Jaswant Thada is a stunning white marble memorial built by Maharaja Sardar Singh in 1899 to honour his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, the 33rd ruler of the Rathore dynasty in Jodhpur. Popularly known as the “Taj Mahal of Marwar,” it has been modelled resembling the monument located in Agra. Jaswant Thada, as a structure, is not only a symbol of the history and tradition of Jodhpur but also stands as a class of ardent work and craftsmanship of the Marwar region. Meanwhile, Local talented artists did the details, such as carvings, making it a superb example of true art that cannot be duplicated.
History Of Jaswant Thada
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The memorial was built for the beloved ruler of Jodhpur, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.
Known for his bravery, generosity, and reforms, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II expanded the kingdom and built many forts, palaces, temples, and gardens throughout the city. He also supported the arts and culture by patronizing musicians, poets, and painters.
Wanting to pay tribute to his father’s legacy, Maharaja Sardar Singh chose a site near Mehrangarh Fort, the seat of power and pride of Jodhpur, to build Jaswant Thada. He appointed Ratnu and Laxhu, two native artisans, to build this huge structure out of pure Makrana white marble, the same as that of the Taj Mahal. They are also painted and photographed alongside other influential ruling families of Jodhpur and other fort ancestors.
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Architecture Of Jaswant Thada
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This place is a truly stunning piece of architecture that blends Hindu and Mughal design elements. It’s like a temple with a central dome and four smaller domes at each corner, and the Mughals heavily inspire the domes themselves. The main dome has a lotus motif on top, symbolising purity and divinity. The walls of Jaswant Thada are made from fragile and polished white marble. It’s so translucent that it almost glows when sunlight hits it, and there’s even lattice work on there that lets light and air flow through. This creates all these beautiful patterns and shadows on the walls and floors. The inside of Jaswant Thada is just as impressive as the outside. There’s a big hall where the marble cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II sits on a raised platform. The cenotaph is surrounded by marble pillars that support the dome above it, and the hall’s walls are covered in paintings and portraits of past Jodhpur rulers, showing off their achievements and personalities.
One of the most striking things about Jaswant Thada’s design is how it contrasts with the red steps leading up to it. The steps are made from red sandstone, which stands out against the monument’s white marble. Those steps also offer a great view over Jodhpur city and Mehrangarh Fort. Another exciting thing about Jaswant Thada is its appearance in the lake below. This is an artificial body of water that Maharaja Jaswant Singh II created for the sole purpose of supplying water to What’s city. The lake just blends in so perfectly with the peaceful surroundings of the place, and it is not a big surprise to see birds and animals chilling there too, thus enhancing the general natural feel of the whole area.
Timings, Entrance Fees And Best Time To Visit Jaswant Thada
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Jaswant Thada’s operating hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, with no changes due to holidays or special occasions.
The entrance fees for Jaswant Thada are as follows:
For Indian citizens, it is available at a price of Rs. 30 per head.
Foreigners are charged Rs. 50 per person if they want to enter the sanctuary.
Lastly, children below the age of 10 years enjoy free entry.
You may also receive a discount or concession depending on the legitimacy of your ID cards or tickets to any other interested locations in Jodhpur, such as Mehrangarh Fort or Umaid Bhawan Palace. But make sure that you produce them at the ticket counter.
The best time to visit is from mid-October to March, which marks the Winter season in the state. There is nothing like the beauty of Jodhpur during this part of the year. Usually, a pleasant temperature without heat and high humidity makes walking around the city great. You will also experience enhanced visibility, especially for the Jaswant Thada marvel. Everyone can agree that winter in Jodhpur is nothing short of wonderful.
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How To Reach Jaswant Thada And Location
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To get to Jodhpur from anywhere in India, you can fly or take the train. Jaswant Thada and another valuable Mehrangarh Fort which is situated right in the middle of the city is quite approachable. There are hired tourist buses and taxis that can be easily found in and around the city area of Jodhpur, which can take you to Jaswant Thada.
Location: Jaswant Thada, Lawaran, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342001
Travelling Tips to explore Jaswant Thada
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- If you are going to move around to several different places in the city, you should always wear comfortable shoes.
- If you are planning on travelling to Jodhpur during the day or during summer, ensure that you have a hat and sunglasses with you, as the temperatures are quite high.
- Before going to Jaswant Thada, you’ll notice that people remove their shoes before entering, and it is quite right since it is more like paying respects to those who are resting there.
- It’s a good idea to take a combined tour of Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada since they’re close.
- If you plan on spending a lot of time at both Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada, bring some bottled water with you to avoid dehydration.
- You can take cameras with you, but there’s a small fee.
- Having a tour guide along can be helpful in learning about the fascinating history of Maharaja Jaswant Singh and other rulers of Mewar whose memorials are at Jaswant Thada.
- On average, it takes about 30-45 minutes to see everything at Jaswant Thada.
Further Read: Monsoon In Jaisalmer
It is a must to visit Jaswant Thada when in Jodhpur as the place offers the best Rajasthan beauty and history. This phantom made of white marble is situated near the Mehrangarh Fort and is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the region’s traditions while enjoying the view. Spare some time and include Jaswant Thada in your trip to Rajasthan. You won’t regret it!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jaswant Thada
What has made jaswant thada so popular?
Jaswant Thada is famous for its beauty, architectural unemployed/ una-roused work, and carving art. These include the application of several domes, and beautifully laid garden as well as the inclusion of a lake. Those who are interested in seeing how the buildings were constructed in the traditional Rajasthani mode, must visit this place and it marks the nobility of the rulers of Rajasthan.
Is there any cultural events that take place at Jaswant Thada?
Cultural Programs are not held frequently at Jaswant Thada but once in a while, it presents few shows of the local cultural troupes which includes folk music & dances of Rajasthan. Guest might wish to see whether there are any event during their stay physically locally.
What other places are there places that one can visit near Jaswant Thada?
In close proximity to Jaswant Thada forte another popular attraction Mehrangarh Fort – one of the largest forts in India, and the magnificent Umaid Bhawan Palace, Kalyana Lake and garden as well as the Old Jodhpur with the houses of blue color and peculiar noisy bazaars.
What is inside Jaswant Thada?
The complex of Jaswant Thada includes photographs of the rulers of Jodhpur, the exquisite carving in marbles, and attractive lawns with circular outlooks called gazebos.
Is it possible to purchase some souvenirs at Jaswant Thada?
It is important to note that there can locally owned small stores and markets around where usually tourist stuff such as Souvenirs, crafts, local traditional wears amongst others can be bought.
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