Importance of Kurukshetra in Hindu Mythology

Kurukshetra Festival, also known as Gita JayantiSamaroh is celebrated in Kurukshetra, Haryana during the months of November and December to commemorate the birth of the holy book of Hindus, SrimadBhagvad Gita. It is held on the 11th day of Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Margashirsh month as per the traditional Lunar calendar. This festival not only celebrates the birth of Bhagvad Gita, but also pays homage to the thrilling battle of Mahabharata between Pandavas and Kauravas.

The excitement and exhilaration reach its peak during the festival. The venue of the festival is considered auspicious because Kurukshetra is the place where Lord Krishna is believed to have delivered the celestial song ‘Bhagwad Gita’ to Arjuna. The land is also important for another reason as the famous sage Manu wrote Manusmriti here. In addition to this, Rig Veda and Sama Veda were also written here. Thus, Kurukshetra is the perfect place to celebrate the glory of Hindu religion which binds so many people of the country.

Since being brought into the world, SrimadBhagwad Gita has helped so many people all around the world, guided them through all of their hardships, and been their greatest spiritual teacher. Lord Krishna has taught many lessons to Arjuna in Gita which now provides solutions to so many problems of humans. Many of these humans, who have been guided and helped by this Holy Scripture, travel from all over India to witness this grand festival of Gita JayantiSamaroh and pay their respects to their best teacher which is Gita. All of these devotees follow a ritual of taking holy dips in sacred tanks of SannihitSarovar and Brahma Sarovar. The event lasts a week and entails many attractions which does not allow any devotee to go home feeling disappointed. Some of these attractions include shloka recital, dance performances, Bhagwad Katha reading, Bhajans, Dramas, and Book Exhibitionswhich makes the whole atmosphere divine and spiritual. Along with this, free Medical check-up camps are also set up close to take care of all of your medical needs. A craft fair is also organized that lasts for a week.

This week-long festival is organized by Kurukshetra Development Board, Haryana Tourism, District Administration, North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala, Information and Public Relations Department, Haryana who do a tremendous job at making this festival a spectacular celebration of Hinduism. The program details of the festival are given below:

• Inauguration of Gita Mahotsav
• Inauguration of International Gita Seminar
• MahaAarti
• Inauguration of Light and Sound Show
• Inauguration of Cultural Programmes Cultural Performance by Partner State

• International Gita Seminar
• Cultural Performance by Artists of North Zone Cultural Centre
• Light and Sound Show
• Maha Aarti
• Dance Drama and performance

• Cultural Performance by Kurukshetra University
• Cultural programmes
• Light and Sound show
• MahaAarti
• Performances
• Valedictory Session of International Gita Seminar

• Singing Performances of famous singers
• Cultural performance of international troupe& multi art cultural center
• SantSammelan
• Light and Sound show
• MahaAarti
• Performances

• Complete recital ofSrimadBhagwad Gita by devotees
• Cultural performances by Department of Art & Cultural Affairs,Haryana
• Light and Sound show
• MahaAarti
• Performance of International Cultural Troupes performance of NIFA Troupe Singing

• Gita Yajna
• Recital of AshtadashShloki Gita by students
• Folk dance by the artists of Haryana Pavilion& NZCC
• Global Gita Chanting
• Gita Shobha Yatra
• Light and Sound Show
• Grand MahaAarti and Deepdaan
• Dance Drama by SubhraGahlohtaVrindavanRaslila and dance Gita on Wheels

Over the years, this festival has gained a lot of popularity and a large number of tourists participate in all these events.