Bada Bagh lies on a low hill about 6 km north of Jaisalmer, where rows of golden chhatri cenotaphs rise above a sparse landscape and small green oasis below. Each cenotaph is a domed pavilion supported on pillars, some simpler, others richly decorated; together they form a hauntingly beautiful silhouette, especially at sunrise or sunset when the stone glows amber and long shadows fall between the domes. From the top you can see windmills turning on the horizon, mango orchards planted near the old tank, and the desert stretching beyond. The site feels part royal memorial ground, part sculpture park in the sand.
About this place
History & highlights
The story of Bada Bagh begins in the 16th century when ruler Maharawal Jait Singh II built a dam and water tank (Jait Bandh, Jait Sar) at this site to create an oasis in the desert. After his death, his son Lunkaran developed a garden here and built the first cenotaph in his memory on the hill overlooking the tank. Later Bhatti rulers of Jaisalmer continued the practice, constructing cenotaphs for themselves, their queens and princes from the 18th through early 20th centuries. The last chhatri, intended for Maharawal Jawahir Singh, remains unfinished, symbolising the break in royal tradition after Indian independence. Today, although some structures are weather-worn, Bada Bagh is promoted as a key heritage site, combining royal history, water engineering and striking desert views.
Reviews
No reviews yet. Click “Write a Review” above to share your experience.