Kingdom of the Mahabharata
Virata
विराट
Site of Pandavas' Agyatvas (incognito exile)
Virata: Site of Pandavas' Agyatvas (incognito exile), located at coordinates 27.45°N, 76.18°E.
Key Facts
| Type | Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit name | विराट |
| Coordinates | 27.45°N, 76.18°E |
| Significance | Site of Pandavas' Agyatvas (incognito exile) |
About Virata
The kingdom where the Pandavas spent their 13th year of exile in disguise. King Virata sheltered them without knowing their true identity. Identified with modern Bairat (Viratnagar), Rajasthan.
Why it matters: Site of Pandavas' Agyatvas (incognito exile)
Rulers and Custodians
- King Virata
Details
- Yudhishthira
- Disguised as Kanka, courtier
- Bhima
- Disguised as Ballava, cook
- Arjuna
- Disguised as Brihannala, eunuch dance teacher
- Nakula
- Disguised as Granthika, horse keeper
- Sahadeva
- Disguised as Tantripal, cowherd
- Draupadi
- Disguised as Sairandhri, queen's maid
On the Map
Virata
Virata sits at 27.45°N, 76.18°E.
View on the full mapEvents at Virata
- Entering Virata in DisguiseYear -16For the thirteenth year, the Pandavas hide their weapons in a shami tree and enter King Virata's service in disguise: a courtier, a cook, a dance-teacher, two keepers of horse and cattle, and a queen's hairdresser.
- Brihannala Teaches the PrincessYear -16As Brihannala, Arjuna teaches singing and dancing to Princess Uttaraa and her companions in the inner apartments, the world's greatest archer keeping time with bangled wrists.
- Virata Cattle TheftYear -15Duryodhana attacks Virata to expose the Pandavas. Arjuna, as Brihannala, defeats the entire Kaurava army including Bhishma and Drona.
- Year of HidingYear -15The Pandavas spend their thirteenth year in disguise at King Virata's court, with Yudhishthira as a dice player and Draupadi as a handmaiden.
- Abhimanyu Marries UttaraYear -15After the Pandavas reveal themselves, Abhimanyu marries Princess Uttara, daughter of King Virata.
- Kichaka KilledYear -15Bhima kills General Kichaka who tried to assault Draupadi while she was disguised as a maid named Sairandhri.