Location
Mandawa is located 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.
The
heart of Shekhawati
In the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan lies the beautiful small
town Mandawa, known throughout the state for its forts and havelis. The
structures of this place 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 visiting Rajasthan.
Places of Tourist Interest
» Castle Mandwa : the most popular place, towering
high above the town Mandawa, this rugged, handsome fort guides the tired and
weary traveler to it's portals. Mustachioed sword bearing guards stand at
the immensely tall, spiked gate to welcome the travelers.
» Gulab Rai Wadia Haveli : Another haveli worth
asking for by name is Gulab Rai Wadia Haveli , in the south of town, where
the decoration of the outer and inner walls is perhaps the finest in
Shekhawati. Blue washes here and there betray twentieth-century censorship
of the erotic scenes that had been commonly acceptable one hundred years
earlier.
» Chowkhadi Haveli : Chowkhadi Haveli is unique in
the region for having twin wings. Its murals are particularly beautiful and
well preserved; look for the miserable British soldiers and chillum -smoking
sadhu on the walls in the recess of the facade
»
Goenka Double Haveli : The outer walls, jutting balconies, alcoves and
overhanging upper storeys of the Goenka Double Haveli in the west of town
are replete with patterns and paintings, ranging from traditional Rajasthani
women and religious motifs to Europeans in stylish hats and Victorian
finery.
How to get there !
» By Air : The nearest charter airport is Jhunjhunu,
the largest city in the region and the district headquarters. Jaipur is the
nearest airport for regular flights. Many domestic airlines operate out of
Jaipur and connect it with other cities in the country.
» By Rail : Jhunjhunu is the nearest convenient
railhead and one can take trains for Sikar, Jaipur, and Delhi from
Jhunjhunu.
» By Road : Road networks crisscross the entire
region of Shekhawati, and Mandawa is well connected with other places in the
region by private as well as government buses. It is a good idea for groups
of four or five persons to hire taxis to move around the place.
