Script Your next Weekend Story at Mandawa – The Open Air Art Gallery!

Did you know you could soak in a slice of colourful Shekhawati culture, just five hours away from Delhi? Or, that you could take haveli tours, enjoy camel rides and stock up on artsy miniatures – all at the same place? Mandawa, Shekhawati’s tourism capital in Rajasthan offers all this and much more.

Known as the open-air art gallery, this historic town is a canvas set in stone and concrete – guaranteed to be an enriching cultural experience.

Here’s a list of the top touristy things to do at Mandawa on your next weekend getaway.

Admire the intricate Rajput-style architecture of Mandawa Fort

Designed in typical Rajput architectural style, Mandawa Fort was built to safeguard the trading activities of erstwhile Shekhawati merchants. Nestled within the sprawling Aravallis, the fort is famous for its colourful archways, hand-painted interiors, intricate frescoes and striking mirror work. Today, it has been transformed into a heritage abode – Castle Mandawa Hotel, allowing visitors to #LiveLikeRoyals in the heart of Jhunjhunu.

You can explore the antique collection at the Durbar Hall, stroll along the beautifully-themed corridors, marvel at the detailing of the heavy wooden doors, and feast your eyes on the stellar art pieces dotting the fort complex. There’s also an immaculate peacock garden in one corner, a marble fountain in the zenana and a sturdy turret offering breath-taking views of the town below.

Tour dramatic local Havelis

Home to prominent merchant families of India, Mandawa boasts of a large number of beautiful havelis exhibiting a seamless blend of luxury and legacy. Here are a few that you must explore:

Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli

Particularly famous for its mythological paintings and beautiful statues, the Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli borders a central courtyard, allowing ample sunshine to light up its gorgeous interiors. You can witness the architectural finesse carefully enunciated with colourful murals all around, climb up to a jharonkha and marvel at the famous statues of Lord Shiva and Nandi in the haveli complex.

Murmuria Haveli

Known to exhibit murals and paintings of famous politicians and the nuances of everyday life, the Murmuria Haveli is a stunning edifice in Mandawa. Built in the 1930s, the haveli welcomes you with a sandy frontyard and wows you with fancy paintings of the Venice Bridge, a bright train, a pretty dancer and Nehru with the Tricolour. Other paintings depict interesting scenes, that offer a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of the local populace here.

Lakshminarayan Ladia Haveli

One of the best preserved and lavish havelis in Mandawa, the Lakshminarayan Ladia is a poetic abode, depicting various scenes from the Hindu epic – Ramayana. While the latticed windows speak volumes about the craftsmanship, the vivid murals leave you enraptured with its themes and depictions. The scenes of Lord Rama slaying the demon king, Ravana, and friends bonding over hookah are the scene-stealers here.

Chokhani Double Haveli

Named as such due to two separate wings made for two brothers, the Chokhani Double Haveli flaunts early 19^th century Rajput architecture. Winning you over with captivating murals, primarily depicting the legends of Krishna, the haveli also flaunts colonial influences popular at that time.

#MMTTip: The winding verandahs and the well-preserved frescoes are ideal for some beautiful pictures, make sure to carry your camera along.

Binsidhar Newatia Haveli

Currently housing the local branch of the State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, the Binsidhar Newatia Haveli is renowned for its vivid modern-era depictions and old-world charm. While the large elephant riding scenes will be a treat for your eyes, the paintings of the Wright Brothers taking flight is the showstopper here.

Offer your prayers at the Raghunath ji Mandir

A spectacular religious edifice dedicated to Lord Raghunath, the Raghunath ji Mandir will wow you with its exquisite interiors and lavish frescoes, which come alive during the orange sunsets Rajasthan is known for.

Enjoy the annual music festival – Taalbelia

Held in the month of December, Taalbelia celebrates the best of Rajasthani music in Mandawa every year. While you can dance to the tunes of popular Rajasthani folk music, there are also various workshops and peripheral food festivals organized, to lend a boutique charm to the festival. If you’re planning a trip anytime soon, make sure to attend this super-awesome music fest here!

Shop to your heart’s content at the Local Main Bazaar

A haven for curio hoarders and handicraft enthusiasts, the Local Main Bazaar in Mandawa is full of items and paraphernalia, paying homage to the rich cultural heritage of the region. You can buy colourful table lamps, miniature wooden dolls and carvings, robust-yet-stylish furniture, colourful glassware, local fabrics, heavy Rajput-inspired jewellery and much more here.

Here are some quick bites to help plan your trip:

Best time to visit Mandawa:

October – March

How to reach Mandawa:

Mandawa is well-connected by buses, trains and cabs from New Delhi. The nearest major railway station, Jhunjhunu is covered by many Northern Railways trains.

Where to stay:

You can stay at the former haveli-turned-hotel, The Messenger Harlalka Haveli, a Sarovar heritage property here. This 275-years-old boutique abode lies close to popular tourist attractions, and offers 11 splendid accommodations for travellers. You will love taking strolls in the well-maintained lawns, rejuvenating in the outdoor pool, unwinding in the charming outdoor spaces and gorging on authentic Shekhawati cuisine at the in-house restaurant.

All pumped up?

Book Your Flight to Mandawa (nearest airport)