Mandore Gardens of Jodhpur

 Mandore is a town located at a distance of 9 km north of the Jodhpur Railway Station. It is one of the most famous tourist spots in Jodhpur.

The moment you think about Jodhpur, the first visuals that hit you are of beautiful cenotaphs, fountains, lotuses in the lakes, curious monkeys, green gardens, and ancient temples.

The town of Mandore is an important landmark and holds both historical and religious significance for the country. Ruled by Pratiharas in past, the beautiful town of Mandore also has several mentions in Ramayana as the hometown of Rani Mandodari (the wife of Ravana). 

Things to see — Monuments:

Hire a cab in Jodhpur to visit Mandore and explore some beautiful monuments inside the location. The Mandore ruins consist of several monuments that standstill to date. These monuments are considered to be fine pieces of architecture, with thick walls and substantial sizes. The highlight of this fort is a huge temple with walls carved beautifully depicting pictures of planets, birds, and animals.

Another major attraction in the town includes the ‘Mandore Gardens’. This part of Mandore includes several temples and memorials and some charming high rock terraces. The Mandore Gardens house several Chhatris or Cenotaphs (dome-shaped structures) which are memorials for the past rulers of Jodhpur.

Another most popular attraction at Mandore is the Ravan Temple. This temple is believed to be the home of Mandodari, according to the holy text Ramayana.

There is also a museum, a ‘Hall of Heroes’, commemorating various popular folk heroes of the region, next to which is a large hall and a Hindu Temple devoted to all the 33 crore gods in the Hindu religion.

The place is also famous for the rich flora: the variety of exquisite trees and plants in the area. The gardens are also home to hundreds of monkeys and langurs, and several varieties of birds, including eagles, doves, pigeons, sparrows, cuckoos, etc. The gardens are also believed to be home to several peacocks which were later shifted to the city zoo for their protection. Some people have also spotted ducks and swans in the lake inside the gardens. Mandore monuments are considered great architectural heritage for the state.

Things to do:

Before you hire a taxi in Jodhpur to visit Mandore, make a list of all the things you can do here. The sight is widely known for being a spot where natives often visit to feed the monkeys. It is a famous picnic spot for families and tourists since it is open to the public. People also like to visit it in early mornings for Yoga and meditation in the surrounding of beautiful green trees.

The place is very clean and pleasant for spiritual activities. 

There is also a small amusement park called ‘Fun World’ on the premises which have several swings and rides, including a food court for snacking and beverages. You can enjoy the rides or have some snacks, it is more fun in the evening rather than during day-times, as it is a sunny area and is mostly covered in scorching heat during the day times.

Famous for various festivals taking place in Mandore, the most popular ones include:

• The Rao Festival — celebrated in honor of Rao Jodha, the founder of Jodhpur and Mandore.

• Hariyali Amavasya — on the new moon day before Holi, women, and monks assemble at the Mandore Gardens and the temple on the premises. They sing and dance to Ghoomar and chant Holy Mantras to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.

• Naag Panchami 

• Veerpuri Mela

• BhogiShell Parikrama 

• Rao Ki Gher — On the morning of Holi, people gather to celebrate Holi and carry on with a celebrative procession starting from Mandore to various nearby locations, dancing on drums and trumpets and playing with Holi colors.

Things to eat:

There is not much to eat inside the place, other than the food court inside the ‘Fun World’ which has a few varieties of lays, ice cream and cold drinks and other similar items. However, if you come out of the main gate of Mandore Gardens, you will be able to buy and eat from several nearby shops offering a variety of food items, sugarcane juice, soda lemon juice, and other things.

There is also a sweet shop near the main gate which is famous for selling ‘chutiya ki chakki’, which is basically a cake made by mixing together baked gram flour, jaggery, and milk in fixed ratios. People from around the city travel distances to buy this sweet in large quantities. Travelers coming here from nearby villages make sure they buy it for their families while returning. It is also a traditional ‘prasaad’ (food offered to God during prayers and later eaten as a part of ‘blessing’).

People who visit Mandore every once in a while, also mention that they are very fond of the soda lemon juice vendor right outside the main gate. It works like an energizing drink, a hydrating drink, a digest, and is also believed to maintain blood pressure levels during the summer season.

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