UP to develop Mahabharata’s Lakshagriha site in Baghpat as major heritage tourism hub

The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department has cleared an ambitious plan to develop Lakshagriha, the legendary site in Baghpat district associated with the Mahabharata, as a major religious and heritage tourism destination.

Located at Baranava village (Varanavat) on the banks of the Hindon and Krishna rivers, the site is remembered as the palace of lac built by the Kauravas in their failed plot to kill the Pandavas by fire.

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The project, sanctioned under the Mahabharata Circuit, carries an allocation of Rs 1 crore for integrated tourism development. Facilities such as beautification, modern lighting, sanitation, drinking water, rest areas, and visitor information centres will be created, making Lakshagriha more accessible and appealing to both pilgrims and history enthusiasts.

UP Tourism & Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said here on Thursday that, “Lakshagriha is one of the most significant episodes in the Mahabharata, symbolising both conspiracy and resilience. By developing this site, we are not only preserving a cultural treasure but also opening new avenues for tourism and local prosperity. Lakshagriha’s revival will strengthen Baghpat’s place in India’s religious and cultural tourism.”

Located just 35 km from Baghpat town and near the Delhi–Meerut highway, the site retains visible remnants of its past. A mound with steps leads to the ruins marked under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India. For centuries, locals have pointed to the traces of the epic episode, where the Pandavas and their mother Kunti narrowly escaped the Kauravas’ fiery plot.

The Lakshagriha story has fascinated generations, from scholars and archaeologists to common devotees. The palace, built of lac and other combustible materials, is referenced multiple times in the Mahabharata as a major turning point in the rivalry between the Kauravas and Pandavas. Visitors to Baranava can still witness signs of the ancient setting that tie the present to one of India’s most enduring epics.