India Hotels and Tours

Explore Mandawa - a medieval market town in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, India.

Fortified by rich Marwari merchants in the early 18th century, Mandawa forms a part of a region that is known as "the open-air art gallery of Rajasthan."

The city was initially a desert hamlet that grew into a city with time.

History

The Mandawa Village was founded by Mandu Jat, who dug a well in the region around which developed a dhani or a desert hutment.

In the ancient days the region was known as 'Mandu ki dhani' or 'Manduvas'.There is also the Harlalka Baoli, the cemetry and Shiv Mandir which is conspicuous with its crystal linga

Tourist Attractions

As far as tourist attractions are concerned Mandawa in Rajasthan, India is known for its havelis with outer walls painted with vibrant and interesting frescoes.

Enjoy tours to the Castle Mandawa that was built in the 18th century by Nawal Singh. The massive painted archway that leads to the fort is adorned with colorful etchings of Lord Krishna herding his cows towards the marketplace.

Mandawa town is located 23 kms. East of Fathepur. Mandawa is a small town and is famous for the 18th century fort, which has now been converted into a luxury heritage hotel - "Mukundgarh Fort Heritage Hotel". Legends of Lord Krishna are rather artistically depicted on the parapets.

Other interesting places to visit in Mandawa are the ethnic Haveli of Jhun Jhunwala, the Kanoria Haveli and of course the Ganeriwala Haveli all of which are impressive and reflect the rich art and craftsmanship of Rajasthan.

The main bazaar at Mandawa is choc-a-bloc with shops and ideal for souvenir hunting. Mandawa's brass works and textile articles are very famous.

There is also a fort in the center of the town. Thakur Nawal Singh built this fort and in the western side of the fort is the Goenka Havi. Adjacent to Goenka Havi is the exquisitely designed Nandalal Murmuriya Haveli which is renowned for its sculptures.

The Thakurji Dedraj Tarmal, Ladiya Haveli, Neowatia, Laduram, Chokhani are all renowned for their colorul frescoes. .

From hordes of havelis that dot the Mandawa landscape, the most gorgeous haveli is the Gulab Bai Wadia Haveli which was built way back in 1870 in the Shekhawati style of architecture.

Mandawa is well connected by a network of roadways. There are two bus terminals in Mandawa and routine bus services are available that link Mandawa with Jaipur, Bikaner, Jhun Jhunu and Nawalgarh

Enjoy guided tours to the mansions of Mandawa, each with outer walls painted with colorful representations of animal figures, royal scenes, floral patterns etc. One haveli has interesting figures of a woman driving a car, a boy with a telephone in hand et al.

The frescoes on the outer wall of Hanuman Prasad Haveli are bound to pique your attention. One painting depicts Lord Indra on elephant back and another fresco shows Lord Shiva riding the sacred Nandi bull.

The other havelis that are worth visiting in the region are the Murmuria Haveli, Jhunjhunwala haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli, Lakshminarayan Ladia Haveli and the Binsidhar Newatia Haveli.

Tour Itineraries for Mandawa :

 

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