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Mandawa

Experiential journeys will make you a storyteller
About Mandawa

Mandawa is a small town in the state of Rajasthan and lies in the Shekhawati region. It lies approximately 190 kilometers away from the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur, and approximately 240 kilometers from the National Capital, New Delhi. The town was essentially occupied by traders in the late 18th and the early 19th Century, which has now been transformed into a tourist attraction due to its beautiful history.

The town of Mandawa is also known as the open-air art gallery due to the numerous architecturally and artistically beautiful historical structures in the town. Most of the Havelis of Mandawa are famous for their paintings, murals, and various other beautiful artifacts. This amazing town is a must-visit for all the history, architecture, as well as art lovers out there.

The major attractions of the city are its iconic Havelis, most of which have now been restored into Heritage Hotels. Some of the Havelis that you can not miss out on your visit to Mandawa include the Murmuria Haveli, Chokhani Double Haveli, and the Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli. Some other beautiful attractions of Mandawa are the Harlalka Well, Saraf Haveli, and the Bansidhar Newatia Haveli.

There are a whole lot of amazing and exciting activities in Mandawa that a tourist can indulge in. The first and foremost thing that one needs to do is take a walking tour of the historical lanes of this small town and explore its ancient palatial residences, some of which have been restored, whereas, others still remain unattended. Tourists can also try out making a wish at the Harlalka Well, which is believed to come true by the local residents.

The city experiences hot and dry weather, which does not make it comfortable to be visited during the summers or monsoons. The best time to visit this art hub is during the winter season that starts from the months of October and stretches till March.

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Which are the best places to visit in Mandawa?

1. The Harlalka Well: Surrounded by 4 iconic pillars, the exact history of this beautiful structure remains unknown to date. However, this ancient well is believed to be deeper than the Indian Ocean. Moreover, the water levels in the well are still intact, so beware as there is no railing or any other kind of security around the well.

Also, it is believed by the locals that whatever wish you make, standing near this historical well is deemed to come true! If nothing more, it would surely pack your day with a bunch of excitement to look forward to.

Location: Ward No.-03, Mandawa.

2. Murmuria Haveli: There are a number of Havelis in Mandawa which is specifically famous for their intricate architecture, artwork, and mind-blowing wall painting. Murmuria Haveli surely tops that list. It was built by a Rajput merchant in the 1930s, and thus, also showcases the culture of Rajasthan in a great way.

Some of the most iconic paintings in this beautiful Haveli that attracts tourists are of Jawaharlal Nehru riding horseback, holding the Indian National Flag; Venice, George V, locomotives, and many more. The Haveli is also an outstanding example of the traditional Rajasthani Architecture and is surely worth admiration.

Location: Murmuria, Mandawa.

3. Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli: Considered to be one of the most palatial mansions in Mandawa that have ever been built, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli is one of the finest examples of art and vintage heritage in Mandawa. A visit to this historical Haveli would surely take you back to the Rajputana area with its intricately carved pieces of arts, murals, and the bold paintings.

Some of the major pieces of attraction in Haveli that one should look out for are its wooden carved gates and the windows. Some of the most talked-about paintings that you will find inside the Haveli include the painting of a woman giving birth, a bird tendering her eggs, and various paintings related to various aspects of nature and life.

Location: Mandawa, Rajasthan.

4. Chokhani Double Haveli: As the name suggests, this mansion was built in two adjacent wings for the families of two merchant brothers. This magnificent Haveli showcases the most beautiful of the frescoes in Mandawa city.

The artwork in the Haveli is mostly dedicated to the western and British influence on Indian culture and livelihood. Some of the paintings in the Haveli showcase cars, western outfits, balloons, and much more.

Location: Ward No.-05, Mandawa.

5. Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli: This grand Haveli perfectly preserves the Rajputana art and culture of the early 19th Century and allows the visitors to peek into the royal lifestyle of the Rajputs. The grand archways, sculptural murals, and paintings are some of the key attractions for the tourists to this Haveli.

The walls of the Haveli are also decorated with a number of paintings depicting Indian mythological figures such as Shiva, Nandi the Bull, Indra on his elephant, and many more. These paintings highly emphasize the beliefs of Rajput merchants on Gods and Goddesses.

Location: Mandawa, Rajasthan.

6. Bansidhar Newatia Haveli: This Haveli was built in the 1920s and is one of the most important attractions of the Mandawa city. The paintings of this Haveli are world popular and show a perfect combination of art, traditions, and the technological advancements of the early 19th Century.

Some of the most iconic paintings that one can witness one their visit to Bansidhar Newatia Haveli include the image of a boy using a telephone, the very first successful flight of the Wright Brothers, a woman riding a chauffeur-driven car, and various others. The brilliant design and the architectural elements of this pristine mansion are also worth admiration.

Location: Mandawa, Rajasthan.

7. Saraf Haveli: One of the most important places to visit if you wish to witness the beauty of Shekhawati art. Saraf Haveli is one of the best-preserved Havelis of its time and is a pure delight to be explored.

Most of the walls of this vintage mansion have been covered up with beautiful painting, depicting various different aspects of life. It also showcases the livelihood and lifestyle of the rich merchants of Mandawa of the early 19th Century through its impeccable design and architecture.

Location: Sadabahar Mohalla, Pabana, Mukundgarh, Rajasthan.

What are the famous things to do in Mandawa?

1. Dig deep into the history of the city: Being one of the major stops for the ancient trade route, the city of Mandawa has been home to a whole lot of rich Rajput traders of the early 19th century. You can easily get to hear about the stories of local traders, art, and culture of the bygone era from the friendly locals.

2. Explore the city on your foot: Mandawa is also known as an open-air art gallery. Each and every building that you may walk past in the city would surely have some great art and history hidden behind its rusty walls to be explored. Walking through the lanes of Mandawa would also allow you to get to know about the Maharajas and Maharanis of the past from the local shopkeepers selling beautiful paintings.

3. Shop for some unique things: If you are an art lover, you definitely need to buy some historical paintings from the local shopkeepers. Apart from that, Mandawa is also highly famous for its handicraft products, wooden chests and drawers, stools, and several other things.

You can also look out for locally crafted metal utensils, fabrics, and glass bangles. Most of these things would cost you really less as all of them are made locally. However, do not allow the cunning shopkeepers to charge you exorbitant prices for anything.

4. Admire the beautiful historical art: The historical Havelis of Mandawa surely act as a perfect canvas that beholds the beauty of the 18th and early 19th century in its walls and ceilings through its paintings.

Some of the most iconic Havelis that you cannot miss out on your visit to Mandawa are Safar Haveli, Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli, Chokhali Double Haveli, Murmuria Haveli, and Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli. Some of the most iconic paintings in these Havelis are either from the British rule in India, the Independence struggle, technological advancements of that era, as well as various aspects of life and nature.

5. Stay at a Heritage Hotel: Various Havelis and palatial residences of Mandawa have now been transformed into luxurious heritage hotels. If you wish to experience the divinity of this beautiful city in the best way possible, it is highly recommended for you to stay at one of the Heritage Hotels of Mandawa.

Due to the increasing tourism in the city, more and more owners of these ancient properties and getting their Havelis renovated to preserve the ancient art and culture of this Rajasthani city.

6. Try out some local authentic cuisines: Trip to any of the cities cannot be complete without trying out its delicious authentic food. Similarly, your visit to Mandawa would not be complete unless you gorge on some of its locally famous Ghewar. It’s a traditional Rajasthali dish which you would easily spot on the streets of Mandawa.

Some of the other food items that you cannot miss out on your visit to this historical city include Kachori, Moong Dal Halwa, and Dal Baati Churma. Some popular restaurants that you can plan to check out include the Paawana Restaurant and the Shekhawati Restaurant.

7. Make a wish at the wish well: Locals believe that making a wish near the ancient Harlalka well can actually make it come true. Sounds like a Bollywood movie plot? Well, even if not true, it’s surely worth a try for some entertainment as well as enthusiasm. Moreover, the Harlalka Well is also considered to be one of the deepest wells of the country; therefore, it is surely worth a visit.

What is Mandawa famous for?

Mandawa is surely famous for its iconic artistic Havelis that preserve the Rajasthani as well as Indian History of the late 18th and the early 19th Century in the best way possible. Apart from that, it is also one of the best cities to admire the traditional Rajasthani architecture and stay at one of the palatial mansions. Mandawa is also famous for its paintings as well as locally made handicraft products.

What is the best time to visit Mandawa?

The best time to visit Mandawa is during the winter season from the month of October to March. Visiting this warm city during any other month shall not allow you to explore the streets of this ancient city properly.

How to reach Mandawa?

- By Air: The nearest airport to Mandawa is the Jaipur International Airport which is approximately 180 kilometers away from the city. There are regular flights from almost every major airport in the country to Jaipur.

- By Train: The nearest Railway Station to Mandawa in Jhunjhunu, which is 30 kilometers away from the city and is very connected to the major train junctions of the country.

- By Road: Mandawa is well connected by road with major cities like New Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, as well as Bikaner, which makes it easily reachable with your very own vehicle.

How far is Mandawa from Delhi?

Mandawa is approximately 240 kilometers away from the capital of India, New Delhi. It takes approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes to cover this distance via car.

What to buy from Mandawa?

Some of the great products that you can take home from Mandawa are listed below:

- Historical Paintings
- Handicraft Products
- Wooden Chest and Drawers
- Glass Bangles
- Dye Fabrics
- Furniture.

How many days are required to visit Mandawa?

To explore the city of Mandawa in a fulfilling way, it is highly recommended to have at least 3 complete days in hand. However, if you are willing to just skim through only the major attractions of the city, 2 complete days shall be enough to spend in Mandawa.

What are the best places to stay in Mandawa?

1. Hotel Chobdar Haveli: This beautiful Haveli is amongst one of the top picks for a stay in Mandawa. The stay also features an open terrace which provides terrific views of the city. Hotel also organizes traditional evening entertainment for its guests.

2. Mandawa Kothi: This beautifully restored historic Haveli facilitates its guests with a lavish swimming pool, a sun terrace, a restaurant, and also provides its guests with free bikes to explore the beautiful city.

3. Harlalka Haveli: This brand-new hotel is a beautifully transformed historic haveli, with a beautifully manicured garden as well as a pool for its guests to rejuvenate. It is also one of the most luxurious hotels in Mandawa.

4. Vivaana: This beautiful Shekhawati Haveli still preserves its ancient murals, paintings, as well as artifacts for its guests to admire. It also features amazing lawns, a terrace, as well as a swimming pool.

What are the best restaurants in Mandawa?

1. Mona Lisa Rooftop Restaurant: It is one of the best restaurants to visit if you wish to gorge on some authentic Rajasthani flavors and provides its guests with an amazing view of the city. The restaurant is also well known for its great service and customization.

2. Shekhawati Restaurant: This restaurant not only serves delicious food but also is a beautiful piece of art in itself. Made in Rajasthani architecture style, the restaurant boasts beautiful historic paintings and serves the best food in the town.

3. Paawana Restaurant: This huge restaurant is situated within the heart of the city and serves great Rajasthani meals that would surely woo away your taste buds as well as your heart.

4. Restaurant Mandawa Junction Palace: This rooftop restaurant is a must-visit on your trip to Mandawa to try out its authentic Dal Baati Churma, Laal Maas, and other servings. The restaurant has a great ambiance and looks over the beautiful town of Mandawa.

Mandawa Reviews

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Rutuparna Sahani
Reviewed: 07 Aug 2023
5.0/5
We loved the experience . The driver was fantastic and the guides were great. Few minor mistakes or glitches but overall experience was fantastic . Took back a lifetime of memories and good times with us. Feel free to use the pics or videos on your site ! Thank you to the team for the wonderful... Read More
Rutuparna  Sahani
Rutuparna  Sahani
Rutuparna  Sahani
Rutuparna  Sahani
Rutuparna  Sahani
Rutuparna  Sahani
(25+)View All
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Jacquelyn Jense N
Reviewed: 19 Dec 2023
5.0/5
Just want to write here about my experience with Thrillophilia. They planned such an amazing trip. The itinerary they prepared was amazing and give me most of the unforgettable experiences in the Rajasthan trip with a thrillophilia. My POC was BHUPESHWAR PAL SINGH CHANDAWAT. He did an amazing job an... Read More
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Arvind Seshadri
Reviewed: 27 Nov 2023
4.0/5
The driver assigned to us Mr.Imran was very knowledgable and helped us cover most of the places. The thrilophilia support team especially Mr.Nitin Joshi checked on us and ensured our trip was hassle free.
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Girja Patel
Reviewed: 25 May 2023
5.0/5
Thrillophilia's tour was a delightful mix of history and romance. We enjoyed shopping near the Red Fort and taking pictures of charming spots in the city. The visit to Amer Fort's Sheesh Mahal, relaxing at Saheliyon Ki Bari's royal seat, and watching the sunset from Nahargarh Fort were amazing exper... Read More
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Mathew T Joy
Reviewed: 12 Mar 2023
4.0/5
Overall a great trip.  Support from Eshita Yadav and Mahika was excellent and made the whole difference.  They worked very diligently and hard to ensure the deal was done properly right from the beginning.  Mahika was very responsive everytime I called her during the journey. She was very helpful.  ... Read More
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Gotum Deshpande
Reviewed: 26 Feb 2021
5.0/5
I decided to take my cousins on a trip to some of the most interesting places in the country a few weeks ago, and while looking for suitable travel packages, I came across thrillophilia……... I decided to book my trip with them after much deliberation……... We had an incredible experience thanks to th... Read More

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