Mandawa

The Beautiful Town Of Mandawa In The Heart Of The Shekhawati Region Of Rajasthan Is Known For Its Painted Mansions. Its Beautiful Palace And Forts Are Sure To Take You To A Bygone Area. Mandawa is the main city in the Shekhawati region reputed around the world for its unique mansions with frescoes. Mandawa was a major trading town on the ancient caravan routes that stopped here from China and the Middle East. Thakur Nawal Singh, the Rajput ruler of Mandawa, had the fort built in 1755 to protect this outpost.

The medieval Mandawa Fort dominates the town with its painted arched gateway. This Fort is now a beautiful and luxurious heritage hotel.

If you are a tourist visiting Mandawa, there is so much to explore. Battlements here offer spectacular views of the town below while its verdant gardens are visited by peacocks aplenty. In the zenana or women's quarters, one can see antique murals, marble fountains etc.

The Havelis are an amazing sight with their mirror work walls, painted ceilings and ornate carvings. Some of the splendid havelis (mansions) in this region include the Chokhani, Ladia and Saraf havelis. The Binsidhar Newatia Haveli has interesting paintings on its walls. Some of the paintings depict a boy using a telephone, and a European woman in a car driven by a chauffeur which is very innovative since the craftsmen executing these paintings have never gone beyond their village.

Quick Getaways

Lying around 190 kms from Jaipur, Mandawa is well connected with other places in Rajasthan through a good network of roads. Once you have gone around Mandawa, you can go for some quick getaways. Nawalgarh, 37 km south of Mandawa is famous for its fort. Nawalgarh is also known for its havelis of Anandi Lal Poddar, Aath Haveli, Hem Raj Kulwal Haveli and Khedwal Bhavan.

Parsurampura is some 43 km south east of Mandawa and is famous for having the best-preserved and oldest paintings in the Shekhawati region. Another destination known for its fort and havelis is Mukundgarh, 25 km southeast of Mandawa.

Dundlod lying around 30 kms from Mandawa is also a hot destination for its forts and havelis. The better known ones are Jagathia Haveli and the Tuganram Goenka Haveli.

Fatehpur is another quick getaway. Though it was established in 1451 as a capital for the Muslim Nawabs, it was taken over by the Shekhawat Rajputs in the 18th century. The prominent attractions here include the Mahavir Prasad Goenka Haveli, Gauri Shankar Haveli, Nand Lal Devra Haveli and Harikrishnan Das Sarogi Haveli.