If you listened carefully, you could almost hear the war cries of the epic Kurukshetra War at the 2nd Mahabharata Circuit Conference organized by the Ministry of Tourism’s Northern Regional Office. This initiative of the Ministry of Tourism truly brought alive the Mahabharata in all its vivid drama for the delegates. Though the wheel of time has moved on thousands of years from the time of the Mahabharata, the epic, along with the Ramayana, remains an integral part of the DNA of India and its culture.
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Enduring Appeal of Kurukshetra
Kurukshetra, or Dharmakshetra in Haryana, India, is a land where timeless legends and unforgettable characters come alive at every bend in the road. Kurukshetra is where the gems of wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, emerged from the holy lips of Shri Krishna. The MoT hosted 2nd Mahabharat Circuit Conference, brought alive the incredible Mahabharata Circuit, and the Bhagavad Gita, for the delegates comprising travel and tourism stakeholders, historians, media persons, and scholars.
2nd Mahabharata Circuit Conference
The Northern Regional Office of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, organized the 2nd Mahabharata Circuit Conference and Familiarization Tour on November 4-5, 2024. The objective was to turn the spotlight on the sights and experiences that Kurukshetra offers to travellers. Kurukshetra is a treasure house of heritage and history, and its spiritual relevance to Indian culture cannot be underlined enough. The event that brought together stakeholders from across India, opened a fascinating window to the eternal appeal of Kurukshetra for them to behold.
MoT Hosted 2nd Mahabharata Circuit Conference – Mahabharat Circuit Conference Inaugural Event
The venue of the inauguration of the 2nd Mahabharata Circuit Conference and Familiarization Tour was Haryana Tourism’s Karna Lake Banquet Hall, nestled beside the picturesque Karna Lake, in Karnal.
The event was inaugurated by Dr Arvind Sharma, Hon’ble Minister for Heritage and Tourism, Government of Haryana. The event was also graced by other dignitaries from the Ministry of Tourism, Haryana Tourism, and other stakeholder organisations.
Present on the occasion were Dr Sunil Kumar, Managing Director, Haryana Tourism Corporation; Dr R.K.Suman Regional Director, India Tourism Delhi (Northern Region), Shri Sanjay Sachan, Ministry of Tourism; Shri Mohan Gaurchandra Prabhu, Vice President, ISKCON; Shri PP Khanna, Past President (ADTOI); Col Manbeer Choudhary, Past President (FHRAI).
As was appropriate for the occasion, the Chief Guest, Dr Arvind Sharma, Hon’ble Minister for Heritage and Tourism, Government of Haryana, was given a traditional welcome with a Tilak and Vedic Chanting by students and escorted into the auditorium.
The traditional lighting of the lamp took place to the accompaniment of Vedic chanting.
The Heritage and Tourism Minister also released an information booklet about the places in and around Kurukshetra, including destinations in the Mahabharata circuit.
The Mahabharata circuit conference brought together more than 100 tourism stakeholders from across the country, including tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, opinion leaders, influencers, YouTubers, bloggers, vloggers, media professionals, and tourism officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Haryana Tourism.
“Just by hearing the name of Krishna, one gets goosebumps and the fact that Kurukshetra is associated with Krishna, and it is the place where he delivered his divine message in the form of the Gita to Arjun, makes it a unique place,” said Dr Arvind Sharma, Hon’ble Minister for Heritage and Tourism, Government of Haryana, in his inaugural address.
Dr R.K.Suman Regional Director – India Tourism (North), spoke about the effort being made to put Kurukshetra on the global tourism map. “We want to showcase Kurukshetra which has Jyotisar where Krishna gave Geetopdesha to Arjun, and many other places related to Mahabharata, to India, and the world,” he said, talking about the promotion of Kurukshetra by the Ministry of Tourism.
Shri Mohan Gaurchandra Prabhu, Vice President, ISKCON, explained the historical, cultural, and spiritual significance of Kurukshetra. “There are about 160 holy places in Kurukshetra, out of which 50 prominent ones have been shortlisted,” he said, as he explained the tremendous spiritual tourism potential of the region.
Dr Sunil Kumar, Managing Director, Haryana Tourism Corporation, briefed about the tourism potential of Kurukshetra, and its numerous destinations and their significance.
The Mahabharata Circuit Conference featured in-depth discussions on key strategies to elevate Kurukshetra as a premier destination within India’s cultural tourism sector. Participants explored critical areas such as enhancing infrastructure, expanding quality accommodations, and improving tourist amenities to create a seamless visitor experience.
Special focus was given to sustainable and responsible tourism practices, including initiatives to involve local communities and provide targeted training for service providers. These efforts aim to foster a tourism environment that not only promotes Kurukshetra’s rich cultural and historical significance but also ensures that growth in visitor numbers contributes positively to the region’s social and economic well-being.
Through thoughtful promotion and strategic marketing, the conference sought to position Kurukshetra as a landmark destination that offers meaningful and enriching experiences for all travellers.
2nd Mahabharat Circuit Conference – The Experience
It was a unique and unforgettable experience for the delegates to the Mahabharat Circuit Conference. The experience began right from checking in to the regal Noor Mahal Palace Hotel, Karnal, where they stayed during the event. The 5-star hotel is a destination in itself. After the inaugural event, it was time for a day tour of Kurukshetra.
Many amazing experiences awaited the delegates in Kurukshetra.
Brahma Sarovar
The day began with a visit to the holy Brahma Sarovar, which is believed to be the place where Lord Brahma conducted his first Yagya. The ancient Sarveshwar Mahadev Temple located in the middle of the Sarovar, also enchanted the delegates with its sanctity.
Sri Krishna Museum
It was then time to visit the Srikrishna Museum, spread over 9 galleries, which showcases the life, and teachings of Lord Krishna, as well as the Mahabharat with beautiful paintings and other exhibits. The mysteries of science and the ancient wisdom of India and its science, amazed the delegates, while the depiction of the Kurukshetra war in a panoramic 360-degree gallery, had their attention riveted.
Devikoop Bhadrakali Temple
A visit to the sacred Shri Devikoop Bhadrakali Temple, one of the Shakti Peetha temples, awed the delegates with the temple’s aura of mystical charm.
Sheikh Chilli’s Tomb
This beautiful monument is the resting place of Sheikh Chilli, a 14th-century Sufi saint. Known for its stunning Mughal architecture and intricate carvings, the tomb is set within peaceful gardens, offering visitors a serene retreat to reflect and enjoy the timeless beauty of this historic site.
ISKCON Temple
Up next was a visit to the ISKCON Kurukshetra, where a grand temple is taking shape. The temple is designed as a massive chariot pulled by 4 gargantuan white horses.
Jyotisar
The best was saved for the last, the ancient wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, came alive at Jyotisar through a mesmerizing sound and light show. Jyotisar is the place where the Bhagavad Gita was born. The event culminated with a spell-binding spectacle of Vishwaroopa Darshan, at the very place where Arjun stared stupefied at the form revealed to him by Shri Krishna.
The 2nd Mahabharata Circuit Conference and Fam Tour concluded on a high note, and the delegates from across India returned with experiences that they would cherish for a lifetime. The hallowed land of Kurukshetra awaits with open arms to welcome people from across the world to experience its heritage, culture, and spirituality.
This Mahabharat circuit conference marked a pivotal move in showcasing Kurukshetra as a cultural gem within India’s tourism landscape. By bringing attention to the city’s unique historical and spiritual landmarks, the Ministry of Tourism through the Mahabharat circuit worked to draw more travelers to experience Kurukshetra’s profound heritage. For the participants, it was an opportunity to immerse themselves in the historic and spiritual essence of Kurukshetra, carrying forward the rich stories of this sacred city — inspiring others to discover the treasures that lie in Haryana, India.
Through impactful initiatives like Dekho Apna Desh and Swadesh Darshan, MoT’s Mahabharat circuit conference shines a light on the value of domestic tourism. It encourages a deeper national pride and fosters a collective sense of connection to India’s diverse and vibrant heritage. These efforts not only promote cultural awareness but also invite every Indian to explore the incredible tapestry of history and tradition that makes India so unique.
We hope you found this post about the MoT hosted 2nd Mahabharata Circuit Conference and Fam Tour insightful, of which we were privileged to be a part. Do let us know if you need further information about Kurukshetra. Stay tuned for in-depth blog posts about the places to visit and experience in Kurukshetra.
Ministry of Tourism’s Northern Regional Office hosted us, but our views and opinions are our own.
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