Jaswant Thada Mausoleum

The Jaswant Thada is a cenotaph located in Jodhpur, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was built by Maharaja Sardar Singh of Jodhpur State in 1899 in memory of his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II,and serves as the cremation ground for the royal family of Marwar.

The mausoleum is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These sheets are extremely thin and polished so that they emit a warm glow when illuminated by the sun

The cenotaph's grounds feature carved gazebos, a tiered garden, and a small lake. There are three other cenotaphs in the grounds. The cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh displays portraits of the rulers and Maharajas of Jodhpur.

A magnificent example of Indian architectural expertise, the Jaswant Thada is a white marble mausoleum (made of very thin sheets) built in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singhji II of Jodhpur. It was built by his son Maharaja Sardar Singhji in 1899 and was completed in 1906. It is often called as the “Taj Mahal of Marwar”.

The thin marble sheets have been so that when the sun’s rays fall on the stone, it appears to shine and glow. The marble ‘jali’ work done here is really awe-inspiring. The last rites of the rulers of Jodhpur were formerly performed at Mandore, 9 km north of Jodhpur, which was the old capital of Marwar; but after the completion of the Jaswant Thada in AD 1906, they have been performed here.

This monument is more of a temple where deceased rulers are worshipped, as worshipping of ancestors is common to the Rajput clans. Entry fee to the mausoleum is Rs. 15, which goes to the Mehrangarh Museum Trust for the care and maintenance of this monument. To the west of this complex is a water body known as Dev-Kund, where ritual bathing still takes place by the royal family after the cremation of any ruler. To the east are the cenotaphs of various Rajput rulers like Maharaja Umaid Singhji, Maharaja Hanwant Singhji, etc.

Famous Jaswant Thada in Jodhpur, India is an example of architectural brilliance in India. It is a white marble memorial, built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. The carving shows the genius of the sculptors. These stones are extremely thin and polished. As a result, the outside surface of the monument emits a warm glow when the sunrays fall on its surface. There is also beautiful marble jali work on the cenotaph. You can have some nice views from the terrace in front of the cenotaph.

History

Jaswant Thada was built by Sardar Singh in 1899 in memory of Maharajah Jaswant Singh II. An architectural landmark, it is a white marble memorial. This 19th century royal cenotaph built in commemoration of Maharajah Jaswant Singh II, the 33rd Rathore ruler of Jodhpur, is made out of intricately carved sheets of marble.

When the sun's rays fall across their surface, these thin and polished stones emit a warm glow. Carved gazebos, a beautiful multi-tiered garden, and a small lake are also located within this cenotaph. Royal crematorium and three other cenotaphs are also located at this site. On the cenotaph, there is a marble jali work.

From the terrace in front of the cenotaph, tourists can get an aerial view of the destination. Portraits of the rulers and Maharajahs of Jodhpur are displayed on the cenotaph of Maharajah Jaswant Singh. Built like a temple, the Thada can be reached by passing through a rocky hill.

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.