Mandawa Desert: The Open Art Gallery of Rajasthan
Mandawa, located in the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, is often considered to be the open art gallery of Rajasthan. Dotted with palaces, forts and havelis that feature colourful and intricate artwork, Mandawa was once a major cultural and social centre. The fort of Mandawa was constructed in 1755 AD by Thakur Nawal Singh. The fort is unique in that no two rooms in it are alike. An imposing aspect of this fort is that the turret room of the fort is enclosed with seven foot thick walls. The town later evolved around the fort with many havelis and palaces being constructed by the prominent merchant families of the region who were under constant harassment from bandits. Nevertheless, the fort dominates the town and is made more prominent by its painted arched gateway that is adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows. Of the many havelis dotting the town, perhaps the most famous are the Chokhani and Ladia havelis and the Saraf havelis. Some of the havelis were constructed much later and sometimes also feature many western influences. For example, the Binsidhar Newatia haveli has many unique paintings including one of a boy using a telephone and one of European woman being driven in a car by a chauffeur. Some havelis such as the Gulab Rai Ladia haveli also feature erotica. The Mandawa fort has been converted to a 5-star luxury desert palace hotel. The havelis too have been converted into heritage hotels.
Places to visit in Mandawa
Mandawa is located in the heart of the Shekhawati region and as such is near to many important tourist destinations of the region. Prominent among these are Nawalgarh, Parsurampura, Mukundgarh, Dundlod, Fatehpur and Jhunjhunu. The aforementioned travel destinations are home to some of Rajasthan’s most beautiful desert temples, havelis, palaces and forts, many of which have today been converted into heritage desert hotels and museums.
Mandawa- Travel tips, languages spoken, cuisine
- Languages: Hindi and English are widely spoken, and as such communication should not be a problem.
- Climate: If one is visiting Mandawa during the summer, it is advisable that one wear white clothing, as temperatures can often touch 40°C.
- Cuisine: Due to the upmarket-ness of the place, cuisine catering to all tastes is available here. However, it is recommended that one stick to local food.
Mandawa is found in the itinerary of the desert tours of many tour operators.
Best time to visit Mandawa
The climate in Mandawa is extreme with hot summers and cold winters. In summer, the temperatures range from 40.5°C and 25.3°C. The winters (October to March) are much cooler with temperatures ranging between 25.5°C and 9°C. Consequently, most tourists prefer to visit Khimsar during the winter months of October to March.
Best way to reach Mandawa
- By Air: The nearest airport is the state capital of Jaipur (located 190 kms away), which is one of India’s most prominent international airports.
- By Rail: The nearest railhead is the district headquarters of Jhunjhunu, which is located approximately 35 kms away.
- By Road: Mandawa is well-connected to all major tourist destinations in Rajasthan.
Accommodation in Mandawa
Hotels, inspection bungalows, private cottages, etc. are available to suit all budgets. Mandawa abounds in family holiday apartments and bungalows. One can obtain excellent discounts on accommodation via Rajasthan tour packages. Many Mandawa hotels have some connections to the erstwhile royalty of the region. This unique Rajasthan desert destination is home to many desert resorts, desert hotels, desert castles and desert palaces.