SRI KRISHNA MUSEUM
Has some historical artifacts and paintings depicting the Mahabharata war.
SCIENCE PANORAMA
A world-class panorama depicting the Mahabharata war with scientific explanations justifying every episode in the war. There are also several scientific exhibits designed to kindle a curiosity for science.
Kalpana Chawla Planetarium
The Kalpana Chawla Memorial Planetarium named after the brave daughter of Haryana Dr. Kalpana Chawla, has been developed for imparting non-formal education in Astronomy among the masses. The Planetarium is a project of Haryana State Council for Science and Technology was inaugurated by Sh. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana on July 24, 2007. The excellent programmes with hi-tech digital and optomechanical system, the supporting exhibits placed inside and outdoor will help the people at large and students in particular in learning this frontier area of Science and satisfy their curious minds with a whole range of information about the universe.
Main Attractions of the Planetarium
1.Astronomy shows
2. Exhibit Gallery
3.Astro Park
Dharohar
A must visit to know the tradition and culture of Haryana; located in Kurukshetra University.
Saraswati Forest Reserve
It is a large reserved forest area with rich flora and fauna in Kurukshetra district.
Sheikh Chehli ka makbara (tomb)
This monument is maintained by the Archeological Survey of India. It was built during the Mughal era in remembrance of Sufi Saint Sheikh Chehli, believed to be the spiritual teacher of Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh.
Sthaneshwar Mahadev Mandir
BIRLA MANDIR
BHADRAKALI MANDIR
A temple that is one of the 52 Shakti Peethas. As per the story in Hindu mythology, the goddess Sati killed herself by entering the Yagna of Raja Daksha as a protest against the insult of Lord Shiva. Remorseful Lord Shiva wandered across the whole universe with the corpse of his beloved Sati on his shoulder. To bring him back to the original mood, it was necessary to destroy the corpse of Sati. Lord Vishnu hence cut the corpse in 52 pieces with his Sudarshana Chakra. The different parts fell at different places where the temples of the goddess were later built by the devotees. Collectively, these are known as the 52 Shakti Peethas. One of them is in Kurukhsetra, where the leg of the goddess fell.
RANTUKA YAKSH OR RATNA YAKSH AT BIR PIPLI
Rantuka Yaksha is one amongst the four cardinal Yakshas of the holy land of Kurukshetra. According to Mahabharata the land between Rantuka to Arantuka and Ramahrada and Machakuka is known as Samanta Panchaka, Uttaravedi or Kurukshetra.
The shrine of Ranuka Yaksa is located on the ancient bank of river Saraswati in Bir pipli, behind police line Pipli. According to Vamana purana it was the entry point to the holy land of Kurukshetra and one was advised to initiate the pilgrimage of Kurukshetra by taking holy dip in waters of Saraswati near this tirtha and worshiping at the Rantuka Yaksha nearby.
LAKSHMI NARAYAN TEMPLE
The temple is dedicated to Lord Narayana and her consert Laxmi. Architecturally this temple is supposed to have been built in the late 18th century or beginning of 19th century.
The temple is a double storied structure stands on high platform approached by flights of steps and has three components viz. Sanctum, vesibule, and sanctum-sanctorum. The temple stands on a huge platform. The plan of the sanctum sanctrum is a Saptaratha or a structure having seven projections.
Sanctum sancrorum is a spired temple having the look of a long conical roof decorated with miniature spires or Sikhars (miniature temples) all over and all along the projected parts right from the body of the temple which is above the height of the sanctum. The main sanctum sanctroum is a samll square chamber.
Sanctum is a long coridered hall having two projected arms on either side bearing trancepted windows. The roof of the sanctum is domical. The trancepted windows are projected and have canopied structure having a vaulted roof. Sanctum is a pancharatha on plan it has five.
KUBERA TIRTHA, THANESAR
This tirtha is located on the banks of river Saraswati near Faridkot house in Thanesar. Kubera, the gaurdion of the northern quarter is considered as supreme amongest the Yakshas and treasure god of Hindu pantheon. The holy dip in the water of Saraswati near this tirtha was considered the bestower of wealth and prosperty.
PEHOWA
27 km. West of Thanesar lies Pehowa Renowned archaeologist Cunningham dates the place back to 882 A.D. Another inscription on a temple proclaims that Pehowa was built as late as 895 AD, during the region of Pratihara king Mahendrapal. Excavation has been done here from time to time have revealed the antiquity of Pehowa that is dated back to P.G.W. period or even late Harrappa period. Also interesting sculptures made of buff sand stone of various periods have been found from here. The town finds special mention in the Vaman Puran and the epic Mahabharata.
In ancient time the town was known as ‘Prithudaka’ after king Prithu. According to a legend king Rashtangu, the father of Kind Prithu was on death bed. As a lat wish, he called his son and asked him to take him to Prithudak so that he could breathe his last on the banks of the holy river Saraswati. On his father’s death, King Prithu was filled with anguish. He sat for days on the bank of this river offering ‘Shradha’. Ever since, the ritual of offering Shradha of fathers here has come into vogue.
The place where the unhappy king prayed for the salvation of his father came to be named ‘Prithidak tirtha’. Ghats and temples have built here for the pilgrims.
Other than being a centre of pilgrimage Pehowa is also known for beautiful temples and temple murals. One of the architecture grandeur of Pehowa is the Pasupati Nath Temple. Adjacent to the temple lies a Haveli which contains beautiful murals.
PASUPATINATH TEMPLE PEHWA
One of the oldest among the existing temples is Pashupatinath Temple. This temple is built around 16-17th Century. Infact the temple complex has as many a five temples which may not be contemporary to one another. However the temple which is called Pashupatinath temple is oldest among these temples. Architecturally the tmeple resembles that of Laksmi Narayana temple at Kurukshetra on the bank of Sannehit. This temple is dedicated to Pashupatinath who is the 24th incarriation of Shiva. Pehowa in the Thanesar region had a very strong tradition of Savisim; spectrally known for its Pashupata cult. This is one of the few rare temples dedicated to Lord Shiva’s Pasupati form. However, no image of Pasupati is worshipped here. Instead, a huge black Shiva Linga made of chlorite schist is worshipped by the people.
TEMPLE OF PRACHI
Prachi is one of the important pilgrimages of Kurukshetra. It is located 28 kilometers from Kurukshetra in Pehowa sub division. The literal meaning of prachi is east. The easterly flow of Saraswati is known as Prachi Sarasvati. On the bank of ancient Saraswati is known as Prachi important temples. Originally some stone temples belonging to 9th-10th century A.D. existed here. However due to the onslaught of time and climatic conditions these have been destroyed. The reminiscence of the temples in the form of its doorjamb, exquisitely carved sculptures at the entrance of tirtha is the testimony to the existence of ancient temples. At present on the bank of the Prachi tirtha still stands the late medieval temples dated back to 17th-18th century. The most important and collosal among edifices is the Shiva temple on the northern side of Prachi tirtha.
SARASVATI TIRATH PEHOWA
This tirath is located 26 kilometres from Kurukshetra in Pehowa town. This is one of the supreme pilgrimages dedicated to sarasvati the Vedic river. Accoriding to Mahabharata and Vaman Purana, Kurukshetra was located on the south of Saraswati. Presently, however, the tirath is noted for its association with Pind daan or offering made to the departed souls. Here lies a huge tank called Saraswati tirath where thousands of people come to offer ‘Shradha’ for their ancestral soul.
BRAHMAYONI TIRTHA, PEHOWA
This tirath is located 26 kilometre from Kurukshetra in Pehowa town. In the Mahabharat it is mentioned that those who take a bath with purity and devotion attain the Brahmloka and thereby liberty his ancestals. In the Vaman puran it is mentioned that lord Brahama conceived the concept of caste viz Brahman,Kshetria, Vaishya and Shudhra at Brahmayoni.
PRITHUDAK TIRATH PEHOWA
The tirath is located 26 kilometre from Kurukshetra in Pehowa town. Amongst the tirthas in Kurukshetra on the bank of Sarasvati, Prithudak is considered to be the most important one. According to Mahabharata the tirath gives all the merits that one can attain from a tirtha. It is also mentioned in the Puranas that there was King named Prithudak after whom this tirath was named. The king was known for his sacrifice and devotion to his father. Archaeologically speaking the temple and its adjoining area is immensely a rich age noticed from the existing temple brick structures, paintings (Murals) and inscription dated back the time of Pratihar Mahendra Pal.
ARUNAI TIRATH
The tirath is located six kilometre away on the Ambala Road at Pehowa or 31 kilometre from Krukshetra town. This is one of the important pilgrimages associated with the saints Vashishta and Vishwamittra. The place is also significant for being the meeting points of the rivers Saraswati and Aruna. Mahabharata and Vamana Puran vividly describe about the significance of this tirath. However, presently the tirath is not known for the story narrated in the epic and the purana rather famous for being a Shivaite centre called Sangameshwar Mahadev temple. Here lies a temple dedicated to Shiva or Sangmaeshwar Mahadev adjoining to a small tank. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees thronged to the temple regularly.
PHALGU TIRTHA, PHARAL
Phalgu tirtha is located at Pharal, 33 km away from Kurukshetra on the Kaithal Kurukshetra road. The tirtha is named after a saint named ‘Phalgu’. The place Pharal is also known as one of the seven ancient forests of Kurukshetra region. The names of the forests are Kamyak van, Aditi van, Vyasa van, Suryavan, Madhuvan, Sitvan and Phalki van or Pharal. Phalki van happens to be the prominent among the seven forests of Kurukshetra. This tirtha has been revered both in the Mahabharata and Vamana Purana. According to Mahabharata in the context of the significance various tirtha’s and their merits it is mentioned that the Devins beings used to do their penance with austerity for hundreds of years at this Phalgu tirtha. Thus in their journey of pilgrimage the pilgrims are advised to visit Phalgu or Pharal.
According to a popular legend of this region there was a demon called Gayasur who used to dwell in this forest. He had vowed that he would give his three daughters in marriage to the person who could defeat him in the battle. Having learnt this news the saint Phalgu accepted the challenge and by defeating the demon Gayasur he married the three daughters. Gayasur bestowed a boon to Phalgu that the place where saint Phalgu lives will be of immense significance from the point of view of offering of ‘Pinda’ (food offered to the souls after death of an individual). On the day of Somavati Amavasya in the month of Sravan (August-September) falling during the Pitri Paksha or black fortnight. Somavati amavasya in pitrapaksha in the month of Sravan is a rare occasion as it comes once in every 10 or 12 years only. This is a special day for the offering of ‘Pinda’ to the souls for the people of northern India. Hence people from all over northern India come here to offer ‘Pinda’ to their forefathers. Incidentally, on this particular day no ‘Pinda’ is offered at Gaya, the regular, tirtha exclusively meant for ‘Pind dan’ where throughout the year the pinda daan is don. Therefore, Pharal has thiws special privilege on this day and treated as the Gaya of Northern India which enable the people to perform ‘Pinda’ daan.
PAVANHRAD TIRTHA, PABNAWA
This tirtha is located at Pavnava village. It is 18 km away from Kurukshetra and 13 km away from Pehow. This is the only tirtha associated with Pavan (Wind God). The word Pavanhrad constitute of two word viz. pavan meaning meaning wind and Hrad meaning lake. Therefore, the lake associated with pavan is called pavanhrad. Pavana is a distorted version of Pavanhrad.
Mahabharata associates this tirtha with Pavan or wind God whereas Vamana Puranav links it both Mahadeva and Pavan. However, Padma Purana associates this tirtha with saint Dadhichi.
Eulogizing its significance Mahabharata states that those who take bath in this holy tank are worshipped and respected in the Vishnulok. According to vaman puran and padma purana pavanhrad is supreme among the 49 Maruta tirthas and those who take a holy dip here achieve highest status in the vayulok.
Having had a bath in the sacred tank the pilgrim should visit the shiva temple as that will remove all the sins and thereby enable the pilgrim to reach Shivalok.
KAPIL MUNI TIRTHA
Kalayat, a village near Narwana is known for its ancient heritage. It is one of the popular pilgrimages of ancient Kurukshetra called 48 kos Kurukshetra Bhumi.The tirtha is dedicated to Saint Kapila,the author of Sankhya philosophy.
The sacred land of Kurukshetra comprises of 48 kos which is equivalent to 192 miles on a circuit. With in this 48 kos are located numerous pilgrimages or tirthas of ancient times dedicated to various ancient Rishis or Saints and incidents of Mahabharata and Puranas. One of the important tirthas of Kurukshetra is called Kapila tirtha or Kapil Muni tirtha located 80 km from Kurukshetra on Kaithal-Nawana road which is about 29 km from Kaithal in a small village called Kalayat. Kalayat is a distorted version of Kapilayat or Kapil and Kalayat are one and the same according to scholars. Kapila was an ancient philosopher known for his extraordinary works of Sankhya. It is Sankhya which is once again vividly elaborated in the second chapter of Bhagawad Gita which was expounded here at Kurukshetra from the mouth of Lord Krishna on the battle filled at the outset of battle of Mahabharata.
Kalayat possess one of the rarest architectural monuments of Northern India in the form of a brick temple. The temple was built by a legendary king Salwan in the 7th century AD. This temple is one of the few brick temples of India which have survived the onslaught of time and clime. Molded bricks have been used in this temple for various decorative parts of the temple façade. This is a Panchratha temple built in Nagara style with typical curvilinear spire. There is also another similar temple standing opposite the tank which has been restored by the Archaeological Dept.
O P JINDAL PARK AND MUSICAL FOUNTAIN
The ‘O P Jindal Park and Musical Fountain’ has been developed in the fond memory of Late Shri O.P. Jindal (7th August 1930 – 31st March 2005) Power Minister, Haryana (2005) renowned industrialist, philanthropist, savior of farmers and the weaker sections of society.
Spread across an area of 14 acres, the ‘O P Jindal Park and Musical Fountain’ is dedicated to the Nation in fond memory of the great leader, Sh. O. P. Jindal.
This park aims to provide a different experience to people in various age groups, whether a toddler or an elderly person; there is something in it for everyone. There is a toddlers’ area with lots of colorful swings, sports area for grown-ups, picnic area, sit outs for elderly people, attractive animal zoo area, meditation garden, jogging area and a striking rose garden. The ‘O P Jindal Park’ is the place where one can get inner peace; explore themselves in a meditative environment. Besides the scenic beauty and entertainment, one can also feel positive energy and spiritual vibes. A place where children and families can go and have a good time.
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Temples and Places of Interest - Kurukshetra
