A chhatri (from the Hindi word for umbrella) is a domed pavilion raised on pillars. In Rajasthan, chhatris are built as memorials over the place where someone was cremated. They mark a death but hold no remains, which is why they're called cenotaphs.

Who is commemorated at Vyas Chhatri?

Members of Jaisalmer's Brahmin community. The site is named after the sage Veda Vyasa, to whom it is traditionally dedicated. The cenotaphs of Jaisalmer's royal family are at Bada Bagh, north of town.

Is it worth going if I've already seen Bada Bagh?

Yes, if you're spending more than a day in Jaisalmer. The two look alike but feel quite different. Bada Bagh is grander and stands on its own outside town. Vyas Chhatri is smaller, sits right at the edge of town and looks back towards the fort. Plenty of visitors see Bada Bagh in the morning and come here for sunset.

Can I add Vyas Chhatri to a private tour of Jaisalmer?

Yes. It fits easily at the end of a sightseeing day. Mention it when you build your trip, and your guide will plan the day so you arrive in time for sunset.

Cenotaphs

Vyas Chhatri

Sunset Point, JaisalmerBrahmin cenotaph complex

A graceful group of sandstone cenotaphs associated with the Brahmin community, famous for their delicate forms and sunset views.

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About Vyas Chhatri

Vyas Chhatri is a memorial ground on a low rise at the north-western edge of Jaisalmer. It is filled with chhatris: small domed pavilions on carved pillars, built from the same honey-coloured sandstone as the fort. They aren't tombs. Each one marks the place where a member of the town's Brahmin community was cremated. Some are simple and some more elaborate, and they stand close together on platforms at different heights.

Tradition dedicates the site to Veda Vyasa, the sage credited with composing the Mahabharata, and that is where its name comes from.

Most visitors come in the last hour of daylight, which is why the area is known as Sunset Point. From the higher platforms you look back over the rooftops to Jaisalmer Fort as its walls deepen from yellow to gold, while the domes in front of you turn into silhouettes against the western sky. The site is small and close to town, so it's easy to fit in at the end of a day spent in the fort and havelis.

If you only have time for one cenotaph site, the choice is between this and Bada Bagh. Bada Bagh, about 6 km north of town, holds the larger memorials of Jaisalmer's rulers. Vyas Chhatri is smaller, less formal and much closer, which often makes it the easier choice for sunset.

Vyas Chhatri At A Glance

Location: Sunset Point, Jaisalmer
Type: Cenotaphs
Heritage Status: Brahmin cenotaph complex
Entry: Arranged by your guide on the day

Tips For Your Visit

When to go: Arrive 45 minutes to an hour before sunset to find a place on the higher ground. Between October and March the sun sets between about 6 and 7 pm. Summer afternoons are fiercely hot, and there's very little shade.
How long to stay: Thirty to forty-five minutes is enough to walk around the platforms and stay until the sun goes down.
Getting in: Your driver can drop you close to the entrance, and your guide takes care of any entry ticket on the day. Wear shoes with some grip, because the stone between the platforms is uneven.
Visit with respect: This is still a memorial ground. Walk around the chhatris rather than climbing on them, and keep your voice down if a local family is there.

Good To Know

Visiting Vyas Chhatri

What is a chhatri?: A chhatri (from the Hindi word for umbrella) is a domed pavilion raised on pillars. In Rajasthan, chhatris are built as memorials over the place where someone was cremated. They mark a death but hold no remains, which is why they're called cenotaphs.
Who is commemorated at Vyas Chhatri?: Members of Jaisalmer's Brahmin community. The site is named after the sage Veda Vyasa, to whom it is traditionally dedicated. The cenotaphs of Jaisalmer's royal family are at Bada Bagh, north of town.
Is it worth going if I've already seen Bada Bagh?: Yes, if you're spending more than a day in Jaisalmer. The two look alike but feel quite different. Bada Bagh is grander and stands on its own outside town. Vyas Chhatri is smaller, sits right at the edge of town and looks back towards the fort. Plenty of visitors see Bada Bagh in the morning and come here for sunset.
Can I add Vyas Chhatri to a private tour of Jaisalmer?: Yes. It fits easily at the end of a sightseeing day. Mention it when you build your trip, and your guide will plan the day so you arrive in time for sunset.

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