Mandawa

Mandawa is a must-visit travel destination if you are planning to travel to Rajasthan. Travel to Mandawa, the beautiful town in the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. Known throughout the state for its forts and havelis, Mandawa reminds one of the cultural and social hotspot this place used to be in the bygone era.

The compact and busy little market town of 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 who travel to Rajasthan.

Mandawa provides 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'.

Founded in the 18th century, the medieval Mandawa Fort dominates the town with a painted arched gateway adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows. The Chokhani and Ladia havelis and the street with Saraf havelis are some of the splendid examples of this region's havelis.

The Binsidhar Newatia Haveli has some curious paintings on its outer eastern wall-a boy using a telephone and a European woman in a car driven by a chauffeur. The Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli has some defaced erotic images.

Tourists planning for Mandawa travel will find one of the best places to buy souvenirs here. The busy little market of Mandawa has many antique shops that sell local handicrafts and antiques.