The historic town of Kurukshetra in Haryana, India, is not just the cradle of Indian civilization but also a pivotal site for Hindu pilgrimage. Among the numerous sacred and historical sites, Bhishma Kund at Narkatari is one that resonates deeply with the epic narrative of the Mahabharata.
This ancient kund (tank) is believed to be the very spot where the great warrior Bhishma Pitamah lay on a bed of arrows after the fierce battle of Mahabharata. As per the legend, when Bhishma, the grandsire of both the Pandavas and Kauravas, was fatally wounded, he thirsted for water. Arjuna, one of the Pandava princes, shot an arrow into the ground, and water from the holy Ganges emerged to quench Bhishma's thirst, leading to the creation of the Bhishma Kund.
The Bhishma Kund has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries, drawing visitors interested in the history and religious significance of the Mahabharata epic. Over the years, the site has been developed to accommodate the increasing number of tourists and pilgrims. The Kurukshetra Development Board along with the Haryana Tourism Department has made continuous efforts to conserve and promote this historic site.
The latest trends in tourism at Bhishma Kund include the use of digital technology for enhancing visitor experience. Efforts such as QR codes providing historical information, augmented reality applications depicting the Mahabharata events, and light and sound shows narrating tales from the epic have been incorporated to engage a digitally savvy audience.
Additionally, the Kurukshetra Festival, which includes performances, exhibitions, and seminars, attract a lot of visitors. The festival serves both as a cultural extravaganza and a medium to educate visitors about the region's epic history.
When visiting Bhishma Kund, tourists can witness the serene water of the Kund, visit the surrounding temples, and explore the nearby sights such as the Sri Krishna Museum, Jyotisar (the birthplace of the Bhagavad Gita), and various ghats and temples along the Saraswati and Drishadvati rivers believed to flow during the Mahabharata period.
The local government has provided facilities for pilgrims and tourists, including clean and navigable pathways, signages explaining the historical importance, and basic amenities to ensure a comfortable visit.
Bhishma Kund is well connected by road and is just about a few kilometers from the town center of Kurukshetra. The nearest railway station is in Kurukshetra which is well-serviced by trains from major cities, and the closest airport is in Chandigarh, which is approximately 90 kilometers away.
