Broader Barahakshetra and the Kaushiki Region

Kichhakbadh, Jhapa

Kichhakbadh is a spiritual and archaeological site directly connected to the story discussed in the text of the Mahabharata. It is located about 10 kilometres away from Chandragadi, Jhapa. This is the place where the mighty Bhimasena had a fierce battle with Kichhaka, the Chief of Army of King Birata, and eventually killed him with a blow of his favoured weapon, Gadha. The fight took place in the palace of King Birata during the disguised shelter of the Pandavas. The Mahabharata Virata-Parva includes a clear discussion of this incident originally caused by Kichhaka’s misbehaviour with Draupadi, the wife of the Pandava brothers.

The ruins of ancient monuments with foundations and archaeological artifacts can still be seen at the site of Kichhakbadh. A comparatively recent statue of the killing of Kichchaka by Bhimasena also stands as one of the attractions.

Arjundhara Dhaam, Jhapa

Arjunpokhari or Arjundhara is a common pilgrimage centre for the Vedic-Sanatanis. Whilst it consists of a prominent and attractive temple of Lord Shiva, the key Mahabharata spiritual centre is the main water pond and waterspout located in the site. The historic pond has been rebuilt and maintained changing the old or natural shape of the pond: it is identified as the source of water where Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers, used his parjanyastra to spew out water from the earth in order to save the hundreds of thousands of cattle from King Birata’s palace who were seized by the Kauravas’ army following a brutal attack.

The Mahabharata includes a description of the Pandavas’ disguised shelter in King Birata’s palace and the attack of the Kaurava army against his kingdom during their disguised stay (guptavasa). Whilst the Arjundhara Dhaam has been rebuilt in a modern manner, the natural water-source, pond and spout have been well preserved. In addition, the ancient Mahabharata site holds newly-found statues of Arjuna and the cattle.        

Besides the abovementioned Mahabharata pilgrimage centres of the Kaushiki region of Eastern Nepal, Krishna-Thumka near Kakarvitta, Satasi Dhaam in Jhiljhile, Jhapa, and Pandabpur in Jhapa are also equally important pilgrimage centres related to the Mahabharata.

Bhediyari and King Birata’s Palace in Morang

Bhediyari is the spiritual and archaeological site of the ancient palace of King Birata, the location of the disguised shelter of the Pandavas’, commonly known as Guptavasa. The Mahabharata Virata-Parva includes a discussion of their stay in the palace disguised as helpers and entertainers. Via chance and surface findings and trial trench excavations conducted through the Department of Archaeology, Government of Nepal, many archaeological objects and evidences have been found, identified and recorded from this ancient site of the Mahabharata period including: remains of water ponds, building structures, ancient bricks, historic wells, precious stones, Shivalingas’, historic coins, different kinds of terracotta objects, ancient measurement objects, temple ruins, inscriptions, etc.

Varahakshetra and the Great Pilgrimage of the Pandavas’ in and around the areas of the Kaushiki (Koshi) River Valley Civilisation

There is a pervasive belief that the Pandava brothers went for a trans-Himalayan pilgrimage up to the Yakshdesha, also known popularly as the Kailasha-Manasarovara region or Swarga (ultimate abode of the Kailashapati Mahadeva and other gods and goddesses). The question relating to the connection between the Panchapandavas’ activities in the Kaushiki River Valley civilisation areas and the Terai of Eastern Nepal is very important for the tracing of the spiritual circuit concerning the Mahabharata.

The Kaushiki River Valley region of Nepal used to be known as one of the most significant peaceful and popular areas for high meditation (tapobhumi) for sages, scholars, yogis and hermits during and prior to the battle of the Mahabharata. The name Koshi or Kaushiki itself has connection with the name of Rishi Kushika, whose hermitage is said to be located at the confluence of River Koshi and its tributary. Both the great epics Mahabharata and Ramayana describe the importance of Varahakshetra and the Kokaa-Saptakoshi confluence as the favoured place for peaceful meditation and hermitage. The Mahabharata Adi Parva clearly mentions Sage Vishwamitra’s Ashrama (72-30) located at the bank of the River Saptakoshi near Varahakshetra. According to Valmikiya Ramayana Rishi Vashishtha, Rishi Vishwmitra also had his hermitage in this spiritual place. It is believed that Rishi Ritik’s wife and Rishi Vishwamitr’s sister Satyawati had taken the form of the River Saptakoshi after their untimely deaths. Thus, Rishi Vishwamitra took the decision to settle at the bank of the Saptakoshi in loving memory of his sister. It is also possible that Rishi Richik had his hermitage in the same area.

Adilinga and Pindeshwar Dhama, Dharan in the Kaushiki Valley

The Himawatkhanda Purana describes the presence of Adilinga near the bank of the River Saptakoshi where during the Pandavas’ activities in and around the Koshi region or on the way to the Himalayas, Tibet and the Yakshadesha, they repeatedly visited, prayed and worshipped the Adilinga. The Adilinga’s name became popular as Pandaveshwara slowly changed into Pindeshwar.    

Kaushiki River Valley was amongst the great spiritual pilgrimage routes connecting the Trans-Himalayan part of Bhotadesha (Tibet) with the intention of pilgrimage to Kailasa-Manasarovara. The Terai or plain part of the Kaushiki region was one of the highly referred areas of the Mahabharata era. In context of the current political map of Nepal, Mahabharata activities took place in the districts of Morang, Jhapa and Sunsari. The Kaushiki region has also been identified as the area where Bhimasena, the second Pandava brother, fought many fights defeating enemies. The importance and glorification of the Kaushiki region appears in the Raghuvamsha of leading Sanskrit Poet Kalidasa where the River Sapta-Kaushiki is identified as Mahakoshi and as one of the principal abodes of Lord Shiva. This place has now been identified with the Adilinga or Pindeshwar Dhaama in Dharan, Sunsari.    

The Mahabharata and Vishnupaduka of the Saptakoshi and Kokaakoshi confluence in Varahakshetra (Kokaamukh Varahakshetra) in the Kaushiki Valley 

The Mahabharata consists of a clear description of the spiritual importance of the confluence of the Kokaakoshi and Saptakoshi Rivers (Mahabharata3/84-158). Special spiritual and cultural importance of the Vishnupaduka and the Saptakoshi-Kokaakoshi confluence has been discussed in the Mahabharata and in different Puranas including Varahapurana (140/1-100), Brahmapurana (119/1-140) and Padmapurana, Himavatkhanda of Skandapurana (all the verses of chapter 34-35). This spiritual destination has been described as the ultimate destination for offering sharaddha to deceased ancestors. According to a story discussed in the Varahapurana, Lord Vishnu paid a visit to the site to offer tarpana-shraddha to deceased ancestors who were not being able to get salvation and thus, opened the path to heaven for them.   

It seems that the Pandava brothers while on their way to the Himalayas, Bhotadesha and Yakshadesha, and upon completion of their victorious and diverse activities in the plain areas and foothills of the Saptakaushiki region, travelled through the Upper Arun and Varun Valleys as well as many other sacred and beautiful mountain valleys and passes of Nepal. During their journey through the Kaushiki River Valley, they crossed several hills, gorges, jungles, lakes, ponds, settlements and caves in the local areas of the Kirata people. Simultaneously, they also visited important pilgrimage centres including Vishnupaduka, Kokah, Varahkshetra, Pindeshwar, Tumling-Mankamanaa, Siddhikalika-Chenpori (Chainpur), Guphapokhari, Sabhapokhari, Shivadhara (of Varun Valley), etc.

Itinerary

Locations on Mahabharata Circuit

Mahabharata Circuit , Nepal

Mahabharata Circuit , India