The
town of Mandawa was founded and inhabited by Shekhawati Rajput in the
18th century. Mandawa is situated in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan
and is popularly known as the open art gallery of Rajasthan due to
magnificent murals and frescoes from mythology, legendary tales and
contemporary lifestyle which adorn the havelis of this town. The town of
Mandawa was the place of habitat for the rich merchant community of
Rajasthan the Marwaris who got these exquisite havelis built in Mandawa.
Apart from the havelis the market town of Mandawa is renowned for the
Mandawa castle and a number of baolis or huge water reservoirs. The historic town of Mandawa served as a trading outpost for the caravans coming from Middle East and China. It was in 1755 that the Rajput ruler Thakur Nawal Singh got the Mandawa fort and ramparts around the city constructed for the safety of the trading outpost. The fort towers over the Mandawa city with a painted arched gateway adorned by the painting of Lord Krishna and his cows. The huge open terraces of the town give a panoramic view of the whole town. The entire fort is adorned by beautiful paintings of Lord Krishna, mirror work and intricate carvings. A large number of antiques and paintings are also on display in the Durbar hall of the castle. The Mandawa castle is now converted into a heritage hotel.
The town of Mandawa is most renowned for the beautiful havelis it houses. Built in the Jaipur style of architecture there are pleasant courtyards, gardens and balconies with a splendid view of the Mandawa fort which one gets from the Mandawa havelis. Displaying the skillful craftsmanship of Rajput artisans is the Goenka Double haveli. The haveli is adorned by life-sized portraits of the royal men, traditional Rajasthani women and religious motifs. The Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli has religiously inspired frescoes like Lord Shiva on Nandi and Lord Indra on his elephant. The Jhunjhunwala haveli is famous for its intricately carved and painted ceiling and the golden leaf painted walls. Carved archways, latticed windows and intricate designs are found in Murmuria haveli as well. Besides traditional frescoes and murals the Murmuria haveli has modern paintings also like the one depicting Jawaharlal Nehru with the National Flag on a horseback. Mohanlal Saraf Haveli, Chowkhani Haveli, Bhagchandika Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli and Lakshmi Narayan Ladia Haveli and the Newtia Haveli are some of the other majestic havelis of Mandawa.