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History of Jaipur, Jaipur Architecture, Jaipur Tourist Places

Royal Gaitor Jaipur | A Fascinating Tourist Place?

Royal Gaitor is not one of the popular tourist places to visit in Jaipur among travelers; it’s one of the hidden places in Jaipur. I have never been able to completely comprehend the reasons for apathy among travelers for Gaitore. You can find my thoughts as to why it doesn’t figure in the Jaipur sightseeing map at the end of this blog. Locals call this place Gaitor Ki Chhatriyan.

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Interestingly, a few western travelers have mentioned visiting Gaitor during their travel in the 18th and 19th centuries. One such travel account can be found in “Handbook of the Punjab, western Rajputana, Kashmir, and upper Sindh”, John Murray published in London, in 1883 AD. This book was authored by Edward B. Eastwick and intended to be a travel guide for western travelers (especially British). In a way, it is one of the early travel guides in India, especially in Jaipur.

“The next visit will be to the chhatris or cenotaphs of the Maharajas at Gethur. This on N.E. of the city wall. The traveler will drive to near the wall of the old city Brahmpur, and then ride on an elephant to the gate of Gethur, but then he will have to dismount and walk about 100 yds. The Chhatris are in well-planted gardens, the trees of which are full of solemn-looking grey-headed monkeys, and tigers are sometimes seen on the hill above. This is not far off a paved road that leads to Nahargarh….”

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Source: Internet.

A Detailed Guide on Gaitore in Jaipur

Early Jaipur travelogues mentioning Royal Gaitor as a place to visit in Jaipur is not surprising. Royal Gaitor is one of the most magnificent specimens of Jaipur architecture. I have been to Gaitor on a previous occasion, three years ago. You can find it in this blog Royal Gaitor | The Rajput Architectural Opulence!

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The ownership of Gaitor rests with the descendants of the princely family since these are Chhatris or tombs of erstwhile rulers. This place includes three sections with the oldest section being farthest from the entrance. It houses the tombs of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the first king of Jaipur till Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II. Succeeding rulers built commemorative Chhatris.

What is Chhatri?

Chhatris are semi-open canopies. Read the in-depth post – Chhatris| Jaipur  architecture style

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Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II

The Chhatri of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II is the most beautiful and ornamental having exquisite carvings and workmanship on white Makrana marble. Makrana marble is considered to be one of the best white marble around. It includes no grains and is ideal for carvings. Sawai Ishwari Singh, the succeeding ruler built this tomb.

This Chhatri has 20 pillars, and the central dome is supported by an octagon; the flower remains a dominant theme in this Chhatri as evident from the carvings. The bracket supporting the roof is carved in the shape of an elephant trunk and features a lotus flower at the bottom. The pillars have lotus petals at both ends -the pedestal and ceiling.

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Apsara can be seen inside each of the domes on pillars. There are exquisite carvings inside the cornice from Hindu mythology featuring Rama, Krishna, Sheshnag, Samudra Manthan, and so on.

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The plinth or stylobate depicts elephants and horses with warriors, possibly a war scene. The reason for featuring them in this Chhatri speaks a lot about Maharajah Sawai Jai Singh II’s life. He was a Mansabdaar in the Mughal court and fought many wars and governed the state of Malwa for 13 years. Historians consider him for being a far-sighted, clever, and daunting ruler.

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Maharaja Ram Singh II’s

Maharaja Ram Singh II’s Chhatri is placed behind Maharajah Sawai Jai Singh II’s chhatri. Both Chhatris are identical. This is something unique; all other structures are unrepeated as far as design elements are considered. Among the Jaipur rulers from the 18th and 19th centuries, three of them were remarkable.

Maharajah Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur requires no introduction. Maharajah Ram Singh II’s rule is synonymous with Ram Rajya. He was a competent administrator, and reformer, and provided an impetus for the advancement of the state and its people. Maharajah Sawai Pratap Singh is fondly remembered for his contribution to architecture, art, and religion. He commissioned the construction of the Hawa Mahal, which is synonymous with Jaipur.

Maharajah Ram Singh II’s ascend to power restored the glory days of Maharajah Sawai Jai Singh II’s rule. It goes without saying, this is just a theory that many believe in.

Another important Chhatri in this section is Sawai Madho Singh I. It is elementary in design. Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh commissioned this Chhatri.

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What seems to be the reasons? Presumably, it indicates the financial status of the state. There were many wars with Marathas during the reign of Maharajah Sawai Pratap Singh. Many historians concur Marathas were mercenaries and constant payments in lieu of peace depleted the treasure of the Jaipur kingdom. Despite the simplicity, there are decorative carvings and intricate design elements in this Chhatri.

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There are two smaller Chhatris placed in this compound. One is Sawai Prithvi Singh II and Sawai Jagat Singh II. It is assumed small Chhatris indicate their brief tenures.

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Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh

The last Chhatri that needs a mention is that of Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. It is placed on the left side of the entrance having a backdrop of Nahargarh Fort and hills. This structure too is akin to the one of Sawai Madho Singh I. The primary theme in the detailing represents his love for Krishna.

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Upon exiting this complex and moving to the middle section one discovers a Shiva temple, a large ficus tree, and a flat Pavillion. This is the smallest of all three sections and contains just one structure.

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Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II

Placed here are a couple of small Chhatris dedicated to the numerous sons of Sawai Madho Singh II; it’s a peculiar case since it doesn’t commemorate any king. Many Jaipur rulers adopted sons like Maharajah Sawai Ram Singh II, Sawai Madho Singh II, and Sawai Man Singh II. Not producing an heir raised the question of potency or manhood among the public. It was a norm for Jaipur kings to have multiple wives, mistresses, and concubines; Sawai Madho Singh II was known to have the largest harem. Regrettably, he did not produce any son to succeed him, despite many children from concubines and mistresses. This Chhatri quelled the questions of his potency.

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From the midsection, one needs to retrace to the third part of the Royal Gaitor which has three tombstones. Two of these belong to the last two rulers Sawai Madho Singh II and  Sawai Man Singh II. The last one belongs to the son of Sawai Man Singh II – Brig. Bhawani Singh.

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Sawai Madho Singh II’s tomb is the largest of all structures in Gaitore; it’s constructed from sandstone, unlike others that use marble. It has exquisite carvings and a strong European flavor. He was the first Jaipur ruler to travel to England in 1902 to attend the coronation ceremony of King Edward VII. He traveled with a massive gathering which included many support staff in a specially booked steamer, SS Olympia. Among the things he carried were an idol of Krishna and 8,000 liters of Ganga Jal (water of the river Ganga) in silver urns. These silver urns are on display in Jaipur City Palace.

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Sawai Man Singh II built his Chhatris. It is a coincidence that both Sawai Madho Singh II and Man Singh II were adopted and were from Isarda near Jaipur. Some historians concur it is likely this connection led to the building of such grand tombs. This is a controversial theory that others might not accept.

Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II

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The other two Chhatris belonging to Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II and Sawai Bhawani Singh are simpler and smaller in size. However, the plinth section incorporates a few more meticulous details about their personas, like the love for polo or the initials.

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Why is Gaitor one of the offbeat tourist attractions of Jaipur?

Descendants of the erstwhile Jaipur rulers never promoted Gaitore among travelers and tourists. While the maintenance is not unacceptable but it is not managed at par with some of their other tourist attractions like Jaipur City Palace or Jaigarh Fort.

This place has no guides or audio guides for tourists. Many times, the tuk-tuk drivers double up as a guide. Even the tombs are unmarked. It is not uncommon to find street dogs lazing around in the compound.

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A tuk-tuk driver doubling up as a guide

One of the reasons Gaitor doesn’t receive too many tourists is that it is far away from the main tourist areas of Jaipur. It seems people connected with Jaipur tourism are not keen to promote Gaitore.  Amer Fort/ Nahargarh Fort and Jaipur City Palace complex are the two most visited tourist areas. Reaching Gaitor from either is not easy, one needs to traverse through congested roads of Brahampuri. It needs to be mentioned, the Gaitor cenotaphs are one of the historical places in Jaipur full of history and beautiful architecture.

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Expansive view of Jaipur depicting the area near Royal Gaitore as seen from Garh Ganesh Temple

I’m unsure if this is a blessing in disguise.

Royal Gaitore Location

Gaitore is located at the farthest end of Brahampuri in Jaipur with Garh Ganesh Temple on the east and Nahargarh Fort on the west.

Royal Gaitore Timing

Gaitore is open from 10 AM to 5 PM. I prefer a visit in the morning because it provides a good amount of sunlight conducive for studying the carvings and detailing on the stone surface. Some people advocate the evening as well.

Royal Gaitore Entrance Free

The Gaitore entry fee is Rs 30 per person. It is also part of the composite ticket being sold by Jaipur City Palace costing Rs 300 per person for Indians and includes entry to Jaipur City Palace, Jaigarh Fort, Gaitore, and Maharani Ki Chhatriyan on Amer Road.

Things to see at Royal Gaitore

There are beautiful tombs/ mausoleums of erstwhile Jaipur rulers in Gaitor. Many travelers visit this place for clicking pictures for Instagram, so in a way, this is one of the Instagram-worthy places in Jaipur. On the other hand, many travelers love to sit here and soak in the tranquil atmosphere of Gaitore. If you love art, architecture, and history Gaitore is worth visiting. A few female travelers I met confessed they enjoy the serene and peaceful atmosphere as a welcome break from all the cacophony on the streets of Jaipur.

You can also visit Garh Ganesh Temple along with Royal Gaitore

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69 thoughts on “Royal Gaitor Jaipur | A Fascinating Tourist Place?”

  1. You seem to speak like a local. How long have you been spending time in Jaipur? Your pictures are lovely, and we are hoping to plan a trip to India, but really not sure of the best places to visit. We will look up Jaipur as a stop on the list.

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    1. Hi! yes, you are right. It’s been a long time. I definitely feel you should visit Jaipur, it is one of the most visited cities in India. Jaipur is rated in top ten destinations by Tripadvisor. Where are you based?

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  2. I found it absolutely astounding that such a beautiful place is being neglected by the tourist industry. I am sure that your outstanding post will serve to make Royal Gaitor popular among the visitors of Jaipur. Well done, Arv!

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    1. At the moment it is an offbeat tourist attraction. I’m not sure if this is a blessing in disguise. Tourism brings it’s own problems. At least it’s a peaceful place.
      Well, the kings can rest in peace. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I suppose it’s getting colder out there? Autumn is around the corner?

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    1. There were a couple of people when I visited but certainly it wasn’t like more popular places. Have you been to Jaipur? Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 🙂

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      2. Happy to hear this. Most travelers love Rajasthan for one reason or another. Some say it’s like an exotic place while others feel it is like a fairy tale….
        I’ll head over your blog to read the stories. What’s your impression and take away about Jaipur?

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      3. Jaipur was our last stop in Rajathan so we thought we had seen it all. But we loved the architecture including the amazing long walls on the mountain tops and if course the gorgeously painted doorways and arches. I had low expectations for Hawa Mahal since I’ve seen so many pictures, but it blew me away. We had a great stay in an old mansion-hotel which felt very exotic and opulent. The other thing we liked at that point in our trip was to find good coffee shops!

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      4. Many travelers have mentioned witnessing Hawa Mahal was akin to Aladdin’s story. Did you visit the section behind the famous facade?
        So which was your favorite coffee shop in Jaipur?

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      5. Ha ha I haven’t seen Alladin! We didn’t go behind, it just didn’t look worth the entry fee, but maybe we should have. Our favourite coffee shop was Nibs.
        There’s one a short walk from our hotel. We also loved the food there. The pasta was the best we had in our whole 20 month trip!

        Liked by 1 person

      8. I’m happy to hear that this blog helped you plan your trip. It will be great to have your inputs if something more can be added to make it more useful, any input will be appreciated. 🙂

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    1. Absolutely, Cornelia. I feel this is a blessing in disguise. I hope you get to visit Jaipur again and explore this place. I’m sure a photographer like you will find many new angles to frame this place. 🙂

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  9. Beautiful post, as always Arv. I just wonder whether local authority took any concern to promote this beautiful historical site. That would be great if they did or just started to do. I mean, this place could be functioned more than a resort place for dogs lazing around.

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    1. Nurul, this is a privately owned property – the descendants of the erstwhile rulers. I’m sure this place can be made better but too many tourists will spoil the soul of Gaitore.

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  10. It’s difficult to comprehend that a place like this remains obscure to tourists. It’s both good and bad actually. And, I needn’t elaborate on this as you’d know what I mean. However, in this particular case I think it’s more bad than good. It should also feature as a must visit place and I am sure tourists wouldn’t mind taking a little bit of detour to go visit another place.

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    1. I’m torn between both views. In the hindsight, not getting many tourists allows retaining the soul of this place. Gaitore is more popular among western travelers. I witnessed many of spending quality time here, sitting, soaking the views. Well, it is a resting place of the royals, let’s allow them to rest in peace. What do you think?

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      1. A quiet and secluded place is always preferable especially in a crowded city like Jaipur, which gets a major share of tourists from the country as well as outside.

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  13. I can guess why Gaitore is an unpopular place. First, there are so many other places of interest and most of the time goes away in visiting them. Second could be that it is a resting place. I visited one such place at Jodhpur but didn’t like it much. Good just for photography!

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    1. I agree there are far too many places to see in a two day visit to Jaipur. While it is true that these are resting places but there are interesting elements that some travelers will appreciate. Of late, this has become popular on Instagram.

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  15. Pingback: An Insider’s Guide To 5 Must Visit Places In Jaipur In One Day – JaipurThruMyLens

  17. it’s sad that this place doesn’t get much tourism because it’s beautiful. And the way you describe is details… You could become an architect becuae your writing is rich in architectural jargon! Ever thought of an alternate career? I 😉

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  19. Pingback: Chhatris | Jaipur Architecture Style – JaipurThruMyLens

  20. A beautiful compilation of such wonderful architectures within this green compound. This is a detailed description of the place and it seems to be a peaceful place to visit now with few tourists visiting here. I would rather be thankful for this place being not so touristy yet.

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