CM Nayab Singh Saini develops Kurukshetra as a global pilgrimage hub, enhancing 48 Kos sites, temples, and tourism during Gita Mahotsav 2025.

The state government is dedicated to make Kurukshetra one of the most prestigious locations in the world, according to Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini. Since 2016, Kurukshetra has hosted an international celebration of Gita Mahotsav under the direction of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi.

At Monday’s 48 Kos Tirtha Sammelan in Kurukshetra, the Chief Minister was giving a speech. Along with dignitaries and devotees from other pilgrimage sites around the Dharmakshetra-Kurukshetra region, Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj, Adhyaksh of the Gita Gyan Sansthanam, attended the occasion. A pamphlet outlining the pilgrimage places within the 48 Kos of Kurukshetra was previously distributed by the Chief Minister.

Chief Minister Saini wished everyone a happy Gita Jayanti, stating that on this day in the Mahabharata era, Lord Krishna sent Arjuna on the holy island of Kurukshetra with the timeless teaching of Karmayoga. He went on to say that the 10th International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra has been attended by devotees and Gita enthusiasts for the previous 17 days. Today, the Gita’s chanting can be heard in every district of Haryana, demonstrating its influence. “The Gita Mahotsav is a unique celebration of religious, cultural, and artistic integration because it is simultaneously organized at the state and district levels and is also celebrated at various pilgrimage sites,” he said.

The Chief Minister stated that Karmayogi Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi had stressed during his 2014 visit to Kurukshetra that every effort would be made to establish Kurukshetra as the renowned site of the Gita. Since 2016, the Gita Mahotsav has been observed globally under the direction of the Prime Minister. He went on to say that the Prime Minister also took part in the International Gita Mahotsav on November 25 and spread the word about bringing the Gita’s teachings to everyone.

Also read; Gita Jayanti 2025: CM Nayab Singh Saini Ushers Spiritual Light at Sannihit Sarovar

The Chief Minister recalled that the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Prime Minister at the time, had offered a special package for the restoration of the banyan tree at Jyotisar, which is close to Kurukshetra, where Lord Krishna gave Arjuna the sacred Gita message.

He stated that Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi is also giving priority to the rehabilitation of threatened pilgrimage sites, citing a number of well-known temples throughout the nation as examples. The younger generation is instilled with strong moral ideals by a society that protects its cultural legacy. For this reason, he continued, we are always striving to conserve and transmit to the next generation Haryana’s cultural heritage, which includes the Vedas, Puranas, and the Gita.

The 48 Kos of Kurukshetra, which are located between the holy Saraswati and Drishadvati rivers, have 367 pilgrimage sites, according to Nayab Singh Saini. According to him, the state administration is dedicated to rehabilitating these places and bringing back their splendor, even though some of them have all but vanished. After a thorough survey and recording, 18 additional pilgrimage sites were added in 2023, increasing the total to 182 from the 164 sites that had previously been recognized inside the 48 Kos of Kurukshetra. More pilgrimage locations are anticipated to be added soon as a result of this ongoing work.

The Chief Minister added that the state government is attempting to create pilgrimage routes within Kurukshetra’s 48 Kos, like to Braj’s 84 Kosi Yatra. Along these lines, special trains have been established to link Dharmakshetra-Kurukshetra with the holy city of Haridwar and Mathura, the home of Lord Krishna.

He also mentioned that Kurukshetra was added to the Sri Krishna Circuit in 2015 as part of the Ministry of Tourism’s Swadesh Darshan Scheme, which is run by the Indian government. Development is underway at a number of pilgrimage sites under this project, with 134 sites within a 48-Kos radius planned for tourism development. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi opened the Mahabharata-themed Jyotisar Anubhav Kendra on November 25 at the Jyotisar Shrine as part of this initiative.

According to him, there are currently over 80 pilgrimage sites within the 48-kilometer radius of Kurukshetra that are undergoing development work by the Kurukshetra Development Board. At an investment of Rs 80.55 crore, this comprises the development of four significant sites: Brahmasarovar, Jyotisar Tirtha, Narakatari, and Sannihit Sarovar. The city of Kurukshetra is also improving its infrastructure to guarantee that visitors and devotees depart with enduring memories.

At an estimated cost of Rs 13.63 crore, the Chief Minister announced the installation of a 40-foot-tall Viraat Swaroop Pratima at Jyotisar, the birthplace of the Gita. He continued by saying that a number of public religious institutions are being built in Kurukshetra, making it possible to visit temples from far-flung parts of the nation. For the erection of these temples, land has been set aside.

He emphasized that the sole Sri Tirupati Balaji Temple in North India has been built, and that further establishments, such as the Jiyo Gita Sansthanam, Akshardham Temple, ISKCON Temple, and Gyan Mandir, are presently being built. Kurukshetra would undoubtedly acquire a distinct identity at the national and international levels if these institutes are completed, he said.

The Gita Mahotsav is a singular example of social peace, according to Swami Gyananand Maharaj, Adhyaksh of Gita Gyan Sansthanam. “It shines like the light of a new sun in Sanatan Dharma,” he said, praising the state government’s dedication to the development of Kurukshetra and the 48 Kos, the site of the Mahabharata conflict. The restoration of pilgrimage sites in the 48 Kos was started by former Chief Minister Manohar Lal, he continued, and is being carried out with compassion toward everyone by current Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.

Also read : Haryana Govt Removes Top Sports Officials After Death of Two Teen Athletes

He underlined that the Gita is a source of inspiration that teaches people how to live their life, not merely a religion. The region’s pilgrimage site committee delegates were asked by Gyananand Maharaj to be proud of their locations and strive for their improvement and conservation. He urged everyone to make the commitment, “My pilgrimage, my pride.”

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 evaluate their state, according to Chief Minister’s OSD Bharat Bhushan Bharti. He exhorted each person to give upkeep and cleanliness at their particular locations top priority.

The Kurukshetra Development Board’s Honorary Secretary, Upendra Singhal, gave an overview of the Board’s current activities. During the event, committee representatives were asked for recommendations on how to make all of the pilgrimage sites in the area even better.