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Cenotaphs of Gaitor Town at Jaipur
Just opposite the Man Sagar Lake, Gaitor lies in a narrow valleywith
its marble and sandstone chhattris (cenotaphs) of the rulers of
Jaipur.This was the site where the Kachhwaha royalty ended their
stay on earth. It has been the royal cremation ground of the kings
and princes of the ruling clan of Jaipur from Sawai Jai Singh II
onwards. It has cenotaphs of all the Jaipur rulers except Sawai
Ishwari Singh who was cremated outside the Jai Niwas garden. The
marble memorials mark the places where the Kachhwaha kings were
cremated and the smaller ones standing with them are those of the
princes who died young.
A Royal Cremation Site
After the capital was shifted to Jaipur Sawai Jai Singh
chose Gaitor as the cremation ground for the royal family. Then from
1733 onwards the final rites of every Kachhwaha king were conducted
here. These chhatris are open domed pavilions set on a raised
platform. Slender pillars hold up the roof and the platform has
smaller chhatris at its corners.
The Architectural Brilliance of Cenotaphs
Each chhatri or cenotaph has a different design and is
styled according to the majesty and power of the king during his
lifetime. The most beautiful one is that of Jai Singh II himself
with intricatecarvings and a graceful shape in marble, built by his
son Ishwari Singh. It is a white marble dome built on 20 carved
pillars that rise from a square platform lavishly engraved with
scenes from Hindu mythology. The Chhatri of Madho Singh I, second
son of Jai Singh II, is a pillared two storeyed structure with a
smaller pavilion on the roof. The Chhatri of Pratap Singh is also of
marble alongwith a dome and square pillars to give company. The
Chhatri of Madho SinghII is in white and pink stone. A lamp is lit
everyday at the cenotaph of Sawai Man Singhsince his death. Another
familiar spot here is that of the miniature shrine of the two sons
of Madho Singh II from his mistresses. The whole scene set between
the gardens presents a picture perfect shot.
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