Kurukshetra has no commercial airport. The nearest airports are Chandigarh (IXC), about 95 km away, and Delhi (DEL), about 160 km away, with onward travel by road along NH-44 or by train to Kurukshetra Junction. The International Gita Mahotsav is held by the Haryana government at Brahma Sarovar and is built around Gita Jayanti, so check the official dates before booking.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
The International Gita Mahotsav is one of Haryana’s biggest annual fairs. Because Kurukshetra is not served by scheduled flights, the trip needs a flight plus a road or rail leg. Here is how to put it together.
What is the International Gita Mahotsav?
It is a festival celebrating the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, held by the Government of Haryana at Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra, the place associated with Krishna’s teaching to Arjuna. Its main events culminate around Gita Jayanti, the 11th day of the waxing moon (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu month of Margashirsha.
The programme usually includes Gita recitation, yagyas, bhajans, aartis, cultural performances, fairs, and discussions and seminars on the Gita. The 2025 edition, for example, ran from 15 November to 5 December 2025, with the main events from 24 November to 1 December and Gita Jayanti on 1 December 2025.
When is the Gita Mahotsav in 2026?
The Haryana government sets the exact dates each year, and no officially published 2026 schedule was available when this guide was written. So no festival date range is given here. What can be said is that the festival is built around Gita Jayanti, which in 2026 is calculated by India-based calendars to fall on Sunday 20 December 2026. Some calendars set to other time zones show 19 December, because the Ekadashi tithi begins late on 19 December in India. Check a panchang for your city.
Because the festival runs for weeks before Gita Jayanti, with different events on different days, decide which part you want to attend. Wait for the official announcement, then match your flights to those days.
Does Kurukshetra have an airport?
No. The district administration lists the nearest airports as Chandigarh, about 95 km away via NH-44, and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, about 160 km via NH-44. The national tourism portal gives similar figures, about 100 km for Chandigarh and 160 km for Delhi. Distances differ a little between sources, so treat them as approximate.
- Chandigarh (IXC): the closer airport, with a shorter road leg north to Kurukshetra.
- Delhi (DEL): farther, but the biggest choice of flights from across India and abroad.
How do you get from the airport to Kurukshetra?
NH-44, the Grand Trunk Road, links Delhi, Panipat, Karnal, Ambala and Chandigarh with Kurukshetra, so taxis, private cars and buses can all make the trip. Taxis are also available at both airports.
Kurukshetra Junction is on the Delhi-Kalka railway line, which makes the train a sensible alternative, especially from Delhi. If you land in Delhi, you can choose between a long taxi ride and going to a railway station first. Compare the total time, not just the distance, and add a buffer for festival traffic. Whichever you choose, confirm the exact pick-up point and the last return option so that you are not stuck late at night after the evening events end.
One practical point on the choice of airport: because NH-44 and the Delhi-Kalka railway line both pass through Kurukshetra, you are not tied to one onward mode. You can decide between a taxi and a train after you land, based on timing and on how crowded the roads look that day. Keep your return plan just as flexible, and avoid scheduling a flight home on the evening of the biggest event.
If you are travelling with elderly relatives, think about the total door-to-door time rather than flight time alone. A short flight followed by a couple of hours on the road can be tiring, and a night’s rest before the main event often makes the visit more enjoyable. If anyone needs assistance at the airport, request it from the airline directly when you book.
How should you plan the trip?
- Choose the day first. Pick the events you want, then book flights around them.
- Compare both airports. Chandigarh is closer, but Delhi may have a better flight from your city.
- Book early. Late November and December are busy travel months in India, and fares tend to rise as the date approaches.
- Avoid tight connections. Fairs bring heavy road traffic near Brahma Sarovar. Build in extra time on the day you fly back.
- Dress for the season. Northern India is typically cold in December, especially in the morning and evening.
Common Questions
What is the nearest airport to Kurukshetra?
Chandigarh, about 95 km away. Delhi is about 160 km away and has more flights.
Where is the Gita Mahotsav held?
At Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra, Haryana, organised by the Government of Haryana.
When is Gita Jayanti in 2026?
India-based calendars show Sunday 20 December 2026, though some show 19 December depending on location. Confirm with a local panchang.
Are the 2026 festival dates announced?
No official announcement was available when this was written. Check Haryana government announcements before you book anything that cannot be changed.
Is there a train to Kurukshetra?
Yes. Kurukshetra Junction is on the Delhi-Kalka line and also has a branch line to Jind.
Which road connects the airports to Kurukshetra?
NH-44, the Grand Trunk Road, connects Delhi and Chandigarh with Kurukshetra.
Planning a Kurukshetra trip? Compare flights to Chandigarh and Delhi on HappyFares, set a price alert, and enjoy zero convenience fee on domestic bookings.
Dates, distances and fees change; verify current specifics with the airline, the airport and the festival organisers before you travel.
