This milky-white marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, sitting
above a small lake 1km northeast of Mehrangarh, is an array of whimsical
domes. It’s a welcome, peaceful spot after the hubbub of the city, and
the views across to the fort and over the city are superb. Built in
1899, the cenotaph has some beautiful jalis (carved-marble lattice screens) and is hung with portraits of Rathore rulers going back to the 13th century.
With the new capital established at Mehrangarh after moving from Mandor, the cenotaph of the royal family of Marwar, wanted new cenotaph. Jaswant Thada was named after the first royal Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, for whom it was created, built by his son Maharaja Sardar Singh, this memorial also, houses the paintings and pictures of other Marwar Rulers.The cenotaph are quite different from the ones in Mandor. While those were made of earthy red material, these were pure white building.
Popularly referred to as the “Taj Mahal of Marwar”, Jaswant Thada is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. Considered an epitome of Rajputana architectural style, essentially an amalgam of Mughal and Hindu structural design, it displays lattice work in marble of the finest finesse, reflecting the creative genius and sculptural prowess of the artisans of the time.
The extremely thin sheets of marbles used in the construction of the tomb have been polished in such a manner that they emit a warm glow with a subtle hue as the rays of a dawn Sun gently strikes its surface. The structure, which has a central pyramidical dome surrounded by several smaller domes running along the perimeter of what looks like a terrace, resembles a temple rather than a tomb. The magnificence of the edifice is enhanced by a small lake with crystal clear water, a multi-tiered garden and carved gazebos surrounding it.
A life-size marble statue of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II seated on a horse welcomes us at the entrance to the cenotaph complex. A flight of impeccable white marble steps brings us to the main memorial which is adorned with artistic sculptures, frescos, domes, pillars and exquisite latticework in marble. On its walls, portraits of several rulers of Jodhpur, dating back from the 13 century, are displayed. The elaborate ornamentation and dancing figures sculpted on the pillars that adorn the monument dedicated to the queens who sacrificed their lives on the pyre of Maharaja Jaswant Singh, are simply breathtaking. Apart from the main tomb, the cenotaph complex also houses three other memorials to successive rulers. An interesting and unique aspect associated with the complex is a memorial to a peacock which is believed to have flown into a funeral pyre.
Getting to Jaswant Thada:
Travel Tips:
With the new capital established at Mehrangarh after moving from Mandor, the cenotaph of the royal family of Marwar, wanted new cenotaph. Jaswant Thada was named after the first royal Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, for whom it was created, built by his son Maharaja Sardar Singh, this memorial also, houses the paintings and pictures of other Marwar Rulers.The cenotaph are quite different from the ones in Mandor. While those were made of earthy red material, these were pure white building.
Popularly referred to as the “Taj Mahal of Marwar”, Jaswant Thada is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. Considered an epitome of Rajputana architectural style, essentially an amalgam of Mughal and Hindu structural design, it displays lattice work in marble of the finest finesse, reflecting the creative genius and sculptural prowess of the artisans of the time.
The extremely thin sheets of marbles used in the construction of the tomb have been polished in such a manner that they emit a warm glow with a subtle hue as the rays of a dawn Sun gently strikes its surface. The structure, which has a central pyramidical dome surrounded by several smaller domes running along the perimeter of what looks like a terrace, resembles a temple rather than a tomb. The magnificence of the edifice is enhanced by a small lake with crystal clear water, a multi-tiered garden and carved gazebos surrounding it.
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| Life-size marble statue of Maharaj Jaswant Singh and in Background Mehrangarh Fort |
A life-size marble statue of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II seated on a horse welcomes us at the entrance to the cenotaph complex. A flight of impeccable white marble steps brings us to the main memorial which is adorned with artistic sculptures, frescos, domes, pillars and exquisite latticework in marble. On its walls, portraits of several rulers of Jodhpur, dating back from the 13 century, are displayed. The elaborate ornamentation and dancing figures sculpted on the pillars that adorn the monument dedicated to the queens who sacrificed their lives on the pyre of Maharaja Jaswant Singh, are simply breathtaking. Apart from the main tomb, the cenotaph complex also houses three other memorials to successive rulers. An interesting and unique aspect associated with the complex is a memorial to a peacock which is believed to have flown into a funeral pyre.
Getting to Jaswant Thada:
- Jodhpur has its own airport with connectivity to major cities of India. You can also reach Jodhpur by road or rail.
- Jaswant Thada is situated 1Km away from Mehrangarh Fort, you can hire cab, taxi.
Travel Tips:
- The entrance fees for this attraction is INR 15 for Indian Citizen and INR 30 for foreign citizens. For still camera INR 25 and for video INR 50.
- Jaswant Thada is open from 9 AM - 5 PM all day.
- Remember to open footwear before entering the cenotaph building.
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