Khandava Forest

Khandava Forest (Khandava Vana, Sanskrit: खाण्डव वन, IAST: Khāṇḍava Vana) or Khandavprastha (Sanskrit: खाण्डवप्रस्‍थ; IAST: Khāṇḍavaprastha) was an ancient forest mentioned in the epic Mahabharata.[1] It lay to the west of Yamuna river, in modern-day Delhi territory. Pandavas cleared this forest to construct their capital city called Indraprastha. This forest was earlier inhabited by Naga tribes led by a king named Takshaka.[2] Arjuna and Krishna cleared this forest by setting up a fire. The inhabitants of this forest were displaced. This was the root cause of the enmity of the Naga Takshaka towards the Kuru kings who ruled from Indraprastha and Hastinapura.[2]

Krishna and Arjuna burn the Khandava forest and battle with the gods.

It is said that Agni, the god of fire needed to burn down the forest so that he could satisfy his hunger. There was no other thing that would have satisfied his hunger. But each time, he put up a fire there, Indra made it rain and the fire was put to a stop. So in disguise, Agni approached Krishna and Arjuna and asked for help. The Mahabharata states that Indra was the protecting deity (deva) of Khandava forest, which is why the region was known as Indraprastha.[3] When the forest was being burned, Indra attacked Arjuna with his bolt (vajra), injuring him.[4] But Arjuna defeated all gods, Gandharvas and demons in that fierce battle and burnt the entire forest.[5] Chhapadeshwar Mahadev Mandir in Kharkhoda, Haryana was the part of Khandav Van.[6][7][8]

Khanda village in Kharkhoda tehsil of Sonipat district in Haryana state was named after the Khandava Forest.[9]