MANDAWA – It is a small town located in the Shekhawati Region of Rajasthan. This region derives its name from MahaRao Shekha, its former ruler.
Shekhawati is also known as the "Open art gallery of Rajasthan", the region is famous for its amazing havelis and forts richly painted and decorated. The havelis of Shekhawati were built by the erstwhile rulers and wealthy merchants of the past. They served as a measure of prosperity and success of the merchants. The grander the haveli, the more prosperous the merchant was believed to be. The Havelis are full of beautiful fresco paintings. Most of the buildings are dated from 18th century to early 20th century.
Mandawa was founded in the mid 18th century amd was once inhabited by the rich merchant families. The wealthy and dominant merchants constructed massive havelis, adorned with beautiful wall paintings, for the purpose of their residence. However, with time, the merchants moved on and migrated to other areas, leaving the beautiful havelis in the shadows of anonymity. Every haveli maintains its individuality and are decorated with wonderful paintings.
The Chokhani and Ladia havelis and the street with Saraf havelis are some of the splendid examples of this region's havelis. The Binsidhar Newatia Haveli has some curious paintings on its outer eastern wall-a boy using a telephone, and a European woman in a car driven by a chauffeur.
In the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, lies the beautiful small town Mandawa, known throughout the state for its forts and Havelis. Founded in the 18th century, the medieval fort of Mandawa dominates the town with a painted arched gateway adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows. Today you will have the opportunity to visit few of the famous havelis of this region.
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