Stop 12 – Mandawa

Mandawa was a trading outpost for the ancient caravan routes that stopped here from China and the Middle East. Thakur Nawal Singh, the Rajput ruler of Nawalgarh and Mandawa, built a fort in 1755 to protect this outpost. There are many painted havelis from the leading business families and the havelis are decorated with bright murals and well preserved paintings or frescos. We visited the Chowkhani Haveli,  Goenka Haveli, Saraf Haveli and Ladia Haveli.

Our hotel Castle Mandawa Hotel is situated in the Mandawa Fort. The fort dominates the town and has a painted arched gateway adorned with frescoes of Lord Krishna and his cows. The hotel features beautiful frescoes and many of the rooms are decorated with paintings of Lord Krishna, exquisite carvings and amazing mirror work. The hotel’s Durbar Hall houses a number of antiques and paintings.