The cemetery (122mx76m) has a boundary wall about 2.5 m high and it houses about 500 graves of European soldiers who died here in the British cantonment at Karnal. All the graves except a few are absolutely modest in appearance, having been raised on bricks platforms rising to the height of 1.5 to 2 metres.
So it is named after the Mughals. Before the first battle of Panipat, Babur camped at Gharaunda. At present, there are two gateways present here. They are located within a distance of about 100 metres. The Sarai is quadrangular in shape with cells on all four sides. Existing gateways form a part of northern and southern walls and they both have three-storeys and are made of ‘Lakhauri’bricks. It is decorated with panels,balconies, rounded towers and angular flutes.
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.
This is a stone bridge having three arches, which are structurally sound. The piers of the arches on the both ends are strengthened by buttresses with marked positions indicated by four small minars with domed tops.
It is believed that this is the site of famous Chakravyuha, arranged by the Kauravas to fight with Pandavas. Abhimanyu, the son of Arjun had been trapped in this Chakravyuha and killed during Mahabharata war. The ancient site, in the shape of a mound, occupies an area of 650×250 m. with maximum height of 10 m. Two inscribed red sandstone pillars adorn with reliefs of Yaksha and other decorative motifs of Circa 2nd century BC were found here and at present are displayed in the Sculpture Gallery at National Museum, New Delhi.
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.
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.
This monument was used by the royal family members for stay during the days of religious performances at Kurukshetra. The building stands on a raised platform. The entrance gate is on the eastern side and its either sides are decorated with four arched niches (Miharab). There are two beautiful pillared windows (Jharokha) on the second floor of the building. The base and the top of these pillars have been decorated with lotus design. A temple dedicated to God Brahma is constructed on the top of the monument. It is fifteen-feet tall and built on Navaratha (nine corners) plan. The wooden door on entrance is studded with decorative iron nails, which represent the Hindu style of architecture in early British era. The main entrance through another gate leads to a rectangular courtyard. The stairs on the southern side of the courtyard lead to the temple on the second storey.
The ceiling of the mosque rests on pillars that are decorated with floral designs carved in low relief. The ‘qibla’ in the centre of the western wall is flanked on either side by two arched niches inscribed with verses from the Quran. The masonry terrace forming the front court was certainly added at a later stage. On the basis of the style of architecture, the Masjid appears to have been built in the 17th century AD.
The site spread over an area of 1kmx750 m. This site was excavated by Shri B.M.Pandey of Archaeological Survey of India. A few potsherds of Painted Grey Ware found from the lowest level of the site indicate the existence of a settlement before starting a continuous habitation at the site since Christian era. The excavated material ranging from Circa 1st century AD to 19th century was divided in six cultural periods.
