Mandore is a magnificent historic town near
Jodhpur. This former capital of the
Marwar Maharajas was gifted to the Rathores in the 6th century as part of a marriage alliance. The town, accessible through a narrow pass between lofty cliffs, is lush with landscaped gardens and the sprawling greenery of peepal, banyan, bottle-brush, pomegranate, and palms, which come alive with peacocks and monkeys.
This medieval city holds many monuments including six cenotaphs of the Rathores and the soaring temple-shaped memorial of Maharaja Ajit Singh, all set against the
Mandore Garden. Other attractions comprise the shrine of 330 million gods and goddesses and the hall of heroes housing 16 gigantic figures chiseled out of a single rock.
Mandore, about 5 miles north of Jodhpur, is well-connected by road and rail. Jodhpur is the nearest airport.