Jyotisar
| Jyotisar | |
|---|---|
  Jyotisar | |
| Location | Kurukshetra, Haryana |
| Coordinates | 29°57′41″N 76°46′16″E / 29.96139°N 76.77111°ECoordinates: 29°57′41″N 76°46′16″E / 29.96139°N 76.77111°E |
| Basin countries |  India |
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Jyotisar, on the bank of Jyotisar Sarovar wetland, is one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage site in the holy city of Kurukshetra in Haryana state of India. Lord Krishna delivered the sermon of Bhagavad Gita - the doctrine of Karma and Dharma to his wavering friend Arjun to guide him to resolve his ethical dilemma.[1][2] It is here Lord Krishna revealed his virat rupa (universal form) to Arjuna,[3] hence one of the must visit pilgrim site in the 48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra.
It lies east of Kurukshetra city on SH-6 state highway.
Background[]
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Etymology[]
'Jyoti' means the light or enlightenment in this context. 'Sar' means the core. Hence, 'Jyotisar' means 'core meaning of light' or 'ultimately of God' i.e. the 'essence of enlightenment'.[1][2]
Association with Mahabharta[]
Sri Krishna gave a sermon to Arjuna at Jyotisar during which Bhagvad Gita was revealed. The sermon was delivered here under a vat vriksh (banyan tree), a sacred tree in Indian-origin religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. This banyan tree now stands on a raised plinth at Jyotisar, which according to the local traditions say is an offshoot of the original holy Banyan tree under which Sri Krishna delivered the sermon.[1][2]
There is also an old Shiv temple here where Karavas and Pandavas had worshiped lord Shiva. Abhimanyupur and Harsh Ka Tila, archaeological minds, lie nearby Jyotisar. Nearby Jyotisar, Mahabharata related Dharohar Museum, Kurukshetra Panorama and Science Centre, Shrikrishna Museum also lie within Kurukshetra.
Jyotisar religious heritage tourism project[]
Jyotisar tirth was renovated and continuously being upgraded by the Kurukshetra Development Board. Krishna Circuit Kurukshetra development project is jointly undertaken by the Government of Haryana and India's Ministry of Culture, which entails development of several other sites in and around Kurukshetra including Brahma Sarovar, Sannihit Sarovar, Narkatari Baan Ganga, Abhimanyu Ka Tila and Mahabharata themed park, etc.[3] Phase-I entails Bhagwat Gita and Mahabharta museum, statues, and development of various trithas in 4 kos ki Kurukshetra prikrama, etc. Phase 2 entails broadening of revived saraswati river from Pipli to Jyotisar.
As part of the National Krishna Yatra circuit, 48 Kos Kurukshetra and 134 pilgrimage sites within it are being developed along the lines of the Braj Kosi Yatra. Under this national project, Union Government of India and respective state governments are also constructing two mega temples of Lord Krishna, at Vrindavan on 65 acres with a cost of Rs 800 crores (US120 million) and at Bangalore with a cost of Rs 700 crores (US105 million).[4]
Mahabharata light and sound show[]
A daily light and music laser show is organized by the tourism department at the Jyotisar lake, which recreates episodes from the Hindu epic Mahabharata.
Bhagwat Gita and Mahabharta museum[]
The project includes the hi-tech digital and virtual reality Bhagavad Gita and Mahabharta theme museum at Jyotisar,[5] with a 100,000 sq feet new constructed area which will cater for 10,000 pilgrims expected every day.[3]
To promote international religious tourism, this Mahabharta and Sri Krishna heritage theme project entails construction of 8 buildings on the bank of ancient Jyotisar lake. Each building, 4 to 5 story high, will have a separate theme based on the mahabharta which will provide pilgrim and tourists an immersive experience of being in the mahabarta war which lasted for 18 days. The project will cost Rs 200 cr or US$30 million at 2018 prices.[6]
Mahabharata era statues[]
Several tall statues of Mahabharmta era figures are being installed in and around Jyotisar, including Sri Krishna Virat Swaroop statue at Jyotisar, 18-ft tall Abhimanyu's statue at Abhimanyupur where her was killed by Kauravas in Chakravyūha, 9-ft tall statue of "Arjuna banganga and Bhishma’s sarsaiya" at Narkatari.[7]
Gitopdesh - Gita Updesh statue[]
A marble chariot statue, depicting Lord Krishna delivering the sermon to Arjuna, marks the site at Jyotisar where Bhagavad Gita was revealed to Arjuna.
Sri Krishna Virat Swaroop statue at Jyotisar[]
In 2021, a 40 feet tall statue of Lord Krishna, made of ashtadhatu (eight metals) in viratswaroop (universal form), was installed at the cost of INR10 crore (INR100 million or US130,000 at 2021 prices) at Jyotisar where Lord Krishna revealed Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. The structure is of 50 ft as the 40 ft statue stands on a 10 ft plinth.[8] This statue with plinth and landscaping will cost Rs. 10 crore.[7] The statue was designed by the sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar, who also designed the 182-metre Statue of Unity of Sardar Patel in Gujarat and Ram Janmabhoomi temple.[8] This statue weighs 33 tons, has 20 feet deep underground pillars below the plinth, will be situation in front of light and sound with statue's face towards southeast. The statue has nine heads, including Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, Ganesha, Narsimha avatara of Lord Vishnu, Sugriva, Lord Hanumana, Lord Parshurama, and Agni Deva (fire god), which will be covered with a canopy in the form of Sheshnaga. below the torso are nine feet tall two feet, underneath those is a sacred lotus flower and Shehnaga's tail.[9]
Abhimanyu Chakravyūha statue at Abhimanyupur[]
A 18-ft tall statue of Abhimanyu at Abhimanyupur, with a chariot wheel carried in both hands above his head depicting his stance during he Chakravyūha battle of mahabharta war, is installed at Abhimanyupur at the place where he was killed. It is installed by the Kurukshetra Development Board at a cost of Rs 24 lakh in 2020. This will be part of 8 acre park housing the statue and a Chakravyūha formation.[7]
Bhishama Deathbed and Arjuna's Banganga statue at Narkatari[]
At Narkatari, between Jyotisar and Kurukshetra city, 2 statues will be installed - Arjuna and "Bhishama’s sarsaiya' (Bhishma’s deathbed). "Arjuna’s Banganga" statue is 9-ft tall is depicted in the posture of him shooting an arrow to bring out the underground holy spring water for the thirsty Bhishma. Whereas, Bhishma's statue is depicted lying on a 10-ft long death bed made of arrows. It will cost Rs 32 lakh.[7]
Pipli-Jyotisar Sarasvati riverfront project[]
This entails broadening of the Sarasvati River, a sacred river mentioned in the sacred Hindu text Rigveda, from Pipli to Jyotisar, banks of river will be beautified, tourist cruises and boats from Pipli to Jyotisar tirtha will be operated. As Sarasvati River has been made perennial, it will be widened to enhance the flow of water and to utilise the channel for heritage, tourism and recreational activities. The length of Sarasvati's channel from Pipli on NH-44 in the northeast of Kurukshetra city to Sutlej Yamuna link canal (SYL canal) immediate east of Jyotisar is 21 km (70,000 ft) long. It is 20 m (65 ft) wide near Pipli zoo at NH-44, which gets reduced to a varying width of between 4.6 m (15 ft) to 9.1 m (30 ft). This narrowing of the river hampers flow of water and causes flooding in the inhabited areas in the northern part of Kurukshetra city. The narrowing of river is caused by the illegal encroachments by people. In March 2021, people were asked to remove the encroachments, after which legal notices will be sent to the remaining illegal encroachers. After the encroachment has been removed, the river will be widened, which will also prevent flooding.[10]
The river receives 1,000 cusecs at Pipli during rainy season, but downstream only 200 cusecs water could flow due to encroachments. A minimum 70 ft wide channel is needed for the smooth flow. Hence, river will be widened after removing encroachments.[11]
In addition to boating, there will be series of ghats, open air gym and cafeteria, etc. Initially boating will be started from Pipli to Kheri Markanda village, which will be later extended till Jyotisar after the widening of Sarasvati river.[12]
Current status[]
The 18 month long construction project commenced on 21 June 2018 with target completion by December 2019. However, the project was delayed for various reason including covid, and now it is scheduled to be completed by November 2021. As of August 2021, according to the officials the Administrative Block and Building No 4 are already complete, remaining work is 85% complete. However, ground report by new reports estimate only 50% work is complete, subsequently government officials have assured completion by Nov 2021.[6]
Religious observance[]
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 Developent 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.[13]
Gita International Festival and 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.[14]
See also[]
- Hindu pilgrimage sites in India
- List of Hindu temples
- Religious tourism in India
References[]
- ^ a b c Jyotisar Kurukshetra district website.
- ^ a b c "Jyotisar". Haryana Tourism Corporation Limited. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
- ^ a b c Lord Krishna’s 50-foot statue to come up in Kurukshetra, Hindustan Times, 12 June 2021.
- ^ Haryana CM inaugurates museum at Gita Gyan Sansthanam in Kurkshetra, Indian Express, 7 May 2021.
- ^ केंद्रीय पर्यटन मंत्री से हरियाणा के सीएम की मुलाकात खत्म, एक घंटे की मीटिंग में इन मुद्दों पर बात, haryanaexpress.in, 29 July 2021.
- ^ a b ज्योतिसर तीर्थ का प्रोजेक्ट अटका, थीम पर काम पूरा होना तो दूर बिल्डिंग का स्ट्रक्चर तक पूरा नहीं, Dainik Jagran, 22 Aug 2021.
- ^ a b c d Kurukshetra to have 4 bronze statues, The Tribune,23 Oct 2020.
- ^ a b Work to install Lord Krishna’s statue begins, The tribune, 15 June 2021.
- ^ गीता स्थली ज्योतिसर में लगेगा श्रीकृष्ण भगवान का विराट स्वरूप, 200 करोड़ का प्रोजेक्ट, वजन 33 टन, Dainik Jagran, 16 Aug 2021.
- ^ Remove encroachments: Saraswati board to public, The Tribune, 1 march 2021.
- ^ 11 months on, demarcation of Saraswati still incomplete, The Tribune, 24 Nov 2020.
- ^ Boating facility from Pipli to Jyotisar soon, The Tribune, Jul 03, 2019 .
- ^ Chana laddoo to be ‘Kurukshetra prasadam’, The Tribune, 1 March 2020.
- ^ 3L diyas to light up Kurukshetra on December 25, The Tribune, 23 Dec 2020.
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- Jyotisar
- Hindu temples in Haryana
- Vishnu temples
- Kurukshetra
- Hindu pilgrimage sites in India
- Mahabharata
- 48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra
- Tourist attractions in Kurukshetra district