Jaswant Thada Jodhpur, Entry Timings of Jaswant Thada, Entry Fees (Ticket) of Jaswant Thada, History of Jaswant Thada, Architecture of Jaswant Thada, Interesting Facts about Jaswant Thada, Things to See at Jaswant Thada, How to Reach Jaswant Thada Jodhpur.
About Jaswant Thada
The Jaswant Thada is an architectural marvel with intricate carvings. Famed as one of the most beautiful white marble cenotaphs, it was built in 1899 by Maharaja Sardar Singh in commemoration of his father Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. This white marble wonder of Rajasthan is often called the Taj Mahal of Marwar. The splendid edifice is a perfect example of Rajputana style of architecture. Its impeccable design and architecture is symbolic of the fine craftsmanship of the bygone era.
The main memorial is built like a temple, with beautiful domes and finely carved sculptures. Visitors can see here beautiful portraits of the various rulers of Jodhpur. The complex also features a memorial of a peacock that flew into a funeral pyre. Magnificently carved gazebos, an exquisite multi-tiered garden and a small lake surround the cremation ground.
One of the popular landmarks and tourist attractions in Jodhpur, Jaswant Thada is a royal cenotaph that is positioned on the left side of the Mehrangarh Fort complex. A 19th century structure (built in 1899), it was erected in the memory of Jaswant Singh II, the 33rd Rathore ruler of Jodhpur. His son, Maharaja Sardar Singh commissioned this cenotaph for his father. There are 2 more tombs within this structure. Other attractions close to it are the royal crematorium and 3 other cenotaphs.
A proof of architectural genius in India, Jaswant Thada is a white-marble memorial that boasts of delicate and complex carvings, which showcase sheer brilliance. The stone’s surface is thin and looks illuminated when the sun’s rays fall on it. Jali work (lattice work) is the other highlight. The terrace in the front of the chattri offer some lovely views. Domes, pillars, sculptures and fresco look enchanting.
The main memorial that looks like a temple has huge images of other Maharajas and rulers of Jodhpur, starting from the 13th century. The serenity all around is truly worth-experiencing. This attraction is fondly referred as the ‘Taj Mahal of Marwar’. The monument is bounded by a tiered garden and beautifully carved gazebos.
Location: On the left side of the Mehrangarh fort complex
Best time to visit: – October to March
Timings: -09:00 am and 05:00
Architecture of the Memorial
It is a beautiful cenotaph built across the mighty Mehrangarh Fort, the foundations for whom were laid by Maharaja Sardar Singh in honour of his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, the 33rd Rathore ruler of Jodhpur. It now serves as the cremation ground for the Jodhpur royalties.
Sitting above a small lake, a kilometer to the northeast of Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada is an intricate, architectural marvel with enticing carvings. The milky white memorial is an array of arbitrary domes, the beauty of which equals the Taj Mahal, giving rise to the name ‘Taj Mahal of Marwar’.
The memorial is a prime example of Rajputana architecture, symbolic of the fine craftsmanship long forgotten, buried in the sands of time. It’s built out of finely carved sheets of marble, displaying the sheer genius of the sculptors. The well-polished and extremely thin marble emits a warm, fostering glow whenever its surface is subjected to the sun rays.
The ethereal cenotaph is one the finest in the world and displays a fantastically carved marble lattice screens. The main compound with the mausoleum is hung with several portraits of Rathore rulers and Maharajas, taking the visitors back in time to the thirteenth century.
History
Jaswant Thada is actually a memorial house built by Maharaja Sardar Singh in 1899 AD, in the memory of Jaswant Singh II, his father.
Along with this Jaswant Thada is also a cremation ground for other royal family members of Marwar, a quite similar concept to Royal Gaitor in Jaipur.
Interesting Facts
Jaswant Thada is named after Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, and it was built by his son Maharaja Sadar Singh in the year 1899.
Made of pure white marble that still retains all of its allure, Jaswant Thada also consists of some paintings of the previous rulers of Mewar.
Not only are the cenotaphs built of white marble, they are contrasted in red with the steps leading up to the monument, giving it a much vibrant appeal.
The shallow lake lining Jaswant Thada was used for performing rituals for the deceased, and it now has a few ducks swimming about.
Local musicians and folk singers sit on the steps of the monument to greet the visitors with some authentic Rajasthani melodies.
The memorials built inside the monument are beautifully decorated with some elaborate artwork and give a history of whom they are dedicated to.
Arches and pillars around the main marble monument at Jaswant Thada are adorned with some delicate carvings, the inside walls of which bear paintings and pictures of the deceased rulers.
While the entire building is made in traditional Rajasthani style, the domes are inspired from some of the most creative Mughal architecture, a testament of how the Rajput rulers blended Mughal patterns in their constructions.
Along with the shelters bordering the main monument amidst lush greenery and the contrasting colours under the sunlight, Jaswant Thada is quite a mesmerizing sight.
Things to See & Do
The first thing any visitor would be compelled to do is observe how the lakeside locationof Jaswant Thada makes it such a serene place.
Taking a walk along the vast enclosure will help a tourist admire the intricate carvingsand at the same time look into the history of the rulers of Mewar whose memorials are situated in the monument premises.
There are expansive lawns across the grounds of Jaswant Thada where visitors can lounge and bask in the pleasant atmosphere.
Along with the memorials, there is also a separate cremation ground of the royal families, where the remains of burnt wood can be seen upon visiting.
The squirrels and birds scattered around the grounds of the memorial create a rather calming surrounding, and should certainly be captured in pictures.
While visiting the famous Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur, Jaswant Thada deserves a visit as it is quite relaxing and is hardly very crowded.
Entry Fees
Indian visitors (adult/child)- Rs.15
Foreign visitors (adult/child)- Rs.30
Camera Fees
Still camera- Rs.25
Video camera- Rs.50
How to Reach
Jodhpur can be reached from any major city or town in India by air or rail. Jaswant Thada is on the way to Mehrangarh Fort, which is located in the heart of the city, so both the places are easily accessible.
Tourist buses and/or taxis are available from everywhere in the city area of Jodhpur which can be made use of to reach Jaswant Thada.
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