Howdy all and welcome to another Tuesday post. Today I’m taking you to the incredible, beautiful and unexpected Mandore Gardens, in Mandore, India. It’s a short ride or drive from Jodhpur, my favourite Rajasthan city and a brilliant destination for all who choose it – in my opinion that is!
When I was there in 2018 I was looking for things to do on the interweb, and I found the recommendation of the Mandore Gardens, some 9 kilometres from Jodhpur city. I’m quite a visual person when it comes to choosing somewhere to go, and if I see a picture or two that really ‘wows’ me, I’m in.
The photos showed these verdant green gardens with temples in amongst them, and frankly, I didn’t believe my own eyes. Rajasthan to me was one of the driest places on Earth, and it simply didn’t look like what I saw. So I knew I had to go there myself and see if it was for real!
Water feature in front of temple 
Social Gathering 
Two magnificent temples opposite each other 
Families entering the gardens as a dog poses for me 
A Cow relaxes in the Mandore Gardens
I took an auto-rickshaw and I was away! It didn’t really feel like I ever left Jodhpur to be honest, but within 20 minutes I was at the gates of the Mandore Gardens, and I entered. The path led up through amazing greenery. Sure, it could have been kept cleaner, but still the beauty shone through, and there was something a little mystical about this place.
It wasn’t just a holy site though, it was a social place where family spent time together. Groups of friends gathered, it was a regular hangout for many.
Two magnificent temples opposite each other 
Temples either side of the path 
Temple in portrait 
Temple behind the trees 
Temple behind smaller cenotaph 
Panoramic view from inside a temple 
One of the biggest and most impressive of the temples 
More cenotaphs 
Hows that for framework 
Magnificent temple
And the temples! My goodness me, there were just so many of them, many cenotaphs – or tombs – or mausoleums. Dating back to the 15th century and actually in very very good condition. Sadly there isn’t a LOT of information about each of the temples online. I found a little information, but found it too tricky to match to the individual temples.
Steps into a temple 
Crow watching on, at least I think its a crow 
Bas reliefs 
Bas reliefs just below the ceiling 
Amazing domed ceiling design 
Another amazing ceiling
Inside the temples too were some amazing bas reliefs along with awesome domed ceilings.
More of Mandore’s gardens and temples 
Hall of Heroes and Divinities 
Temple behind the trees More cenotaphs 
Royal Cenotaphs 
Ek Thamba Mahal 
Because I haven’t included enough shots of temples yet
I was the only foreigner at the gardens at the time. Although I could hear the horns and other sounds of India buzzing about outside, but somehow they were subdued from the park. My only issue was with the monkeys, not that they bothered me. There were a number there, and I’m sorry but they are not my favourite animal and I generally like to give them a wide berth!
Andy's World Journeys 
Great photos! I like that one with the cow relaxing on the lawn.
thanks!
The temples are stunning! Your posts are inspiring me to go to India some day, whenever the pandemic is over!
thanks! It was a special place!
Amazing architecture indeed. You made the right choice by going to such a nice place. It is good to know that your visual thinking is taking you to some amazing places! Nice pictures Andy.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
You’re welcome
With so many deities, I guess that was their main occupation, building temples.
Nice photos, hope to get there one day!!
perhaps it was! Thanks for popping by!
Wow, the temples look amazing! I bet they’re more breathtaking in person.
Its all an amazing setting! thanks for popping by!
Haha so are you scared of monkeys Andy? Seriously now, I think its awesome that they’ve preserved their temples for so long. Awesome!
eeek yeah no monkeys, i wouldnt say scared, but i just dont like them! thanks for readiing!
You’re welcome