48 kos parikrama



The 48 kos parikrama is a parikrama (a circumbabulatory pilgrimage) of various Mahabharata-related and other Vedic-era tirthas (Hindu sacred sites) around the 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 (KDB) was established to develop the 48 Kos Parikrama of Kurukshetra, its tirthas and related activities.

Hindu and Jain pilgrimage
Krishna, Kaurava and Pandava visited and lived in this area, and it is revered as their Karma Bhūmi (most sacred land of virtuous deeds) also related to the five classical elements of Hinduism called Pancha Tattva. 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 Upadeśa 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 and received 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).


 * 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 (also see Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Haryana).
 * Kamashpura Aastha Pugdal Pagoda (Kumashpur) 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" (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}.

Genealogy registers
Hindu genealogy registers of Kurukshetra are kept at Pehowa and Sannihit Sarovar.

Number of visitors
In 2019, over 40 lakh (4 million) 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 (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, ₹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 (pilgrimage) to Kurukshetra.

List of pilgrimage sites in 48 kos parikrama
At least 134 Tirthas (sacred sites) have been identified. Some of the pilgrimages are listed below:

Tirthas of Kurukshetra district
1. Arunai tirtha, Arunai 2. 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 (Bhagavad Gita was revealed) to Arjuna under the tree. 15. Som Tirtha, Sainsa 16. Shukra Tirtha, Sataura 17. Galav Tirtha, Guldehra 18. Saptasarsvta Tirtha, Mangna 19. Brhma Tirtha (Brahma Sthan), 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, Jind 33. 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 (Hatkeshwar 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, Sinkh

Tirthas of Kaithal district
51. Pawanhrad tirtha, Pabnawa 52. 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 (Jyotinagar colony): 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, Sitamai 102. 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 (Vishnupad) 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

Festivals
Majority of the tourists visit Kurukshetra during sacred events, specifically Somvati Amavasya, solar eclipse, Gita Mahotsav and to perform post-death rituals only.

Gita Mahotsav
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.

Gita Deepotsav
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.

Revival of tirtha festivals
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).

Kurukshetra Prasadam - Channa laddu speciality prasadam
Just like Mathura peda as prasāda (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 prasāda 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.