Mandore [Rajasthan]

Mandore is situated 9-kms north of the city of Jodhpur, which was the capital of Marwar prior to the foundation of Jodhpur. Today, its extensive gardens with high rock terraces make it a popular local attraction. The gardens also contain the cenotaphs of Jodhpur rulers, including Maharaja Jaswant Singh and the largest and finest of all, the soaring temple-shaped memorial to Maharaja Ajit Singh.

Inhabited since the late Gupta period (5th-6th century AD), Mandnaya- Pura, the original capital of Marwar, once had a 10km wall and a population of 50,000. It was captured by the Rathores in 1381AD and effectively abandoned when the court was transferred to Jodhpur in 1459 AD. The ruins now stand in lush, shady gardens and are entered via the Ajit Pol, the gate that was built as a celebration of Ajit Singh’s victory over the Moghuls in 1707 AD.

Places Of interest (Mandore)

Palace Of Abhai Singh
The pleasure palace of Abhai Singh now encloses a small museum.

Mandore Gardens
The extensive gardens with high rock terraces make it a popular local attraction and a picnic spot of the city. The ruins of the original capital of Marwar, stand in lush, shady lanscaped gardens and are entered via the Ajit Pole, the gate that was built in celebration of Ajit Singh’s victory over the Moghals in 1707 AD.

Hall Of Heroes
It is a rock wall with high relief; brightly painted depictions of local heroes such as Pabuji and Chamunda (1707-49). 'Hall of Heroes' houses sixteen gigantic figures chiselled out of a single rock and the cenotaphs of the former maharajas of Jodhpur.

Shrine Of 30 Crore Gods
The crowded modern shrine houses 30 crore Hindu deities, among them Brahma, Lakshmi and Kali, being the most prominent ones.

Memorials Of Maharaja Jaswant Singh And Ajit Singh
Mandore remained the royal cremation ground and there are numerous memorial 'chhatris' and temples, both Hindu and Jain, the earliest of which (on the hill) date from the 8th century. The finest are the memorials of Maharaja Jaswant Singh (1638-78 AD) and Ajit Singh (1678-1731AD), the second of whom was cremated along with six queens and 58 concubines.

Travel Information (Mandore)

Air : The nearest airport is at Jodhpur, to which regular flights are available from Delhi , Mumbai, Udaipur and Jaipur.
Road : Mandore is well connected to the nearby cities by motorable roads. There is no direct rail connection to the city.