Mandawa…a Vintage Destination!!
Mandawa, a quintessential showcase of Rajasthan is a beautiful town located in the Jhunjhunu district. A number of tele-serials portraying the culture and traditions of Rajasthan and its royalty have been shot here and have caught the attention of many who are always looking out for a destination holiday. Add to it is the fact that most of the Best hotels in Mandawa were originally forts and Havelis which have been converted to host the visitors in the perfect ambience of royalty.
Experiencing the heritage of Rajasthan in all its myriad colors at Mandawa can be memorable. The desert land of Shekhavati with its golden sands beckons the travelers to its folds. Most houses are decorated with paintings that depict the rich culture of this place and are a sight to behold. The architecture which has withstood the test of changing seasons and times is replete with stories of yester years.
The closest airport to Mandawa is at Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, which is located 170 kms from here. The town is easily accessible through rail too. The best time to visit Mandawa is between October to March when the temperatures are low and the scorching heat is still far away.
The Havelis and the best hotels in Mandawa are also famous for hosting destination weddings. Right from comfortable stay overs for guests, to delectable Rajasthani and continental cuisines; to baraat processions … one can have it all under a roof. The turrets and towers, the palanquins, the murals and paintings make for a perfect backdrop for a royal wedding. Giving the opportunity to the guests to feel like royalty as they seep in the ambience steeped in rich Rajasthani culture can have no parallel.
Providing the perfect balance of contemporary elegance and traditional royalty can be a heady mix which Mandawa is famous for. Most hotels are adorned with family portraits and antiques and are run by the family members which add to the charm of staying in these converted luxury hotels.
During the holiday season the local markets swarm with visitors. The markets have lot to offer including exquisite brass antiques, handicrafts and textile items, and traditional furniture bearing paintings copied from the walls and depicting the culture of the area.
Another attraction that draws the crowds is the fresco trail which gets one across innumerable Havelis bearing testament to this method of painting murals used widely at that time. Fresco basically was a painting on wet plaster, which was a method that ensured that the painting was bonded to the wall once the paint dried off. The whole area bears these paintings and a walk around town may just seem like a walk in an open art gallery which beautifully showcases the changing times and culture of this beautiful town.
Since vacation times mostly coincide with festivals, it may be a brilliant idea to head to Mandawa during the festivals of Holi, Diwali or Gangaur. The festivals of Holi falls in March, Gangaur in mid April and Diwali is celebrated in October. Each of these is celebrated with great fervor and zest. The best Hotels in Mandawa vie for attention and make the best possible arrangements to bring you the essence of each of these festivals. Be it the indispensable sweets related to each of these festivals or the typical culinary gastronomical delights associated with them or the traditional attire and folk music and dances that make them stand out, the visitor gets to experience it all.
Hotel Mandawa Haveli is one of the best hotels in this region having a history of its own. The hotel provides you the experience of both the traditional as well as the modern amenities blended into one. A Marwari Jeweler had built this haveli for his family in the 18th century. This was purchased by Mr. Dinesh Dhabhai in 1984. Initially the family operated a handicrafts shop from here but gradually converted it into a heritage haveli. Having started with just one room, today the Hotel has 20 well appointed rooms. Each of the rooms have unique traditional names including Gopika, Kanha, Mormukut, Gwala, Nagesh etc. The hotel has three dine in restaurants with different gastronomical delights and cuisines to choose from. The hotel keeps its promise of providing you a lifetime experience to relish throughout your life.
Whether you choose to cycle your way though the town or take a trot on a horseback or drive by the lanes in a vintage car or explore on a camel back, you can have it all here. On a conference or business, on a vacation with family or a wedding, one thing a visit to Mandawa guarantees is … a host of memories to last a lifetime!!
