Known as one of the finest nestled in the Shekhawati region, Mandawa is not only famous for its royal castle, but also for its innumerable Havelis where painted facades offer a great variety of surprises.

Mandwa was founded by Thakur Nawal Singh, a descendant of Rao Shekha after whom the whole Shekhawati region was named. Today this small town has come out as a major centre of handicrafts and furniture industry.

Places worth checking out

Castle Mandawa
This castle was built in the year 1755 and is approachable through two gateways mounted with cannons. Several narrow staircases and courtyards connect the dinning room with the rest of the rooms, which were added to the palace over the centuries. A terrace offers a view over the entire town. Now converted into a charming heritage hotel, do not miss to enjoy the dinner in the open environment of the castle's back lawns.

Camel Safari in the Thar
Do you get lured with the mystified and unexplored beauty of the desert region? Shekhawati is one the best regions of the state of Rajasthan to enjoy a camel Safari. Mandawa works as an ideal getaway destination to get experience the desert horizons.

Around Mandwa

Nawalgarh is situated around 37 km south of Mandawa and is famous for its fort, built in 1737. Other attractions here include havelis of Anandi Lal Poddar, Aath Haveli, Hem Raj Kulwal Haveli, Bhagton Ki Haveli, and Khedwal Bhavan.

Parsurampura is located some 43 km south east of Mandawa and has the distinction of having the best-preserved and oldest paintings in the Shekhawati region.

Mukundgarh is around 25 km southeast of Mandawa and is a tiny village famous for its fort and havelis.

Dundlod is situated around 30 southeast of Mandawa and is famous for its fort and havelis. The attractions in this place include the Jagathia Haveli, Satyanarayan Temple, and Tuganram Goenka Haveli apart from the Dundlod fort and palace.

Fatehpur was established in 1451 as a capital for Muslim nawabs but was taken by the Shekhawat Rajputs in the 18th century. Some of the attractions include the Mahavir Prasad Goenka Haveli, Gauri Shankar Haveli, Nand Lal Devra Haveli, and Harikrishnan Das Sarogi Haveli apart from a 17th century baoli.

Jhunjhunu is the district headquarters and the largest town in the Shekhawati region. The town was founded by the Kaimkhani nawabs in the mid-15th century, and stayed under their control until it was taken by the Rajput ruler Sardul Singh in 1730. The major attractions in the city include the Khetri Mahal, Bihariji Temple, Modi Haveli, and Kaniram Narsinghdas Tiberwala Haveli .

Location: 150-km From Udaipur, Rajasthan

Best Time To Visit: April To June And October To November
Area: 25-sq-kms
Population: 18,000
Festival: Summer festival (1st-3rd June)