Kanyakubja

Key Facts

About Kanyakubja

The ancient kingdom of Kanyakubja (Kannauj), renowned for its warriors and learning. Played a crucial role in the Kurukshetra war.

Why it matters: Major ally kingdom

Rulers and Custodians

• ✦ King of Kanyakubja

Details

Culture

Center of Vedic learning

Alliance

Fought on Kaurava side in the war

On the Map

Kanyakubja sits at 27.05°N, 79.87°E, in Central Uttar Pradesh.

Events at Kanyakubja

• The Sinner Who Called the NameYear 62Ajamila, a brahmin fallen into a lifetime of sin, cries his youngest son's name 'Narayana' as the messengers of death come for him; the holy name summons the messengers of Vishnu, who turn death away. Given a reprieve, the old sinner becomes a true devotee and attains the Lord.Read the story ➳

Stories Set at Kanyakubja

• The Boy Bound for Sacrifice

  Freed from the stake by prayer and a sage's compassion

  ❧ 9 min

• The Sinner Who Called the Name

  A fallen brahmin saved at death by the holy name

  ❧ 10 min

• The Two Bowls of Rice

  How a mother's swap made a brahmana of one line and a warrior of the other

  ❧ 17 min

• The Two Pots of Rice

  A mother and daughter exchange their bowls and exchange their sons

  ❧ 16 min

• The Feast Shibi Cooked

  A brahmana demands the king's son as his meal, and Shibi obeys without changing colour

  ❧ 15 min

Characters Connected

• ✦ Yudhishthira
• ✦ Vishnu
• ✦ Bhishma
• ✦ Richika
• ✦ Gadhi
• ✦ Satyavati
• ✦ Jamadagni
• ✦ Vishvamitra
• ✦ Parashurama
• ✦ Varuna
• ✦ Bhrigu
• ✦ Vashishtha

Nearby Places

• MakandiCity31 km away
• NaimisharanyaSacred Site70 km away
• KampilyaKingdom85 km away
• Salmali ForestForest115 km away
• AhichchhatraKingdom164 km away
• YamunaRiver184 km away