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Mandawa is a land famous for its beautiful castles and stunning havelis. The whole of Shekhawati region is known as the largest open air art gallery due to places like Nawalgarh, Jhunjhunu and Dundlod that showcases some of the finest specimen of frescoes, murals and paintings. Mandawa is the capital of the Shekhawati region and consists of the administrative districts of Jhunjhunu, Churu and Sikdar in the northeast part of Rajasthan. Mandawa city was founded in the mid 18th century and mainly inhabited by rich merchant families. These rich and dominant merchants decided to construct massive havelis beautifully adorned with frescoes and wall paintings as their residence. However, with time their business grew compelling them to move on to other cities leaving behind their legacy in the form of these exquisite Havelis in the shadows of anonymity. Today, these havelis stands as a major tourist attraction of the city having lost none of its original charm and splendor. Such exquisitely designed havelis are not found anywhere else in Rajasthan. Decorated with wonderful paintings, what sets them apart is the fact that each of these mansions is unique in their pattern and style of design. It is said that there was a time when precious gems were imbedded on the walls of Havelis to enhance their beauty. The themes of these paintings have undergone changes depending upon the time. While mythological characters like local legends, war scenes and animals dominated the earliest ones, it changed to English men in hunting attires, cars, gramophones and trains during the 19th century. Apart from the Havelis, the Mandawa Fort is the main center of activity at Mandawa. Intricate carvings, fascinating paintings and amazing mirror work adorn the archways of the fort, leaving the onlookers spellbound. Some of the paintings depict Lord Krishna with his Gopis in playful activities. The architectural brilliance of the fort is such that each of its wings is set up in a different theme. Situated at a predominant position, this massive fort has now been converted into a heritage hotel.

History of Mandawa
The history of Mandawa lies wrapped between the rugged and arid Aravalli hills, where the town stands today as a testimony to its glorious past. One of the most beautiful historical towns in the Shekhawati region, Mandawa is a virtual book of history in itself. The region has beautifully managed to preserve its charm and grandeur from the bygone age to present a delightful experience to present day travelers. Initially the Mandawa region was known as “Mandu ki dhani” which became “Mandu ka bas” during the latter period before finally being renamed as Mandawa. The history of Mandawa speaks volume about the Rajput craftsmanship as is apparent through its beautifully painted murals, paintings and intricately crafted designs. These features have earned title of ‘Open air art gallery’ of Rajasthan. Historically, these regions used to serve as the stronghold of Rao Shekhaji who founded his dynasty here after whom the city was named. Now a remote feudal principality in the centre of the Shekhawati region, Mandawa was a historical trading outpost as several ancient caravans from Middle East and China stopped here en-route their trading journeys. In 1755 the Rajput ruler of Mandawa Thakur Nawal Singh decided to protect this post for which he built a fort. Soon a whole township grew around the fort and a large community of traders also settled here. This was the point of transition of Mandawa from a quaint little village to a center of trade & commerce that saw several wealthy merchants and traders establishing and expanding their business far and beyond. However, by the late 18th century the caravan traffic ceased in the region, compelling the local traders to create their business empires in other parts of the country. They decided to build for themselves palatial mansions that would aptly suite their status at the same time exhibiting something special and unique. They had the luxury of hiring services of some of the finest artisans, painters and sculptors available in the region and the end result were the finest specimen of artistic brilliance and imagination of men. Apart from these superlative mansions, the region is also known for the majestic Mandawa Fort. Built by Nawal Singh-a famous Shekhawati ruler, Mandawa Fort preserved the grandeur and glory for ages and is now converted into a heritage hotel. Displaying beautifully painted murals and paintings, pictures depicting mythological characters, arched doorways and domed structures recreate the old magic. In a nutshell, a visit to Mandawa will surely give you a taste of not only its glorious past but a culmination of the entire Rajasthan region.

Culture of Mandawa
The vibrant culture of Mandawa dazzles with splendid havelis, vibrant paintings, marvelous frescoes and glorious traditions, captivating you with its rich possessions wrapped under the layers of time. One of the best places to observe, experience and marvel at the deep rooted culture that manifests itself in various customs and traditions, enriching the simple everyday life and reminding one of the glorious bygone era. This treasure trove of culture lets you experience its richness through its folk music, ethnic dances and desert songs. The whole region of Shekhawati was established by the powerful Rajput King Rao Shekha Ji whose exploits are now the stuff of legends. The regions are still known for possessing the same bravery and valor. The Rajput rulers were connoisseur of art & culture and ensured continual development of ethnic traditions like paintings, art, architecture, classical dances and musical forms. Not surprisingly we find brilliantly colored and lifelike frescoes done by master artisans adorning the massive havelis and architectural structures dotting its mystical landscape.
Traditional Song & dance comprises an important part of Mandawa culture and it very common to see every occasion being celebrated with a particular song that is sung by group of women in their traditional attire. Although the region does not boasts of a unique form of dance, almost all famous dances in Rajasthan like Bhavai, Chari, Fire Dance, Gair and Kachhi Ghodi are performed here. The festivals also showcase a new facet of Mandawa culture. Be it the festival of colors- Holi, the festival for maidens and married women- Gangaur or other popular festivals like Teez and Navratri, one may see the whole village immersed in festive spirit and excitement. This is the time to take a break from daily rigors and works and be a part of cultural traditions that have been followed since ages. Overall Mandawa exhibits one of the best accumulations of Rajasthan culture, its folk song & dance, the famous Havelis and exquisite cuisine to present a charming synthesis, a discovery of which is both an enlightening and indulging affair.

Climate & Best time to visit
Mandawa like most places in Rajasthan experiences extreme climatic condition during most of the year. The summer season is very hot, and the temperature during the months of May to June ranges from 27°C during summers and up to 42°C during day time. The winter season falls in December to January with night temperature as low as 4°C in the night. As with other parts of Rajasthan, rainfall is low and the monsoon season experiences an average annual rainfall of 45 to 60 cm. considering the weather conditions, the best time to visit Mandawa is regarded from October to March.

Mandawa at a glance
State: Rajasthan
District: Jhunjhunu
Location: Shekhawati Region of Rajasthan, India
Languages: Rajasthani, Hindi, English
Climate: Extreme
Clothing: Light tropical (cotton) for summer & Light woolen for winter
Best time to visit: October to March
Long Distance Code: +91-1495
Latitude: 28.06° in the North.
Longitude: 75.20° in the East.
Temperature: Summer Max 40.5 °C Winter Max 10 °C
Rainfall: Average rainfall varies 45 - 60 cms.

How to reach Mandawa

By Air: The nearest airport is Jaipur located at a distance of 168 km from Mandawa. A notable domestic airport, one may reach to Jaipur via flight from Delhi, Mumbai and Udaipur.

By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Jhunjhunu which is well connected with major cities like Delhi, Bikaner and Jaipur.

By Road: A well connected network of roads connects Mandawa with rest of the region and other nearby cities. Important city distances are Jaipur-168 km, Mandawa -240 km and Bikaner-190 km.