KURUKSHETRA AS A SPIRITUAL LEARNING SPACE: A BHAGAVAD GITA BASED MODEL FOR PEACE-BUILDING THROUGH PILGRIMAGE TOURISM

Abstract: Kurukshetra, the battlefield of the Mahabharata and the site of the revelation of the Bhagavad Gita, represents one of India’s most significant spiritual heritage landscapes. Previous pilgrimage tourism studies have largely focused on sustainability, infrastructure development, and visitor satisfaction, while pilgrimage destinations as structured spiritual learning environments for peace-building outcomes have received limited empirical attention. Addressing this gap, the present study conceptualises Kurukshetra as a spiritual learning space and examines the application of Bhagavad Gita based ethical values Swadharma (righteous duty), Nishkama Karma (selfless action), compassion, and inner balance within the pilgrimage tourism experience. The study employed a quantitative cross-sectional research design and collected data from 1,000 pilgrims and visitors at major pilgrimage sites in Kurukshetra. Independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis. The findings reveal statistically significant differences in spiritual learning and peace perception across visitor categories and demonstrate that Gita-based ethical values exert a strong and positive influence on peace-building perception. The study contributes to heritage and pilgrimage tourism literature by positioning pilgrimage destinations as informal spiritual learning spaces capable of fostering ethical reflection, social harmony, and sustainable peace. Keywords: Pilgrimage tourism; spiritual learning; Bhagavad Gita; peace-building; heritage tourism; Kurukshetra. Title: KURUKSHETRA AS A SPIRITUAL LEARNING SPACE: A BHAGAVAD GITA BASED MODEL FOR PEACE-BUILDING THROUGH PILGRIMAGE TOURISM Author: Dr. Vivek Gaur, Mukesh Kumar International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations ISSN 2348-7585 (Online) Vol. 14, Issue 1, April 2026 - September 2026 Page No: 159-169 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 20-April-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19661026 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/kurukshetra-as-a-spiritual-learning-space-a-bhagavad-gita-based-model-for-peace-building-through-pilgrimage-tourism