This is the cremation ground of Bikaner Royal Family. There are a number of Cenotaphs or Chhatris and numerous less prominent memorials for princes and princesses. The oldest among all is the Chhatris is that of Rao Kalyan Malji built in the year AD 1539-1571 who was the fifth ruler of Bikaner.
Cenotaphs or Chhatris are generally elevated, dome-shaped pavilions used as an element in Indian architecture, or funerary sites in India which have such structures built over them. Chhatris are basic element of Hindu as well as Islamic architecture. The term "chhatri" means umbrella or canopy. 
The Chhatri of a male has a vertical memorial slab, whereas that of female has foot marks engraved on amarble slab. A memorial erected for a minor is called a Nada and it is a simple structure without a canopy. 
Chhatris play an important role in Rajput’s art. It is a very elegant structure built of marble and red stones.
The chhatri of Maharaja Surat Singh is the most imposing. It has the spectacular Rajput paintings on the ceilings (dome). The designs carved on each Chhatri represent the taste of the particular Maharaja, in whose honour it was built.
As a mark of respect to all the departed souls we are not supposed to go inside this place with the foot ware. But they are so thoughtful! They are providing a special foot ware made of cloth which is allowed inside. Otherwise in Rajasthan heat our feet might develop blisters! 
One thing which keeps bothering me when I visit such places - the entry fee collected from the tourists. For Indians it is INR 5 and for foreigners it is INR 10! In my view this should not be done! 
1 comment:
I had similar or may be worse experiences when I visited last in 1998, including an old man insisting to share my reserved seat and almost sitting on my lap! Gun trotting police guys stopping the bus for checking twice.
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