Brahma Sarovar a heritage of pre-Mahabharata time

Vijay Sabharwal

Brahma Sarovar at Kurukshetra was in the limelight recently when it figured in a list of 30 Swachh Iconic Places (SIP) drawn up by the Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. 

It is a unique and ancient heritage of India. This recent recognition would not have been possible without the notable contribution of late Prime Minister, Gulzari Lal Nanda, who for over 20 years, as the Chairman of the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB), invested considerable efforts in restoring the sanctity of this historic and religious site. Brahma Sarovar had remained neglected for many years, until the KDB took up its renovation earnestly in 1970. A pond with lots of mud has now been turned into one of the most beautiful water tanks in the world.

The history of Brahma Sarovar is fascinating. As the name suggests, it is associated with creator Lord Brahma. In ancient times, the tank was also called ‘Ramahrad’ and ‘Samanta Panchaka’, associated with Lord Parshurama. The tank was also variously known simply as the Kurukshetra tank and was associated with a big fair at the time of solar eclipses. According to local legends, this tank was excavated by King Kuru and Prajapati (Brahma) performed his first yajna at this place. It is mentioned in Padma, Vamana and Matsya Puranas that a dip in the tank on ‘amavasya’ (first day of new moon) and on a solar eclipse gives the highest merit to a human being, equivalent to performing a thousand Ashwamedha yajnas. Millions of pilgrims and tourists throng the city during solar eclipses to have a dip in Brahma Sarovar. Many pilgrims then visit local temples and distribute alms to the poor.

According to Rajesh Purohit, founder Curator of Shri Krishna Museum here, Lord Krishna accompanied his family from Dwarka to participate in the solar eclipse fair at Kurukshetra. From Vrindavana, ‘gopis’ also came to have a bath in the sacred tank of Kurukshetra. Krishna was a child when he left Vrindavana, thus it was after a long time that ‘gopis’ could again see him at Kurukshetra. Krishna and Balarama warmly embraced their parents. It is said during the fair an interesting dialogue between the ‘gopis’ and Krishna took place. On a solar eclipse in olden times, royal families used to visit Kurukshetra to observe religious rites. Later, the area became the battlefield for Mahabharata, but earlier it was known only as a place of pilgrimage. 

Even during the Mughal period, the sanctity of Brahma Sarovar was maintained. Mughal Emperor Akbar was accompanied by his court historian, Abul Fazal, on a visit to Kurukshetra during the solar eclipse of 1567. Abul Fazal’s “Akbarnama” refers to the eclipse in Kurukshetra and pilgrims bathing in Brahma Sarovar. French traveller Francois Bernier also mentions the sacred tank of Kurukshetra. Engraved stones available there suggest that the British, too, made efforts to maintain the sanctity of Brahma Sarovar. 

Madan Mohan Chhabara, Honorary Secretary of the KDB, says that the tank was provided with clean running water from the canal this year after Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar showed keen interest in it. The Central government has included Kurukshetra in Shri Krishna Circuit and projects worth Rs 197 crore have been sanctioned for the development of the holy tank and other religious places in and around Kurukshetra. The plan is to develop Kurukshetra as an international pilgrim and tourist destination, as it was here that Lord Krishna delivered the sermon of Bhagawad Gita. 

(The writer is a senior journalist based in Kurukshetra)