If there's one state in India I cannot get enough of, it's Rajasthan. This time round, I checked out its famed Shekhawati region hoping to get a glimpse into the life and style of its multiple generations of haveli-dwellers. Mandawa, one of the many enchanting towns of Shekhawati is popular for its painted havelis which have very gracefully stood the test of time, one of which is the iconic Mandawa Haveli. Most of these houses are now left uninhabited as their owners have settled down in the cities but many are open for public viewing and undergoing restoration.
Mandawa Haveli - A Royal Experience
Having spent considerable time on its streets, I can say that Mandawa is not very populated. The market consists of shops selling only basic, everyday things with the exception of a few jutti vendors, and there are only a couple of decent dining options around the Mandawa fort {more on that in another post}. There were however, quite a few heritage properties to pick from and I settled for the one that best suited my fancy {and my budget}- Hotel Mandawa Haveli.
Built in the 18th century by a Marwari jeweller, the Mandawa Haveli briefly operated as a handicrafts shop in the 1980s before turning into a full fledged hotel in 1999. Currently, it has about 20 rooms and is one of the best-rated stay options in the area. It is conveniently located just a 10-minute walk away from the fort and the cluster of havelis. I stayed in a Standard AC room just above the reception area, in the exterior of the hotel which was spacious enough for the two of us. It had an attached bathroom, a small dressing room and a super narrow closed corridor with a jharoka that opened to the bustling main road. In hindsight, I might have preferred the other rooms which were a lot more airy and had more privacy as they lie behind the big front gateway and open to a beautiful courtyard in the middle.
There are two restaurants at the Mandawa Haveli. The indoor restaurant 'Rasoi' operates during the day and serves a la carte meals, with a mix of Chinese, Rajasthani and North Indian food on the menu, while the rooftop restaurant serves a nice buffet {costs around 600 per head} every night. In the evening, the hotel also hosts live folk singing and puppet shows to keep the guests entertained as the town shuts down pretty early and there isn't much to do at night. The staff is pretty helpful, the premises are clean and overall, the property is safe for female travellers.
Other good stay options in the vicinity include Vivaana Cultural Hotel, Radha ki Haveli, V Resorts Paawana Haveli and Castle Mandawa. Feel free to leave a comment, in case you need any additional info.
Tariff for Mandawa Haveli: Starts from INR 2500 per night
Website: http://www.hotelmandawahaveli.com
This post was first published on Sequins & Sangria.
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