Jaswant Thada Cenotaph and Mandore - Rajasthan, India
As if there wasn't enough to occupy the time inside Mehrangarh Fort and Museum in Jodhpur, other sights were located not too far from the fort. Jaswant Thada is the closest, only one kilometer away. Another eye-popping white marble sight in the arid desert that is more impressive from the distance. At first, we thought it was another palace. There were ancient and crumbling fort walls still winding their way through the hills. Small patches of green. Dry sand and nothingness. It's no wonder that this kingdom was once called Marwar, also known as the "Land of Dead."
This architectural landmark was built to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh in 1899 and it was difficult to comprehend that it was just a cenotaph (monument). There are two more tombs inside and Jaswant Thada is a traditional cremation ground of Jodhpur rulers. Walk around to visit the gazebos, gardens, and a small lake before you leave.
From Jaswant Thada to the town of Mandore located 9 km/6 miles north of Jodhpur. Mandore was the capital of Marwar before the founding of Jodhpur and tourists visit to see the Mandore Gardens. Here too are cenotaphs of many rulers (one was built in 1793), temples and terraces along with the Hall of Heroes that commemorates popular folk heroes of the region. This hall contains 16 figures carved out of a single rock.
Of more interest to us than the Hall of Heroes was the "Temple of 33 crore Gods." FYI: I didn't have a clue what a "crore" is. The dictionary states that a "crore" is the sum of ten million in India, and there are supposed to be 330 million Hindu Gods. It's no wonder that the elephant and monkey gods are the only Hindu deities recognizable to me and I'm forever telling guides, "Please don't explain each one. I won't remember."
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