About Mandore
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 of 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 chhatries
(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
Chhatri 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.
Picture of Mandore
