 |
|
Fifteen minutes away from Mehrangarh, the ruins of the ancient fortress of Mandore. Already over a thousand years old when Jodhpur was founded, Mandore was the Rathore capital of Marwar from 1395 to1459. As a city it goes back further in time, into the realms of myth and lore. Legend has it that Ravana, who defied Lord Rama himself, married a princess of Mandore, his favorite queen, Mandodri.
The Chattris or cenotaphs of the Queens in Mandore. Not by far as large and grand as the cenotaphs of the rulers they are profoundly moving. Indeed in their simple and quite dignity the seem to say, "Here in sprit lie Marwar's queens.Let not anyone forget they were the strenght of the Rathores." The chattris lie in near ruin but it is believed they must not be disturbed. They too must follow the natural cycle.
A temple really, it houses larger than life statues of Hindu gods and goddesses; as well as of famous Rathore martyrs like Pabuji who died in the defense of a herd of cows in the fourteenth century. Mandore also has a much revered shrine for the three hundred and thirty three million Hindu gods and goddesses.
The old capital was not entirely abandoned. Indeed, down to the nineteenth century Mandore is where the Rathore rulers returned to their final rest. The royal devals or cenotaphs in Mandore are intricately carved and of impressive proportions. Here, the largest and grandest, Maharaja Ajit Singh's deval. Raised in 1725 it is interesting to read here that eighty four ladies; queens, concubines, maids and even musicians committed Sati; immolated themselves on Ajit's pyre. The elaborate gardens around the devals now serve as a public park. |
