Cenotaphs of the Jaisalmer kings

Deceased Hindus are burned and, if they were wealthy enough, their ashes are brought to the holy Ganga and distributed in the water. However, rich people also can afford a cenotaph, a monument erected in honor of a dead person whose remains lie elsewhere. Boullee planed one for Isaac Newton as well.

At Bara Bagh are the cenotaphs of kings and queens of Jaisalmer of the 15-19th century. Next to the monument for the Maharawal are those of his wives, who usually threw themselves on the pyre because they did not have any future after his death.

Not far from the cenotaphs is a Jain temple which is beautifully carved.

Monks are celebrating a service in the temple. There is a smell of incense in the brisk morning air and the sound of bells and chants

The temple was separated from the royal gardens by a lake. Nowadays the lake is dry and it is a miracle on what all the black goats feed.