Chandigarh - Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that the state government is committed to making Kurukshetra one of the most prestigious places in the world. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, the Gita Mahotsav has been celebrated internationally in Kurukshetra since 2016.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the 48 Kos Tirtha Sammelan held in Kurukshetra on Monday. The event was attended by Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj, Adhyaksh of the Gita Gyan Sansthanam, along with representatives and devotees from various pilgrimage sites across the Dharmakshetra-Kurukshetra region. Earlier, Chief Minister also released a booklet highlighting the pilgrimage sites within the 48 Kos of Kurukshetra.
Extending his greetings on Gita Jayanti, Chief Minister Saini said that on this day during the Mahabharata period, Lord Krishna imparted the immortal message of Karmayoga to all of humanity through Arjuna on the sacred land of Kurukshetra. He added that over the past 17 days, devotees and Gita enthusiasts have been participating in the 10th International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra. The influence of the Gita is now felt throughout Haryana, with its chants resonating across every district. The Gita Mahotsav is also being celebrated at various pilgrimage sites and is simultaneously organized at both state and district levels, making it a unique celebration of religious, cultural, and artistic integration, he said.
The Chief Minister said that during his visit to Kurukshetra in 2014, the Karmayogi Prime Minister, Sh Narendra Modi, had emphasized that every effort would be made to establish Kurukshetra as the prominent site of the Gita. Following the Prime Minister’s guidance, the Gita Mahotsav has been celebrated internationally since 2016. He added that on November 25, the Prime Minister also participated in the International Gita Mahotsav and conveyed the message of connecting everyone to the teachings of the Gita.
The Chief Minister recalled that the then Prime Minister, the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had provided a special package for the restoration of the banyan tree at Jyotisar near Kurukshetra, where Lord Krishna delivered the holy message of Gita to Arjuna.
Citing examples of several famous temples across the country, he said that the Prime Minister, Sh Narendra Modi, is also prioritizing the restoration of endangered pilgrimage sites. A society that preserves its cultural heritage instills strong moral values in its younger generation. That is why we are continuously working to preserve Haryana’s cultural heritage—the land of the Vedas, Puranas, and the Gita—and to pass it on to future generations, he added.
Nayab Singh Saini stated that there are 367 pilgrimage sites within the 48 Kos of Kurukshetra, situated between the sacred Saraswati and Drishadvati rivers. He said that some of these sites have nearly disappeared, but the state government is committed to restoring them and reviving their glory. In 2023, following a detailed survey and documentation, 18 new pilgrimage sites were added to the previously documented 164 sites within the 48 Kos of Kurukshetra, bringing the total to 182. This work is ongoing, and more pilgrimage sites are expected to be added in the near future.
The Chief Minister further said that the state government is working to develop pilgrimage circuits within the 48 Kos of Kurukshetra, similar to the 84 Kosi Yatra in Braj. Special trains have been introduced along these routes to connect Dharmakshetra-Kurukshetra with Lord Krishna's place Mathura, and the religious city of Haridwar.
He added that Kurukshetra was included in the Sri Krishna Circuit in 2015 under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Under this initiative, development work is being carried out at various pilgrimage sites, with 134 locations within a 48 Kos radius slated for development as tourist destinations. As part of this effort, the Jyotisar Anubhav Kendra, themed on the Mahabharata, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on November 25 at the Jyotisar Shrine.
He stated that the Kurukshetra Development Board is currently undertaking development work at approximately 80 pilgrimage sites within the 48 Kos radius of Kurukshetra. This includes the development of four major sites—Brahmasarovar, Jyotisar Tirtha, Narakatari, and Sannihit Sarovar—at an investment of Rs 80.55 crore. In addition, the city of Kurukshetra is enhancing its infrastructure to ensure that devotees and tourists leave with lasting memories.
The Chief Minister stated that a 40-foot-tall Viraat Swaroop Pratima has been installed at Jyotisar, the birthplace of the Gita, at a cost of approximately Rs 13.63 crore. He added that various centers of public faith are being established in Kurukshetra, allowing temples from remote regions of the country to now be visited locally. Land has been allocated for the construction of these temples.
He highlighted that the in North India’s only Sri Tirupati Balaji Temple has been constructed, and additional institutions, including the Jiyo Gita Sansthanam, Akshardham Temple, ISKCON Temple, and Gyan Mandir, are currently under construction. Undoubtedly, upon the completion of these institutions, Kurukshetra will gain a unique identity at both national and international levels, he said.
On this occasion, Swami Gyananand Maharaj, Adhyaksh of Gita Gyan Sansthanam, described the Gita Mahotsav as a unique example of social harmony. He praised the state government’s commitment to the development of Kurukshetra and the 48 Kos—the land of the Mahabharata war—saying it shines like the light of a new sun in Sanatan Dharma. He added that former Chief Minister Manohar Lal had initiated the renovation of pilgrimage sites in the 48 Kos, and the current Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, continues this work with goodwill toward all.
He emphasized that the Gita is not just a faith but a source of inspiration that teaches people how to live their lives. Gyananand Maharaj urged representatives of the pilgrimage site committees in the region to take pride in their sites and work toward their development and preservation. He encouraged everyone to adopt the pledge: “My pilgrimage, my pride.”
Chief Minister’s OSD, Bharat Bhushan Bharti, said that when Nayab Singh Saini was a Member of Parliament from the Kurukshetra Lok Sabha constituency, he personally visited the pilgrimage sites within the 48 Kos to assess their condition. He urged all representatives to prioritize cleanliness and maintenance at their respective sites.
Upendra Singhal, Honorary Secretary of the Kurukshetra Development Board, provided details about the ongoing work being carried out by the Board. On the occasion, suggestions were also sought from representatives of the committees to further improve all pilgrimage sites in the region.