Mandore Garden, on the outskirts of Jodhpur, feels like a strange mix of archaeological park, royal necropolis and local picnic spot. Red-sandstone chhatris (cenotaphs) of former Marwar rulers rise like miniature temples, with clustered pillars and shikhara-like spires. Scattered among them are ruins of the old fort, a small museum, a “Hall of Heroes” with colourful rock-cut figures of local deities and warriors, and a temple dedicated to the 33 crore Hindu gods. Langurs and peacocks roam freely, while families sit on the lawns, giving the place a relaxed, lived-in feel despite its deep history.
About this place
History & highlights
Long before Jodhpur existed, Mandore was the capital of the Marwar region; its history stretches back at least to around the 6th century CE. In the 15th century, Rao Jodha seized Mandore from rival forces and briefly ruled from there before founding Jodhpur and shifting his capital to the new fortified hill at Mehrangarh. Mandore then evolved into the royal cremation ground, where elaborate cenotaphs were built for the rulers up to Maharaja Takht Singh; later rulers were commemorated at Jaswant Thada instead. In recent years, the site has come under the care of the Mehrangarh Museum Trust through the “Adopt a Heritage” scheme, which is working on conservation of the cenotaphs and fort remains while Mandore continues to function as a local leisure and pilgrimage spot.
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