Mandawa

Mandawa has a rich heritage and a long history. The epicentre of the Shekhawati region, this town is an open art gallery of elegant havelis and intricate fresco art, folk arts and cuisine. A quiet Rajasthani town, that is situated 240 kms to the west of Delhi, Mandawa is located centrally in the Shekhawati region, the traditional bastion of Marwari traders and it was an important trade-town from the 17th century until a few decades ago. The prosperity of its old residents is reflected in the gorgeous havelis they built all over the town, complete with traditional Rajasthani architecture and intricate fresco paintings, depicting events from Lord Krishna’s legend and scenes from the daily life of yore. So while the trading families have moved to other parts of the country, these havelis, temples and castles still stand testimony to the past era, captivating travellers from India and abroad alike. In fact, the fresco art, a style of mural painting done on directly on fresh plaster, is so visible on the buildings here, that Mandawa is often referred to as the biggest open art gallery in world.

The town’s outskirts are covered by sand dunes inhabited by small villages locally called ‘Dhaanis’. Although they are small in size, these dhaanis are culturally vibrant, with the residents proficient in folk performing arts and local cuisine. That’s not all. Because of its strong geographical factors and rich cultural heritage, Mandawa has recently become a favored Bollywood location, with many recent blockbusters, like PK, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Jab We Met shot here in the recent years.