The 48 kos parikrama is a parikrama (a circumbabulatory pilgrimage) of various Mahabharata-related and other Vedic-era tirthas (Hindu sacred sites) 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 (KDB) was established to develop the 48 Kos Parikrama of Kurukshetra, its tirthas and related activities.
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 (place of "Gitaupadesha" - the first Upadeà Âa or discourse of Bhagavad Gita by Krishna) and Sannihit Sarovar (Hindu genealogy registers of Kurukshetra are kept here). Pilgrims also visit the Bhishama kund, Surya kund and Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple (where Pandavas along with Krishna prayed to Shiva to receive his blessings for victory in the battle of Mahabharata)
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 (1st to 5th century CE), Markandeya Purana (4th to 6th century CE) and Vamana Purana (5th to 11th century CE).
In Yamunanagar district, Kapal Mochan (Kapal Mochan (visited by Rama) and Sri Sarasvati Udgam Tirath at Adi Badri (place where deified mother goddess Sarasvati is revered because the sacred Sarasvati River enters the plains from the foothills of shivalik range) 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 (professional genealogists).
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:
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" (just next to Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple on the south bank of Brahma Sarovar where the ninth Guru Tegh Bahadur stayed at). 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 (capital of Banda Singh Bahadur) 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}.
Hindu genealogy registers of Kurukshetra are kept at Pehowa and Sannihit Sarovar.
In 2019, over 40 lakh (4 million) people had attended the Gita Mahotsav festival in December.
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 (ficus benghalensis, Banyan), Ashvattha (ficus religiosa, Peepal), Bilva (aegle marmelos, Bengal Quince), Amalaki (phyllanthus emblica, Indian Gooseberry, Amla), Ashoka (Saraca asoca, Ashok), Udumbara (ficus racemosa, Cluster Fig, Gular), Nimba (Azadirachta indica, Neem) and Shami (prosopis spicigera, Indian Mesquite). See also sacred groves of India.
From June 2014 to July 2021, â¹31.48 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 (pilgrimage) to Kurukshetra.
At least 134 Tirthas (sacred sites) have been identified. Some of the pilgrimages are listed below:
1. Arunai tirtha, Arunai<br/> 2. Prachi tirtha, Pehowa<br/> 3. Saraswati tirtha, Pehowa<br/> 4. Brahmayoni tirtha, Pehowa<br/> 5. Prithudak tirtha, Pehowa<br/> 6. Shalihotra tirtha, Sarsa, Kurukshetra<br/> 7. Bhisma Kund, Narkatari<br/> 8. Ban Ganga, Dyalpur, Kurukshetra<br/> 9. Kulotaran Tirtha, Kirmich<br/> 10. Brahma Sarovar, Kurukshetra where Hindu genealogy registers are kept and Kurukshetra Panorama and Science Centre and Dharohar Museum are nearby.<br/> 11. Sannihit Sarovar, Kurukshetra:<br/>
12.Bhadrakali Temple, Kurukshetra<br/> 13. Aditi Tirtha and Abhimanyu ka Tila, Abhimanyupur<br/> 14. Jyotisar: The famous site where SGitaupadesha (Bhagavad Gita was revealed) to Arjuna under the tree.<br/> 15. Som Tirtha, Sainsa<br/> 16. Shukra Tirtha, Sataura<br/> 17. Galav Tirtha, Guldehra<br/> 18. Saptasarsvta Tirtha, Mangna<br/> 19. Brhma Tirtha (Brahma Sthan), Thana, Kurukshetra<br/> 20. Som Tirtha, Gumthala Garhu<br/> 21. Manipurak Tirtha, Murtjapur, Kurukshetra<br/>
22. Bhurishrava Tirtha, Bhor Saidan<br/> 23. Lomash Tirtha, Lohar Majra<br/> 24. Kamyak Tirtha, Kamauda<br/> 25. Aapga Tirtha, Mirjapur, Kurukshetra<br/> 26. Karan ka Tila, Mirjapur<br/> 27. Nabhikamal, Thanesar<br/> 28. Rantuk Yaksha, Bid Pipli<br/> 29. Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple<br/> 30. Ojas Titha, Samsipur<br/> 31. Renuka Tirtha, Ranacha<br/> 32. Bhor Saidan
32. Bhuteshwar tirtha, Jind<br/> 33. Ekhamsa tirtha, Ikkas<br/> 34. Ramhrad tirtha, Ramrai, Haryana<br/> 35. Sannehit tirtha, Ramrai<br/> 36. Pushkar tirtha, Pohkeri Kheri<br/> 37. Som tirtha, Pindara<br/>
38. Varahakalan tirtha, Braha Kalan<br/> 39. Ashwinikumar tirtha, Aasan, Haryana<br/> 40. Jamdagni tirtha, Jamni<br/> 41. Yayati tirtha, Kalwa, Haryana<br/> 42. Panchnanda tirtha (Hatkeshwar tirtha), Haat<br/> 43. Sarpadadhi tirtha, Safidon: by 2021 â¹1.08 crore was spent on Hansraj tirtha development at Safidon.<br/> 44. Hansraj tirtha, Safidon: by 2021 â¹1.08 crore was spent on tirtha development.<br/> 45. Khatwanesghwar, Narwana: by 2021 â¹1 crore was spent on tirtha development.
44. Sarpadaman tirtha, Safindon<br/> 45. Kayashodan tirtha, Kasuhan<br/> 46. Vamsamulam tirtha, Barsola<br/> 47. Khageshwar tirtha, Khadalwa<br/> 48. Ramsar tirtha, Kuchrana Kalan<br/> 49. Lohrishi/Lokodwar tirtha, Lodhar<br/>
50. Tarntauk Yaksha, Sinkh
51. Pawanhrad tirtha, Pabnawa<br/> 52. Falgu tirtha, Faral<br/> 53. Pawaneshwar tirtha, Pharal<br/> 54. Kapil Muni tirtha, Kalayat<br/> 55. Pundrik tirtha, Pundri<br/> 56. Trivishtap tirtha, Tyontha<br/> 57. Kotikut tirtha, Kyodak / Keorak: by 2021 â¹1.02 crore was spent on tirtha development.
58. Banteshwar tirtha, Barot, Haryana<br/> 59. Namish tirtha, Nauch, Haryana<br/> 60. Vedvati tirtha, Balwanti<br/> 61. Vridkedar tirtha, Kaithal<br/> 62. Sarak tirtha, Shergarh, Kaithal<br/> 63. Manush tirtha, Manas, Kaithal<br/> 64. Navadurga tirtha, Devigarh, Kaithal<br/> 65. Gyaraharudri tirtha, Kaithal<br/> 66. Aapga tirtha, Gadli<br/> 67. Juhomi tirtha, Hajwana<br/>
68. Vishnupada tirtha, Barsana, Kaithal<br/> 69. Yajnasanjna tirtha, Geong<br/> 70. Kapilmuni tirtha, Kaul<br/> 71. Kulotaran tirtha, Kaul<br/> 72. Garhratheshwar tirtha, Kaul<br/> 73. Matri tirtha, Rasulpur, Kaithal<br/> 74. Suryakunda tirtha, Habri (Jyotinagar colony): by 2021 â¹67 lakh was spent on tirtha development, more budget will be spent as it was still in the initial stage of development.<br/> 75. Havya tirtha, Bhana<br/> 76. Chakramani tirtha, Sherda: by 2021 â¹1 crore was spent on tirtha development, second phase of which was still underway.<br/> 77. Rasamangal tirtha, Songhal: by 2021 â¹1.30 crore was spent on development of Kukrityanshan and Rasamangal tirhtas. Ghats conference hall, toilet were built.
78. Mukteshwar tirtha, Mator, Kaithal: by 2021 â¹1.92 crore was spent on tirtha development.<br/> 79. Sritirtha, Kasan, 80. Srikunja tirtha, Banpura<br/> 81. Ekshumati tirtha, Theh Polar partially excavated ancient archaeological mound associated with the rishi Pulastya.<br/> 82. Sutirtha tirtha, Sontha<br/> 83. Brahmavarta tirtha, Brabhavat<br/> 84. Aruntak Yaksha, Beharjaksha<br/>
85. Sringi Rishi tirtha/ Shankhni Devi tirtha, Sangan<br/> 86. Gobhwan tirtha, Guhana<br/> 87. Suryakunda, Sajuma<br/> 88. Seetvan/Swaragdwara tirtha, Siwan, Kaithal<br/> 89. Brombhodumber tirtha, Shila Kheri<br/> 90. Anyajanma tirtha, Deoda Kheri<br/> 91. Devi tirtha, Kalsi, Kaithal<br/> 92. Dhruvakunda tirtha, Dherdu<br/> 93. Kukrityanashan tirtha, Kaukat: by 2021 â¹1.05 crore was spent on development of Kukrityanshan and Rasamangal tirthas.
94. Kavya tirtha, Karoda<br/> 95. Lavakusha tirtha, Mundri<br/> 96. Vamana tirtha, Sounghal<br/> 97. Rinmochan tirtha, Rasina 98. Alepak tirtha, Shakra<br/> 99. Devi tirtha, Mohna<br/> 100. Gandharva tirtha, Gohran Kheri<br/>
101. Vedvati tirtha, Sitamai<br/> 102. Mishrak tirtha, Nisang<br/> 103. Aahan tirtha, Nigdu<br/> 104. Trigunananda tirtha, Guniyana<br/> 105. Pawan tirtha, Uplana<br/> 106. Jambunand tirtha, Jabala<br/> 107. Dasshswamedha tirtha, Salwan, Karnal<br/> 108. Dhankshetra tirtha, Assandh<br/> 109. Jarasandha ka kila, Assandh<br/> 110. Vimalsar tirtha, Saga, Karnal<br/> 111. Dasaratha tirtha/Raghvendra tirtha/Surya kund, Aaugandh<br/> 112. Prithavi tirtha, Balu, Karnal<br/>
113. Parashar tirtha, Bahalolpur<br/> 114. Daksheshwar tirtha, Dachar<br/> 115. Vyasa Sthali, Basthali<br/> 116. Goutam rishi/ Gavendra tirtha, Gondar, Karnal<br/> 117. Brahma tirtha, Sawant, Karnal<br/> 118. Akshyavata tirtha, Badthal<br/> 119. Falgu tirtha, Fafdana
120. Jyesthashrama tirtha, Borshyam
121. Koti tirtha, Borshyam<br/> 122. Surya tirtha, Borshyam<br/> 123. Vishnuhrad (Vishnupad) Vamnak tirtha, Borshyam<br/>
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<br/>: by 2021 â¹64 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
Majority of the tourists visit Kurukshetra during sacred events, specifically Somvati Amavasya, solar eclipse, Gita Mahotsav and to perform post-death rituals only.
International Gita Mahotsav (on varying dates in November or December based on the Vikram Samvat lunar calendar), Saraswati Jayanti (also known as the Vasant Panchami, on the fifth day of spring around February or March) and Holi festivals are celebrated at Brahma Sarovar every year. During the International Gita Mahotsav, more than 300 national and international stalls are set up around the Brahma Sarovar.
Jyotisar is one of the important site where the Gita International Festival is held every year in December. This also entails a Gita Deepotsav (Gita festival of lights) during which hundreds of thousands of traditional earthen diya lamps are lit on the banks of Brahma Sarovar, Sannihit Sarovar and Jyotisar Sarovar. For example, 300,000 lamps were lit in December 2020.
Historically each of more than 134 tirthas in the 48 Kos Parikrama of Kurukshetra used to have its own unique festival. With passage of time, several of this tirthas have faded into oblivion and several such festivals have become extinct. To conserve the religious and cultural heritage these tirtha-specific festivals and fairs will be revived. This will also boost the local economy. In order to revive, the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) is identifying the fairs and religious events held at each tirthas (pilgrimage sites).
Just like Mathura peda as prasÃÂda (consecrated food offered as blessing) is a specialty of Braj Krishna circuit in Mathura area, the sweet laddu made from the roasted channa (Indian chichpea) will be used as the geo-specialty food prasÃÂda of various tirthas within 48 kos kurukshetra prikarma. This will be called Kurukshetra Prasadam. Compared to other sweets such as barfi or peda, the laddu does not spoil easily and has a longer shelf life at room temperature. Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) has advised all the sweet shops if any tourist or pilgrim asks for prasad then only chana laddoo must be given. KDB will open 5 shops of its own to sell channa laddu as Kurukshetra Prasadam.