MandawaTravel

Mandawa is situated in the north Indian state of Rajasthan around 190 km off Jaipur, the capital of the state. The town lies between latitude 28.06° in the north and longitude 75.20° in the east. The fort town of Mandawa is well connected with the other places in region through a good network of roads.

Mandawa was settled and fortified in 18th century by the dominant merchant families of the region. The wealthy businessmen of the village constructed many havelis and baolis with colored painting adorning their walls. Later on, with the migration of these merchant families, their old settlements remained in total obscurity with no one to look after them. Despite the time lapse and ignorance about these visual and architectural extravaganzas, their attraction did not fade and today they are some of the major attractions for the tourists visiting Rajasthan.

Mandawa - History In Brief

The little town of Mandawa was founded in the 18th century, by the affluent merchants, who built a lot of havelis and mansions in this area. Later on, many of these families moved out, which is why the colorful havelis remained neglected for a long time, till it was realized that these very mansions could become major tourist attractions.

Climate
Like most of the other places in north India, Mandawa too has an extreme climate. The summers can be very hot with the mercury touching 40.5°C, whereas winters can be chilly and the temperature can fall below 10°C. The best season to visit this place is winter i.e. October to March. The annual rainfall is between 45 to 60 cm. Recommended clothing is light tropical for summer and light woolen for winter.

Mandawa provides the visitors with a sense of discovery at every turn; battlements that offer spectacular views of the town below, a whimsical peacock weather van, and an arched window that overlooks the verdant garden visited by peacocks. Most importantly, the fact that no two rooms are alike in the palace here. In the zenana or women's quarters, one room offers antique murals, another has a marble fountain, and the turret room boasts of walls that are seven feet thick. Looking out from the window of the turret room, it is easy to imagine the marauding bandits that once roamed freely here. Little wonder then that the family crest contains the motto, 'Veer Bhogya Vasundhara', which translates into 'the brave shall inherit the earth'

Shopping
The busy little market of Mandawa has many antique shops that sell local handicrafts and antiques. Before purchasing anything from these shops, it is better to confirm that it has not been taken out from the havelis of the region. Export of antiques older than 100 years is illegal and should not be done, for the sake of saving the heritage of this region.

Mandawa - Excursions

About 37 kms south of Mandawa is Nawalgarh, which is famous for a fort built in 1737. At Nawalgarh you can also take a tour of many havelis, like Anandi Lal Poddar, Bhagton Ki Haveli, Aath Haveli and Hem Raj Kulwal Haveli. You can also take a tour to Parsurampura, which is 43 kms southeast of Mandawa and here you can see the oldest paintings in Shekhawati region. About 25kms southeast of Mandawa, is a small village of Mukundgarh, known for its havelis and forts. If you are for a few days in Mandawa, then you can also travel to Dundlod, which is 30 kms southeast of Mandawa. The major attractions of this place are, the Jagathia Haveli, Satyanarayan Temple, and the Dundlod Fort and Palace. You can travel to Jhunjhunu, which is the district headquarter and the largest town in Shekhawati region. The major attractions of this place are the Khetri Mahal, Bihariji Temple and Kaniram Narsinghdas Tiberwala Haveli.

Mandawa - Accommodation

There are many hotels in Mandawa. The tourists can also stay at resorts and heritage hotels. Regardless of the budget you might have, you can find the suitable accommodation for yourself in Mandawa.