In most ancient hindu texts, Kurukshetra is not a city but a region ("kshetra" meaning "region" in sanskrit). The boundaries of Kurukshetra correspond roughly to the central and western parts of state of Haryana and southern Punjab.

The present town of Thanesar is located on an ancient mound. Thanesar derives its name from the word "Sthaneshwar", which means "Place of God". Local hearsay identifies the legendary 'Kurukshetra' with a place near Thanesar.

Kurukshetra grew so much that on 23rd January 1973, a new district named Kurukshetra district was created, of which Thanesar was the main town. People now tend, mistakenly, to refer to Thanesar town as 'Kurukshetra'.

There are 6 Historic Sikh Gurdwaras in Thanesar and Kurukshetra.

Gurdwara Sri Siddh Vati Sahib marks the site of the visit of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji during the solar eclipse. Guru Nanak explained that the solar eclipse is a natural phenomenon and has nothing to do with Gods and demons. People consider it a sin to cook on the day of eclipse and cooking meat at pilgrim centres was considered to be an unpardonable sin. A debate about non-vegetarian food started. Large number of people stood there, listening to the debate. It was argued that the hindu scriptures forbade meat eating and that the hindu ancestors only ate vegetarian food.