Devi Kund, Bikaner

From Bikaner (State: Rajasthan) at a distance of 8kms is the site royal cenotaphs of rulers of Bikaji dynasty known as Devi Kund. The royal crematorium has several exquisite cenotaphs.

Each of them are erected in memory of rulers of Bikaji dynasty and is situated on the exact place where they were cremated. These marble cenotaphs reflect the Rajputana style of architecture.

The cenotaph of Maharajah Surat Singh is very intricately designed. There are beautiful miniature frescoes on the ceiling of this inside the dome. The paintings even today appear very fresh.

Tour of Bikaner is incomplete without a visit to this place.

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Jaswant Thada, Jodhpur

Jodhpur (State: Rajasthan) has many historical monuments of interest. One of them is Jaswant Thada, located on the long road that takes one to the Mehrangarh Fort. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

This monument is built by Sardar Singh in 1899 in memory of Maharja Jaswanth Singh II. This ornamental cenotaph is entirely built using white marble. It is a traditional cremation ground of Jodhpur rulers.

The above image was taken from the fort. The monument in the empty hilly region is Jaswant Thada.

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Chhatris of Orchha

In Orchha (State: Madhya Pradesh) the cenotaphs (chhatris) of 16th century are located on the banks of Betwa river. They are basically tomb erected in honor of a person, whose remains are elsewhere. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

Here the Chhatris are elevated, dome-shaped pavilions. The architecture has elements of Hindu as well as Mughal architecture in them.

The royal chattris are memorials to Bundelkhand's former rulers. One can see series of rows of pale brown weed-choked domes and spires inside a compound on the banks of Betwa river.

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Orchha Cenotaphs

In Orchha (State: Madhya Pradesh) the cenotaphs (chhatris) of 16th century are located on the banks of Betwa river. They are basically tomb erected in honor of a person, whose remains are elsewhere. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

Here the Chhatris of Bundela dynasty kings are elevated, dome-shaped pavilions. But this unusual cenotaph different in design from rest of the royal cenotaphs caught my attention.

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