[ Hindi ]

HISTORY OF KURUKSHETRA

            Kurukshetra is probably the most famous religious site in India and one of the most ancient places of pilgrimage in the world. The name of Kurukshetra derives from a tribe, Kuru. By the evidence of its name and its archaeological remains there can be no doubts that Kurukshetra was occupied by the Aryans. The city is said to be as old as the Rigveda, and was also caqlled Saryanvat.

            According to Mahabharat the land between the Saraswati and Drishdvati was called Kurukshetra, which covered an area of five yojanas in radius. The territory between Tarantuka and Arantuka and between Machkruka  and Ramhrada is called Kurukshetra, Samant Panchaka and the Northern Vedi of Brahma. Kurukshetra derives its religious sanctity from more than one source. Its religious importance has been described as the land of righteousness in Rigveda, Sathpath Brahaman, Jabali Upnishad, Puranas, Bhagwat Gita, Mahabharat and other religious books.

            Kurukshetra has been delcared as the land of Dharma or righteousness in the very first shloka of Srimadbhagwad Gita and it is quite evident that the name Kurukshetra was prevelent even before the great war of Mahabharat. It was after the name of King Kuru, the ancestor of Kauravas and Pandavas this place was called Kurukshetra. Prior to the name of Kurukshetra this place of pilgrim was known as 'Brahmkshetra', 'Bhrigukshetera', 'Aryavarat' and 'Samant Panchak ' etc. All these names can be found in the holy pages of Mahabharat.