A Site of Royal Cenotaphs

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.