48 kos parikrama
The 48 kos parikrama is a parikrama of various Mahabharata-related and other Vedic-era tirthas around the Hindu holy city of Kurukshetra in the state of Haryana, India.
Associated with Krishna and the Mahabharata, it is an important place of pilgrimage for Hindus. It is one of three major pilgrimages related to Krishna in North India, the others being the "Braj parikarma" in Mathura in Uttar Pradesh state and "Dwarka parkarma" at Dwarkadhish Temple in Gujarat state.
Kurukshetra Development Board
Kurukshetra Development Board was established to develop the 48 Kos Parikrama of Kurukshetra, its tirthas and related activities.Main sites
Hindu and Jain pilgrimage
Brahma Sarovar is the focal site of this circuit, which can be subdivided into various other itineraries.Within Kurukshetra, along with Brahma Sarovar, other important sites are Jyotisar and Sannihit Sarovar. Pilgrims also visit the Bhishama kund, Surya kund and Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple
In addition, pilgrims also visit Pehowa, where the most revered sites are Saraswati tirtha and Prithudak tirtha. Pehowa is an ancient city and its religious significance is mentioned in several puranas, such as Skanda Purana, Markandeya Purana and Vamana Purana.
In Yamunanagar district, Kapal Mochan and Sri Sarasvati Udgam Tirath at Adi Badri are also important sacred sites.
Many pilgrims like to trace their genealogy going back hundreds of generation, trace prior visits by their ancestors and record their own visit in the Hindu genealogy registers of Kurukshetra and Hindu genealogy registers of Pehowa maintained by Pandas.
; List of most important sacred sites
- Kurukshetra: Brahma Sarovar, Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple, Sannihit Sarovar, Jyotisar, Hindu genealogy registers of Kurukshetra
- Pehowa: Saraswati tirtha and Prithudak tirtha
- Yamunanagar district: Kapal Mochan and Adi Badri
Buddhist pilgrimage
Buddha had visited Sthaneshwar and gave discourse on the banks of Brahma Sarovar where a Bodh Stupa was built. Stupa has five structures of brunt brick, first three from Kushana period, 4th from Gupta period, and the last from Verdana period and later medieval period. During Harshavardhana reign, a 3 meters wide compound wall was built.For the Buddhist pilgrims, the most important sites are Brahma Sarovar and the Bodh Stupa on its northwestern flank. Other Buddhist pilgrimage sites nearby Buddhist sites include Chaneti, Topra, and Adi Badri Sharirika stupa. Many pilgrims prefer to follow the path taken by Buddha along Grand Trunk Road in Haryana. Stupas, pagodas and places in the order of travel by Buddha are:
- From Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, Buddha travelled along Grand Trunk Road in Haryana.
- Kamashpura Aastha Pugdal Pagoda in Sonipat city, the place where Buddha gave Mahasatipatthana sutta.
- Assandh Kushan stupa at Assandh in Karnal district
- Kurukshetra Stupa on the banks of sacred Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra city was also visited by Hieun Tsang,
- Topra between Kurukshetra and Yamunanagar, now has a large open air museum park housing several replica of Ashoka's edicts including largest Ashoka Chakra in the world, original site of Ashokan pillar which was moved to Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi in 1356 CE by Firuz Shah Tughlaq.
- Srughna, now known as the Sugh Ancient Mound, on outskirts of Yamunanagar city
- Chaneti Buddhist Stupa, on outskirts of Yamunanagar city, according to Hieun Tsang it was built by the King Ashoka.
Sikh pilgrimage
Several Sikh gurus had visited Sthaneshwar, Pehowa and Kapal Mochan for the holy dip.In Kurukshetra, Sikh pilgrims visit Brahma Sarovar and the "Gurudawara Pehli Patshai". Following the trail of Sikh gurus, the pilgrims also visit Pehowa as well as Kapal Mochan. Kapal Mochan was visited by Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh after Battle of Bhangani in 1688 CE.
Other important Sikh pilgrimage sites are Sadaura, Lohgarh and Badkhalsa in Sonipat (where Bhai Kushal offered his head to retrieve Guru Teg Bhadur's head beheaded by mughals so that it can be taken to Anandpur Sahib
Genealogy registers
Hindu genealogy registers of Kurukshetra are kept at Pehowa and Sannihit Sarovar.Number of visitors
In 2019, over 40 lakh people had attended the Gita Mahotsav festival in December.Tirtha development
Govt is undertaking steps to revive ancient Sarasati river, develop ghats and in-situ plantation of panchavati trees. Visitors facilities such as roads, shades, water, toilet, landscaping, parking, cafe, interpretation centres etc. are also being developed.The Panchavati trees, are trees scared to Indian-origin religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, such trees are the Vata, Ashvattha, Bilva, Amalaki, Ashoka, Udumbara, Nimba and Shami. See also sacred groves of India.
From June 2014 to July 2021, ₹31.48 crore have been spent by the Haryana government on the development and upgrade of 81 tirthas of '48-kos parikrama'. Improving the standard of cleanliness of tiraths has been raised an issue. Ghats, and visitor facilities, such as toilet, shelter, water, parking, etc. are being developed.
In 2021, it was announced that to develop Kurukshetra as a cultural hub, the by the Government of India will develop the Buddha Haryana circuit and a Sikh museum in Kurukshetra as all 10 Sikh gurus and Buddha had made yatra to Kurukshetra.
List of pilgrimage sites in 48 kos parikrama
At least 134 Tirthas have been identified. Some of the pilgrimages are listed below:Tirthas of [Kurukshetra district]
1. Arunai tirtha, Arunai2. Prachi tirtha, Pehowa
3. Saraswati tirtha, Pehowa
4. Brahmayoni tirtha, Pehowa
5. Prithudak tirtha, Pehowa
6. Shalihotra tirtha, Sarsa, Kurukshetra
7. Bhisma Kund, Narkatari
8. Ban Ganga, Dyalpur, Kurukshetra
9. Kulotaran Tirtha, Kirmich
10. Brahma Sarovar, Kurukshetra where Hindu genealogy registers are kept and Kurukshetra Panorama and Science Centre and Dharohar Museum are nearby.
11. Sannihit Sarovar, Kurukshetra:
12.Bhadrakali Temple, Kurukshetra
13. Aditi Tirtha and Abhimanyu ka Tila, Abhimanyupur
14. Jyotisar: The famous site where SGitaupadesha to Arjuna under the tree.
15. Som Tirtha, Sainsa
16. Shukra Tirtha, Sataura
17. Galav Tirtha, Guldehra
18. Saptasarsvta Tirtha, Mangna
19. Brhma Tirtha, Thana, Kurukshetra
20. Som Tirtha, Gumthala Garhu
21. Manipurak Tirtha, Murtjapur, Kurukshetra
22. Bhurishrava Tirtha, Bhor Saidan
23. Lomash Tirtha, Lohar Majra
24. Kamyak Tirtha, Kamauda
25. Aapga Tirtha, Mirjapur, Kurukshetra
26. Karan ka Tila, Mirjapur
27. Nabhikamal, Thanesar
28. Rantuk Yaksha, Bid Pipli
29. Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple
30. Ojas Titha, Samsipur
31. Renuka Tirtha, Ranacha
32. Bhor Saidan
Tirthas of [Jind district]
32. Bhuteshwar tirtha, Jind33. Ekhamsa tirtha, Ikkas
34. Ramhrad tirtha, Ramrai, Haryana
35. Sannehit tirtha, Ramrai
36. Pushkar tirtha, Pohkeri Kheri
37. Som tirtha, Pindara
38. Varahakalan tirtha, Braha Kalan
39. Ashwinikumar tirtha, Aasan, Haryana
40. Jamdagni tirtha, Jamni
41. Yayati tirtha, Kalwa, Haryana
42. Panchnanda tirtha, Haat
43. Sarpadadhi tirtha, Safidon: by 2021 ₹1.08 crore was spent on Hansraj tirtha development at Safidon.
44. Hansraj tirtha, Safidon: by 2021 ₹1.08 crore was spent on tirtha development.
45. Khatwanesghwar, Narwana: by 2021 ₹1 crore was spent on tirtha development.
44. Sarpadaman tirtha, Safindon
45. Kayashodan tirtha, Kasuhan
46. Vamsamulam tirtha, Barsola
47. Khageshwar tirtha, Khadalwa
48. Ramsar tirtha, Kuchrana Kalan
49. Lohrishi/Lokodwar tirtha, Lodhar
Tirthas of [Panipat district]
50. Tarntauk Yaksha, SinkhTirthas of [Kaithal district]
51. Pawanhrad tirtha, Pabnawa52. Falgu tirtha, Faral
53. Pawaneshwar tirtha, Pharal
54. Kapil Muni tirtha, Kalayat
55. Pundrik tirtha, Pundri
56. Trivishtap tirtha, Tyontha
57. Kotikut tirtha, Kyodak / Keorak: by 2021 ₹1.02 crore was spent on tirtha development.
58. Banteshwar tirtha, Barot, Haryana
59. Namish tirtha, Nauch, Haryana
60. Vedvati tirtha, Balwanti
61. Vridkedar tirtha, Kaithal
62. Sarak tirtha, Shergarh, Kaithal
63. Manush tirtha, Manas, Kaithal
64. Navadurga tirtha, Devigarh, Kaithal
65. Gyaraharudri tirtha, Kaithal
66. Aapga tirtha, Gadli
67. Juhomi tirtha, Hajwana
68. Vishnupada tirtha, Barsana, Kaithal
69. Yajnasanjna tirtha, Geong
70. Kapilmuni tirtha, Kaul
71. Kulotaran tirtha, Kaul
72. Garhratheshwar tirtha, Kaul
73. Matri tirtha, Rasulpur, Kaithal
74. Suryakunda tirtha, Habri : by 2021 ₹67 lakh was spent on tirtha development, more budget will be spent as it was still in the initial stage of development.
75. Havya tirtha, Bhana
76. Chakramani tirtha, Sherda: by 2021 ₹1 crore was spent on tirtha development, second phase of which was still underway.
77. Rasamangal tirtha, Songhal: by 2021 ₹1.30 crore was spent on development of Kukrityanshan and Rasamangal tirhtas. Ghats conference hall, toilet were built.
78. Mukteshwar tirtha, Mator, Kaithal: by 2021 ₹1.92 crore was spent on tirtha development.
79. Sritirtha, Kasan,
80. Srikunja tirtha, Banpura
81. Ekshumati tirtha, Theh Polar partially excavated ancient archaeological mound associated with the rishi Pulastya.
82. Sutirtha tirtha, Sontha
83. Brahmavarta tirtha, Brabhavat
84. Aruntak Yaksha, Beharjaksha
85. Sringi Rishi tirtha/ Shankhni Devi tirtha, Sangan
86. Gobhwan tirtha, Guhana
87. Suryakunda, Sajuma
88. Seetvan/Swaragdwara tirtha, Siwan, Kaithal
89. Brombhodumber tirtha, Shila Kheri
90. Anyajanma tirtha, Deoda Kheri
91. Devi tirtha, Kalsi, Kaithal
92. Dhruvakunda tirtha, Dherdu
93. Kukrityanashan tirtha, Kaukat: by 2021 ₹1.05 crore was spent on development of Kukrityanshan and Rasamangal tirthas.
94. Kavya tirtha, Karoda
95. Lavakusha tirtha, Mundri
96. Vamana tirtha, Sounghal
97. Rinmochan tirtha, Rasina
98. Alepak tirtha, Shakra
99. Devi tirtha, Mohna
100. Gandharva tirtha, Gohran Kheri
Tirthas of [Karnal district]
101. Vedvati tirtha, Sitamai102. Mishrak tirtha, Nisang
103. Aahan tirtha, Nigdu
104. Trigunananda tirtha, Guniyana
105. Pawan tirtha, Uplana
106. Jambunand tirtha, Jabala
107. Dasshswamedha tirtha, Salwan, Karnal
108. Dhankshetra tirtha, Assandh
109. Jarasandha ka kila, Assandh
110. Vimalsar tirtha, Saga, Karnal
111. Dasaratha tirtha/Raghvendra tirtha/Surya kund, Aaugandh
112. Prithavi tirtha, Balu, Karnal
113. Parashar tirtha, Bahalolpur
114. Daksheshwar tirtha, Dachar
115. Vyasa Sthali, Basthali
116. Goutam rishi/ Gavendra tirtha, Gondar, Karnal
117. Brahma tirtha, Sawant, Karnal
118. Akshyavata tirtha, Badthal
119. Falgu tirtha, Fafdana
120. Jyesthashrama tirtha, Borshyam
121. Koti tirtha, Borshyam
122. Surya tirtha, Borshyam
123. Vishnuhrad Vamnak tirtha, Borshyam
124. Brahma tirtha, Rasalwa
125. Anjani tirtha, Anjanthali
126. Jamdagni tirtha, Jalmana
127. Sudin and Narvada tirtha, Omkar ka Khera
128. Tripurari tirtha, Tigri, Karnal
129. Som tirtha, Samana Bahu
130. Chuchukaranva tirtha, Chorkarsa
131. Koti tirtha, Kurnal
132. Panchdeva tirtha, Pada, Karnal
: by 2021 ₹64 lakh was spent on tirtha development for construction of five ponds, a ghat and shelter.
133. Prokshini tirtha, Patnapuri
134. Kaushiki tirtha, Koyar
135. Kultaran tirtha, Karsa Dod