About Solar Eclipse at

Kurukshetra is referred as the “Pilgrimage par excellence”. Since times immemorial there has been constant influx of pilgrims to this sacred land. One of the most popular reasons for a pilgrimage to Kurukshetra is to attain the highest merit by taking a holy dip in the sacred tanks of Braham Sarovar and Sannehit Sarovar and thereby attaining ‘Moksha’ or salvation. According to Matsya, Vamana and Padma Purans, if an individual takes a holy dip in the sacred tanks of Kurukshetra on the occasion of Solar Eclipse he attains the merits of thousands of Ashvamedha . On the occasion of Somavati Amavasya (First day of the new moon falling on Monday) and on Solar Eclipse (on a new moon day as the moon comes in between Sun and Earth, thereby causing eclipse of the Sun) pilgrims from all walks of life assemble at these holy tanks. The age old celebration of this occasion also suggests the astronomical knowledge that was known to the ancient Indians, about this celestial wonder. The connects the eclipses of the Sun and the Moon to the episodes of the churning of the ocean, when the ambrosia pot was carried by Vishnu in the form of Mohini, who started distributing it to the gods. Rahu, a demon sat in line with the Devas and also took ambrosia. When the ambrosia had already reached the throat of Rahu, Surya and Chandrama, both recognized the demon and informed the gods of his impersonation / Lord Vishnu, immediately with his chakra cut off the well adorned head of Rahu. The huge head of the demon having been severed by chakra of Vishnu, rose up to the sky like a mountain peak and uttered terrible cries. The headless body of the demon fell on the earth. From that day, a great enmity is said to have been created between them. The head of Rahu tries to swallow both of them causing solar or lunar eclipses. Possibly with this background several rites were ordained to be performed during the solar and lunar eclipses. The Matsya Purana describes the rites, the mantras and the articles to be given away in charity at the time of solar and lunar eclipses. It has further been mentioned here that a person at the time of solar eclipse should bath in the water mixed with different herbs and medicines. The Devas should be invoked after putting the earth of elephant’s stable, horse stable, the place of chariot, the highway, the ant hill, Cow-yard and from confluence of the two rivers with

1 panchagavya, pearls, gorochana, lotus, conch-shell, pancharatna (five newels), diamond, white sandal, Ganga water, mustard, ivory and gugal into four pitchers which represent the four great Oceans. After invoking all the gods and other noble beings, the devotee should sprinkle upon himself the medicated water of those pitchers which are adorned with white garlands and sandal paste and then worship the Brahmanas and the family deity by reciting the mantra laid down in the Rigveda, Yajurved and Samaveda. In the end cows with cloth should be given to the Brahmanas. The earliest reference to solar eclipse at Kurukshetra is known to us from the epic Mahabharata. Mythology holds that people of that period used to visit Kurukshetra for taking a holy dip in the tanks on the auspicious occasion of solar eclipse. This has been narrated in the Van Parva and Udyoga Parva of the Mahabharata. Historically speaking, in 1567 A.D. King Akbar visited Kurukshetra on the occasion of Solar eclipse along with Abul Fazl, his court historian. Abul Fazl’s work “Akbarnama” clearly mentions about the eclipse at Kurukshetra and pilgrims taking bath at Braham Sarovar. Francois Bernier, a French traveler of the time of Sahjahan writes about sacred bath at Indus, and tanks of (Kurukshetra) on the occasion of the Solar eclipse. Many Sikh Gurus and other devout visited Kurukshetra on the occasion of Solar Eclipse. Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikh religion, visited Kurukshetra on occasion of Solar Eclipse around 1499-1509. In memory of Sri Guru Nanak Dev’s arrival at Kurukshetra, the Gurudwara 1st Patshashi stands in the south western corner of . It is said that Guru ji stayed at this place during his stay in Kurukshetra. After Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, other Sikh Guru Amardas (1572 AD), Sri Guru Teg Bahadur (AD 1664-1665) and Sri Guru Gobind Singh also came to Kurukshetra on the occasion of solar eclipse. According to the local tradition, eight Sikh Gurus visited Kurukshetra on different occasions. After establishment of Muslim rule in Delhi, the pilgrims kept visiting Kurukshetra on the occasion of Solar Eclipse in spite of the imposition of different kinds of religious taxes. During this period many buildings and bathing ghats were built by different princely states of at this sacred place. In view of the historical and cultural importance of the Solar Eclipse in Kurukshetra, British Government later on took over the management of its fair in the year 1914. After

2 independence the state governments have been making arrangements for the convenience of devotees in this fair. There is an exclusive chapter in the Bhagavat Puran on the visit of Krishna to Kurukshetra on the occasion of Solar eclipse. Pind daan is basically related to Shradha ceremony through which people honor their ancestors and fore fathers. According to the Purans, by performing pind daan, one gets freedom from the cycle of life and death, which is called salvation or moksha. According to Garuda and Matsya Purana, the things offered in this act are received by the ancestors living in their own world. Devotees from all over the country and abroad, come to perform the ceremony of Pind-daan for their fore fathers at , Brahma Sarovar and other Sacred tanks of Kurukshetra region by engaging the tirtha purohits. On 26th December 2019 between 8.15 AM to 10.55 AM there is an opportunity for the people to take the holy bath at Kurukshetra on the occasion of Solar eclipse. Therefore, keeping in view that Lakhs of Pilgrims visit Kurukshetra on this occasion, the District Administration along with other agencies of State Government, is fully geared to ensure the smooth conduct of the Mela and complete safety of the pilgrims visiting Kurukshetra on this auspicious occasion. To accomplish the Mela peacefully and successfully wide arrangements are being made. Whole Kurukshetra town has been distributed in 20 sectors. All these sectors will be equipped with Duty Magistrates, Sector Officers with supporting staff, Basic amenities including essential commodities, health, drinking water, transport, and security will be ensured through well structured team of officers.

Dr.S.S.Phulia, IAS District Magistrate, Kurukshetra.

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