If you have your own transport, it is easy to get around in and around Jaipur. That’s how we ended up in the hills near the city.
Here we had chai and pakoras, while watching local kids playing with kites at the village square. But the main purpose of our trip was visiting the Gaitore Ki Chhatriyan tomb complex, and the Garh Ganesh Ji Temple next to it, up the hill.
Less famous than for instance the Wind, Water and City Palace of Jaipur, but the architecture, esthetics and serene surroundings of these royal tombs are just as impressive.
The tombs are part of the heritage of the Kachwaha. A Rajput clan that ruled the region, and was one of the most well-known royal families in Rajasthan. Because the complex is full of royal cenotaphs (empty tombs or funerary monuments) in different styles, the crematorium ground feels like a labyrinth of small palaces and towers. The structures mark the spots where the former leaders were cremated.
The name of the complex originates from the Hindi words Gaye Ka Thore, meaning ‘resting place of the departed’. And chhatri, which is the name of the umbrella-shaped dome, a common fixture in Indian memorials or cremation sites.
Both marble and sandstone were used as building material and our guide gave us more background information about the detailed and refined carvings of battlefield scenes and nature a.o.
At the entrance of the complex there’s a number of local guides who are happy to show you around the property, in exchange for a small fee.
(source: Atlasobscura.com)
Our next stop is the temple of Lord Ganesh. To reach this 18th-century temple, you have to climb up this big, fortress wall, since the temple is located at the top of the Aravali hills.
The initiative for building the temple came from Maharaja Jai Singh II, just before he founded Jaipur. He made the shrine and placed the Lord Ganesha statue, and apparently kept the foundation stone of the city.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to see the temple from the inside during our visit, but we do were part of an interesting photoshoot again (with one of the moms almost forgetting to take her kid back, after the selfie ;)).
Gaitore Ki Chhatriyan & Shri Garh Ganesh Ji Temple, Krishna Nagar, Brahampuri, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002, India
Breuhuys 
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