Mandawa is a small hidden gem in Rajasthan. Tucked away in the interiors of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, Mandawa is village of colourful Havelies and old structures. Shekhawati region has 3 districts – Churu, Sikar and Jhunjhunu. This region is in north of Rajasthan and is a cluster of many villages and towns. Mandawa falls in district of Jhunjhunu.
In November 2023, I decided to visit Mandawa. I took a flight to Jaipur from Mumbai. Mandawa is about 170 kms from Jaipur and is connected via NH 11. Roads are in good condition and once you move away from Jaipur suburbs traffic also fades making driving pleasant and easy. Mandawa is about 65 kms from Sikar and about 50 kms from famous temple of Khatu Shyamji (Local deity).
I just bowed down at the temple town of Khatu and continued driving to Mandawa. Last 10 kms of driving is through single and bumpy road and then you reach to this Art wonder of state- Mandawa.
We stayed in a hotel which was inside a nice Haveli called Mandawa Kothi. Place is in centre of town and overlooks 2 beautiful chhatris.
Our room was on first floor with a large sit out overlooking pool and garden. Room was clean and medium sized with clean washroom with hot water facility. Room was connected to large rooftop from where we could see entire town. Hotel Kitchen was moderate but food had variety and was cooked fresh. We booked this place directly by calling them and tariff was 6K including of BF and taxes. There are only few properties inside Mandawa town, one such property is Castle Mandawa which is also equally beautiful place.
We Just took rest on day 1 and saw the property and spent some leisure time sitting on roof top and listening to old songs and called it a day.
Next day we took early breakfast and hired a guide for Mandawa village tour. Guide was a local guy called Taj.
Mandawa has a rustic charm and has about 200 Havelies, most of these Havelies are vacant and owners of these Havelies have shifted to Mumbai or Kolkata. They are old wealthy Marwaris and many of them are known business families of India now.
We first visited Goenka Haveli. It was a beauty carved in blue work and with magnificent big entrance door. Haveli is about 250 years old. Inside it has a large courtyard and rooms all around, it was breezy and exuded elegance. Thereafter we went to Murmuriya Haveli and Golden Haveli ( Juhnjhunwala Haveli). Golden haveli is supposed to have gold worth 3 Kgs painted in its large hall.
There are many such Havelies and all these places tell you a story, work on walls and on windows is of Fresco natural pigment and is colorful.
We went to local market too and bought couple of bedsheets with Rajasthani artwork. Entire town is has rustic feeling and worth spending 3-4 hours on feet in the old streets and shops. Place is safe and you can go out in night too though there are lots of dogs around..
We took a local guide to help us, his name is Taj and he can be reached on +91 97848 44208.
Next day we went to a nearby town called Ramgarh. Ramgarh is a old town and was one of the richest town in India in 19th century. It is a rich trade route of Marwaris. Ramgarh is about 40 kms from Mandawa and is connected via single road with shrubs and few small villages on both sides. You have just few vehicles passing by and entire driving is mostly without traffic. You get to see few birds, doves and Quail ( Bater bird). Ramgarh is a crowded town with small lanes around. It gives a sense of very old town. You can visit few old temples like- Shanti dev ji temple, Hanuman ji Temple and Jagdish ji ka Mandir inside old town.
Jagdish ji temple has beautiful Chhatri structure and we spent good 30 minutes there. Ramgarh we can do in 3-4 hours from Mandawa.
Overall Shekhawati region is very colourful and gives a different kind of experience, region is less popular and you barely see any local tourist, though few Europeans come and stays here for 3-4 days. Place is rustic and many Hindi movies have been shot here including Paheli, PK, Jab we met, and many more.
Total drive from Jaipur to Mandawa to Ramgarh Shekhawati to Jaipur is about 380 Kms and can be completed in 2 nights and 3 days.
Go visit this place, you will not forget this Live Art Village.
