The Jaswant Thada is a cenotaph located on way to the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur built in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh of the Jodhpur State.
The Jaswant Thada has a very beautiful park architecture with a fountain and is very well maintained.
The Jaswant Thada is surrounded by a park from three sides and serves as the cremation ground for the Rawat royal family of Jodhpur.
The cenotaph is studded with intricately carved designs on marble and easily beats the overhyped Taj Mahal hands-down.
This is the side view of the entrance from the north direction.
The view of this entrance standing in front of it looks attractive and welcoming.
Inside the cenotaph are portraits of the Maharajas of Jodhpur.
Some semi-transparent marble blocks exhibit a warm glow when the sun shines bright and this illuminates the hall without the need for any artificial lighting.
The cenotaph’s grounds feature carved gazebos in a multi-tier garden.
The small lake attached to the Jaswant Thada is clean and cool and adds extra charm to its beauty. In the distant far, I could also see the majestic statue of Rao Jodha the founder of Jodhpur.
The white marble of the cenotaphs glitters in the bright sun and looks amazing with the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort in the backdrop.
This place has an entry charge of 50/- per head and spacious and accessible parking is another INR 30.
I also hired a local guide for an additional INR 100 who took me around the park having these beautiful views while listening to the engrossing stories of the valor of the royal Rajputs.
This is not a cenotaph but a cremation place for the members of the Royal family.
Another similar and symmetric cremation gazebo is on the other side of the main structure.
Skillful artists play melodious music outside the main gate. Note that these people are neither homeless nor beggars. They are performers and depend on voluntary donations for a living. I donated generously.
Listen to this artist playing the Rajasthani classic Padharo Mharo Des on a RavanHatha musical instrument at the end of which are a row of trinkets and also note how he gives a slight jerk at the end of each stroke to make the sound of the trinkets that fuses smoothly with the string instrument.
Accessibility Features
The monument has an accessible entrance with elaborate ramps for the main entrance and also the parking and the washroom/toilets for the differently-abled to explore the premises freely.
Here’s a snapshot:
Ramp Access.
A wheelchair-accessible Entrance.
A wheelchair-accessible Parking.
A wheelchair-accessible Restroom/Toilet.
