The Gujjari Mahal was built by Firoz Shah Tughlaq for his beloved Gujri Rani, a native of Hisar with whom he fell in love during the course of one of his hunting expeditions. Open stairs lead to the baradari (pavilion) of the palace, which stands on a high plinth and has underground chambers. The baradari is a square structure having three developed arches on each side. All entrances (except one) are provided with stone doorframes. The roof has nine bays, each carrying hemispherical dome decorated with paneling work in lime plaster. The exterior walls above the arched openings are provided with beautifully carved red sandstone brackets.
Rishi Kardam practiced penance for many years at this place. The name of the place has been derived from the story that Lord Brahma attended Kardam Rishi’s marriage and he arrived on ‘Hans’ (goose). This is the place where Pandavas offered Pinds to their ancestors. There is a Shiva temple and Bindusar ‘tirtha’ situated at this place. People in large number come here to take an ablution on Somvati Amavas.
According to a Persian inscription over the main entrance, it was built by Nawab Shah Quil Khan, who was the Governor of Narnaul for 52 long years. The entrance to the palace is in the north through a gatehouse, with rooms for guards constructed over a bridge resting on sixteen arched-spans. The palace consists of a square central chamber with four small chambers on the four corners. Four staircases, two each on the northern and southern faces, give access to the upper storeys. The roof of the central chamber is crowned by an octagonal cupola surrounded by a hemispherical dome balanced on four smaller cupolas placed over the corner chambers . The Jal Mahal was constructed during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar in 1590-91 AD. The construction of the tank was completed in 1592-93 AD.
It is believed that Mahabharata battle started from Jyotisar, where on the eve of the battle deluded Arjuna received the eternal message of Gita from its propounder Lord Krishna. It is said that Adi Sankaracharya has identified the place during his sojourn to Himalaya in the 9th centenary of Christian era. In 1850 A.D. King of Kashmir constructed one Shiva temple at the tirtha. Again in 1924, King of Darbhanga raised a stone platform around the holy banyan tree, which according to devouts is the evidence of the song celestial i.e Gita. In 1967 Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kama Koti Peetha. Installed the Chariot showing Gita Updesha on the platform facing east. The tirtha in the past might be comprising the ancient temple, but they could not sustain because of the fury of the invaders in medieval times. Architectural member of one such temple of 9th-10th century is placed on the main platform of the temple. The Haryana, Tourism is running a light and sound show daily here in Hindi and English in the evening.
The Kos-minars, erected during reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir are the earliest known examples of the ‘road milestones’ in the Indian History. In 1619 AD, Emperor Jahangir ordered Bakir Khan, the Fauzdar of Multan, to erect a minaret at every Kos (a distance of 2 miles and approximately 3.22 kms.) on the old imperial route. Kos-minars are plastered solid bricks structures standing on a square platform.
The name Asandhivat (Asandh) has been mentioned in the Indian scriptures like Brahmanas and Sutras. In the scriptures, it has been suggested that in ancient past, it must have been an important site where painted greyware, and Kushana coins and bricks were found. It was also known as Jarassanndh ka Qila during the medieval times. It is located at a distance of about 40 kms. south-west of Karnal. The stupa must have originally been a very gigantic structure as the mound still rises to a height of more than 25 metres. It indicates circular drum with an elongated dome. The core was filled up with bricks and earth between the walls formed the spokes. In an exposed area, a circular wall made of baked bricks (as many as 44 courses of bricks) was noticed. The bricks used are approximately 34 to 35.5 cm x 21.5 to 23cmx5to 6cm in dimension.
The mosque is a combination of structures, L-shaped ablution tank and a Lat (Pillar). The mosque is built partly of red and buff sandstone and partly of rubble masonry having thick plaster. Possibly extricated from destroyed Hindu temples, the stone pillars with floral and geometrical designs engraved on them support the main arched openings of the mosque. The main prayer hall has nine bays consisting of arches supported on pillars. It has a carved qibla and a pulpit in the western wall. Within the courtyard in the north-east, there is a Lat (Pillar) and the mosque is named after it. The Lat, made of sandstone, is a part of an Ashokan pillar. A few letters in Mauryan Brahmi script can be seen at the top, while in the lower portion, names of a few individuals/pilgrims have been inscribed on a subsequent date.
Episodes from the epic Mahabharata come alive in the engaging Light and Sound Show at Jyotisar, where tourists and locals gather alike to witness a period in history and mythology through a vibrant medium of colours and lights. This multi-sensory show uses a combination of film, light, sound and water to bring the spirit of the divine tales to life. Every evening, as the sun sets, visitors and local alike queue up to be audience to this innovative story telling. The well researched, visually alluring and eloquently narrated mythological tales are a work of art, worth admiring.
