Varanasi City Guide

Mandawa is situated 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.

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.

Climate
Like most of the other places in north India, Mandawa too has an extreme climate. The summers can be very hot with the mercury touching 40.5°C, whereas winters can be chilly and the temperature can fall below 10°C. The best season to visit this place is winter i.e. October to March. The annual rainfall is between 45 to 60 cm. Recommended clothing is light tropical for summer and light woolen for winter.

Mandawa provides the visitors with a sense of discovery at every turn; battlements that offer spectacular views of the town below, a whimsical peacock weather van, and an arched window that overlooks the verdant garden visited by peacocks. Most importantly, the fact that no two rooms are alike in the palace here. In the zenana or women's quarters, one room offers antique murals, another has a marble fountain, and the turret room boasts of walls that are seven feet thick. Looking out from the window of the turret room, it is easy to imagine the marauding bandits that once roamed freely here. Little wonder then that the family crest contains the motto, 'Veer Bhogya Vasundhara', which translates into 'the brave shall inherit the earth'

Nestled in the rugged Aravallis the Mandawa Fort, Mandawa is one of the most beautiful forts in Rajasthan. Located in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, the Mandawa Fort, Mandawa bears testimony to the bygone era of grandeur and splendor. Indianholiday.com offers online information on Mandawa Fort, Mandawa and other tourist attractions of Rajasthan and other parts of India.

History:

Mandawa was a sleepy hamlet in Rajasthan which was founded in the 18th century. Wealthy merchants from all over made it a trading post and they built their palatial mansions and Havelis in Mandawa. From the exquisitely painted forts to the beautiful monuments, Mandawa in Rajasthan in India boasts of some of the beautiful creations. These Havelis attract tourists from all over. Built in the 18th century these monuments have treasured the remnants of history in their well furnished and lavishly designed walls.

The Mandawa Fort is one such beautiful fort in Mandawa in Rajasthan. Nestled in Mandawa it was built by Nawal Singh who was the direct descendant of the Shekhawati rulers who ruled over this region. Around this Mandawa Fort, Mandawa, the little township of Mandawa grew up.

Shopping
The busy little market of Mandawa has many antique shops that sell local handicrafts and antiques. Before purchasing anything from these shops, it is better to confirm that it has not been taken out from the havelis of the region. Export of antiques older than 100 years is illegal and should not be done, for the sake of saving the heritage of this region.

How to Reach

• 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.