Mandawa Sightseeing

Overview of Mandawa

Mandawa is a small busy town in the centre of the Shekhawati region in Rajasthan.  Known for its fort and colorful havelis (traditional homes of the Marwari clan), Mandawa was founded in the 18th century by Thakur Nawal Singh - the Rajput ruler of Nawalgarh and Mandawa.

Inside Mandawa Palace 

Several Marwari traders moved to Mandawa after it was fortified. Wealthy in their own rights, many of them went on to build havelis with beautifully painted frescoes as decorations.  Many of the havelis were abandoned when the traders moved on to new settlements leaving the beautiful havelis in the shadows of anonymity. Still, the magnificence of these havelis did not diminish.  With the resurgence of tourism in the regionthe havelis and the Mandawa Fort have become the primary tourist attractions in Mandawa.

History of Mandawa

Mandawa has historically been a remote feudal principality situated in the centre of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan.  Primarily a trading outpost for the ancient caravan trails that were enroute between China and the Middle East, Mandawa was at its peak glory in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s.

Under the extended rules of the  Bhojraj Ji Kasubsub clan of Shekhawat Rajputs, Manadawa was established by Thakur Nawal Singh – the ruler of both Nawalgarh and Mandawa.  He built the Mandawa Fort in 1755 to protect this remote principality, and with the umbrella protection provided by the fort a township grew around it attracting a large community of traders.




Over time, Mandawa had many forms of its name.  These included “Mandu ki Dhani”, “Mandu ka Bas”, and “Manduwas” which evolved into current day “Mandawa”. 

Quick Facts of Mandawa

State: Rajasthan , India

Location: Mandawa is situated in the centre of the Shekhawati region, in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. 

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit Mandawa is during the winter months from October to March.   However, the monsoon season is also a good time to visit Mandawa and the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. 

STD Code:  The STD code of Mandawa is: 01592

Mandawa Woman

Siteseeing in Mandawa

Havelis:

Havelis are the traditional homes of the Marwari people. They reflect the status of the family living in it. Havelis are closed on all sides and have a big main door. They typically have an outer courtyard, where the men sit and an inner courtyard which is primarily used by the women. Some of the havelis have up to 3 or 4 courtyards and may also be up to 3 floors high. These havelis were painted by artists with frescos depicting religious and mythological themes. Today most of the havelis are empty of residents and have become tourist attractions. 

Colorful paintings

Mandawa makes for a convenient Places Around Delhi to visit during a weekend.

Mandawa Fort:

A beautiful historical town with a quaint charm, Mandawa is known as a fort town because of the numerous ancient forts and havelis found here. One of the significant features of these havelis is the coloured paintings on their walls. These havelis speak volumes about the magnificent architectural styles that were prevalent in ancient India.

Mandawa Fort was founded in the 1755 by Thakur Nawal Singh. This medieval fort situated in the centre of town is known for artistic brilliance and ancient craftsmanship. In the palace within the fort, none of the rooms are built in styles similar to another. Each room has its own distinct style. The elaborate interiors are bedecked by beautiful frescoes, exquisite paintings of Lord Krishna, exquisite carvings and intricate mirror work.

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The Durbar Hall of the palace has several antiques and paintings. The zenana or women’s quarters, has charming rooms with antique murals in one, a marble fountain in another and seven feet walls in yet another. The battlements of the palace provide striking views of the town below. Today the fort has been converted into a heritage hotel 

Local Pictures from Mandawa