Gaitor Monuments
¤ 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.
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