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Mandore
was the former capital of Maharajas of Marwar and is
located about 5 miles north of Jodhpur, but was later abandoned
for the security of Mehrangarh fort. Here you will find the
dewals, or cenotaphs of Jodhpur's former rulers.
Unlike the usual chhatri-shaped cenotaphs typical of Rajasthan,
they were built along the lines of a Hindu temple, four stories
high, with fine columns and an elegant spire, all in red
sandstone. The most impressive is the dewal of Maharaja Ajit
Singh (reigned 1678-1724). These cenotaphs are set in
beautiful landscaped gardens. Nearby is the hall of heroes,
dedicated to various deities and fabled Rajput folk heroes,
whose statues are carved out of rock and painted in bright
colours. Next door is a larger hall called "The Shrine of the
Three Hundred Million Gods", filled with brightly coloured
images of the various Hindu Gods. As you climb up the hill, you
come to the ruined city of Mandore, with its old palace. The
beautiful Maharani's cenotaphs set apart on a rocky outcrop - a
ten-minute walk over the hill. Today its extensive gardens with
high rock terrace make it a popular local attraction.
Timings: 8 AM to 8 PM
Conducted tours running by RTDC twice a day for all four
places at the rate of Rs. 85/- per person |