Bada Bagh complex in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Bada Bagh complex in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan (© Meinzahn/Getty Images)
Regal shadows
In the middle of the desert, there's a garden that's anything but ordinary—Bada Bagh, visible in the distance in today's image. It is about six kilometres north of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, and is home to an impressive collection of royal chhatri cenotaphs, built by the Maharajas of Jaisalmer State from the 18th to the early 20th centuries. Meticulously carved from yellow sandstone blocks, these cenotaphs showcase the elegance of Rajasthani architecture, combining elements of Hindu and Islamic styles. Embellished with exquisite paintings, sculptures and inscriptions, these were built in four distinct sizes, each reflecting the royal hierarchy.
© Meinzahn/Getty Images