sannihit Sarovar: A tank associated with the gathering of all sacred waters. Pilgrims come here on Amavasya, especially Somvati Amavasya, and at solar eclipses, to bathe and perform Shraddha and Pind Daan.
• Pehowa and other tirthas: Nearby Pehowa, on the Saraswati, is another place for ancestor rites. Jyotisar, associated with the Gita, is visited by many.

Priests at the tanks guide the usual order: bath, vow, Tarpan, then Shraddha with pindas. Traditions vary; follow your family's custom or your priest's guidance. For the general method see the Tarpan vidhi and Pind Daan vidhi guides on this site.

Best time to visit

Traditional occasions. Amavasya days are the principal occasions for ancestors, with Somvati Amavasya (Amavasya on a Monday) and solar eclipses seen as especially significant. Large crowds gather at both tanks at eclipse times. Pitru Paksha is also observed here. Gita Jayanti is celebrated with an international festival in the cold season.

Practical season. October to March is pleasant, with cool days and cold nights, though December and January can be foggy and quite cold. April to June is very hot. July to September is hot and humid with monsoon showers. Eclipse and large Amavasya days bring heavy crowds, with restrictions on vehicles near the tanks.

Planning your visit

The priests at Kurukshetra's tanks are called pandas or purohits; many families have a hereditary connection with one. Ask your elders.

• Book through an official or well-reviewed channel, and agree on the scope of the rite and the dakshina (dakshina = the priest's offering) before beginning. Do not be led by touts near the bus stand, the station or the tank entrance.
• Time needed: a Tarpan and Shraddha takes a few hours. Allow one day, and more if you want to see Jyotisar and other places or add Pehowa.
• Getting there: Kurukshetra Junction is a railway station on the Delhi to Ambala route. The nearest large airports are Delhi and Chandigarh, each a few hours away by road.
• What to wear and carry: modest clothes you can bathe in and change out of, a towel, sandals, a warm layer in winter, a hat in summer, drinking water.

Practical tips

• On eclipse days, authorities may restrict access, impose crowd controls or close entry points at short notice. Follow official notices rather than rumours.
• Keep an eye on children and elderly relatives at crowded ghats.
• Stay in the town or nearby for early mornings; the main tanks are best visited at dawn.
• Book rooms in advance for Amavasya days, eclipses and Gita Jayanti.
• Official information is available from the Kurukshetra Development Board, the Haryana tourism department and the district administration.