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Tourist Destinations of Rajasthan
Jodhpur
Mandore
"The
beautiful city of Mandore has extensive Mandore Gardens, the imposing
Cenotaphs of Maharja Dhiraj Ajit Singh and Maharaja Dhiraj Jaswant Singh,
government museum, hall of heroes and the fascinating shire of 33 crore
gods as its prime attractions."
Mandore, 9 km to the north of
Jodhpur, was the capital of Marwar before the foundation of Jodhpur. It
was founded in the 6th century, and passed to the Rathore Rajputs in 1381
after a marriage alliance between a princess fo the original founders, the
Pratiharas, and the Rathode Raja, Rao Chandor. Today the main attraction
here is the far-reaching Mandore gardens with there high rock terraces.
The gardens also contain the chatries (cenotaphs) of the Rathode rulers.
One of the most imposing is the Cenotaph of Maharja Dhiraj Ajit Singh, an
enormous edifice with carved elephants, amalake (disk-shaped flourishes
with fluted edges), a pillared fore chamber with fine sculpture. You can
climb to the third storey up a peculiar set of staircases. Opposite is the
17th century Chatri of Maharaja Dhiraj Jaswant Singh, an enormous
octagonal pavilion with a vast dome and huge pillars. It achieves a
remarkable symmetry, with a gallery supported by pillars and sculptures of
Krishna and the gopies (milkmaids).
At the rear of the complex, to the
right is the small government museum. To the left is the Hall of Heros,
with 15 figures carved out of a rock wall. The brightly painted figures
represent Hindu deities or local Rajput Heroes on horseback. The Shrine of
33 Crore Gods is painted with figures of deities and spirits.
Jodhpur
Travel Map

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