Things to do in Mandawa the painted havelis, the 18th-century fort, Shekhawati frescoes and a quiet desert night. The Hii Stories guide to Rajasthan’s open-air art gallery.
Things to Do in Mandawa: Our Local Guide to Rajasthan's Open-Air Art Gallery
At Hii Stories, Mandawa is one of our favourite places to send travellers who think they’ve already seen Rajasthan. Most people race between Jaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer and never turn north into Shekhawati and they miss what’s often called the open-air art gallery of Rajasthan. This little merchant town is wall-to-wall with painted havelis, anchored by an 18th-century fort, and wrapped in quiet desert country that turns magical after dark.
Here are the things to do in Mandawa as we recommend them to our own travellers, with the honest detail that makes a visit worthwhile.
Mandawa Fort: the heart of the town
Start at Mandawa Fort, built in 1755 by Thakur Nawal Singh and now the town’s most famous landmark. Its painted arched gateway is adorned with frescoes of Lord Krishna, and inside you’ll find carved interiors, mirror work and a Durbar Hall full of antiques and paintings. The fort has
been converted into a heritage hotel, so even if you’re not staying, its exteriors and gateways anchor the whole town and give you the grandest single view of Mandawa’s royal past.
The painted havelis: walking through an open-air gallery
The real reason to come is the havelis the lavish merchant mansions whose walls are covered, inside and out, with frescoes painted in the 18th and 19th centuries. Walking the lanes here is like scrolling through centuries-old, hand-painted storytelling. A few we always point travellers
toward:
The Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli, with extraordinarily detailed paintings of gods, animals and European figures. The Goenka Double Haveli, with its monumental façade of elephants and horses. The quieter Jhunjhunwala Haveli, where you can appreciate the art without crowds. And the remarkable Murmuria Haveli, painted in the 1930s with trains, cars, King George V and even a view of Venice a surprising window onto how these merchants saw a changing world.
An honest note we always give: many frescoes are fading, and what you see today may not last many more years, which makes a visit feel quietly precious. Some havelis are privately owned, so always ask before entering, and early morning or late afternoon gives the best light and fewest people.
Why Mandawa is a Bollywood favourite
You may find Mandawa feels strangely familiar, and there’s a reason. The town and its havelis have become one of India’s most popular film-shoot locations scenes from PK, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Mirzya and many others were shot here. Don’t be surprised to stumble on a crew at work; it’s part of the town’s living character.
Shopping and the Mandawa market
For shopping in Mandawa, the colourful bazaars in the main market are the place to wander. Stalls sell traditional Rajasthani handicrafts, tie-dye and block-print textiles, leather goods and jewellery. Even when you’re not buying, the conversations with local artisans are worthwhile,
and Mandawa’s fresco painting tradition makes it a genuinely special place to pick up handmade art exactly the kind of craft connection we love building into our journeys.
Desert night Mandawa: the quiet after dark
Here’s where we’ll be straight with you, because many guides aren’t: Mandawa is not a nightlife town. It’s a small, peaceful heritage place that largely winds down after dinner. What it offers instead is a desert night Mandawa experience that’s all its own the havelis and fort softly lit,
the lanes gone quiet, and, on the town’s edge, the dry Shekhawati countryside opening into starry desert skies.
The loveliest way to spend the evening is a heritage-haveli or fort-hotel stay, where dinner often comes with Rajasthani folk music, a kathputli (puppet) show or a courtyard lit by lamps. Step just outside the town and the desert night is calm and clear, ideal for stargazing. It’s a slow, atmospheric close to a day of art and for travellers willing to stay the night rather than rush
through, it’s the part that lingers.
Nearby Shekhawati: more open-air galleries
If you have time, Mandawa is the gateway to the wider Shekhawati frescoes. Nawalgarh (about 30 km) has some of the best-preserved havelis and the excellent Podar Haveli Museum; Dundlod (20 km) has its own fort and Marwari-horse heritage; and Fatehpur, Ramgarh and Mahansar each add more painted mansions and cenotaphs. A day spent hopping between these towns is a genuine treat for anyone who loves art and history.
How long do you need, and when to go
Mandawa is small, and one to two days is ideal enough to take in the fort, the main havelis and the market at a relaxed pace, with a night to soak up the atmosphere. We always recommend October to March, when the desert weather is pleasant; summers here are harsh. If your dates allow, the Shekhawati Festival in March and Holi celebrations are wonderful times to visit.
Because Mandawa sits on the route between Delhi/Jaipur and Bikaner, we often build it in as a heritage stop on a wider desert loop rather than a standalone trip. See how it fits onto a Golden Triangle with Rajasthan tour, or talk to us to design your own itinerary that includes
Shekhawati.
Why we suggest adding Mandawa to your journey
We’ll be honest about something: most operators skip Mandawa because it isn’t on the headline tourist line. We include it on purpose, because for the right traveller it’s one of the most rewarding places in all of Rajasthan.
If you care about art and history really care there is nowhere quite like it. Jaipur and Udaipur show you the grandeur of royal Rajasthan; Mandawa shows you the wealth and worldliness of its merchant class, painted straight onto the walls of their homes. That a small desert town holds frescoes of Venice, steam trains and British royalty alongside Krishna and Rajasthani folk scenes tells you something about India you won’t learn at the big-ticket sights. And because it’s uncommercialised, you experience it quietly, often with the lanes almost to yourself.
What we care about is doing it well. Mandawa rewards local knowledge more than almost
anywhere: which havelis are open and which need permission, the stories behind the frescoes, which heritage stay is genuinely characterful, where the night sky is darkest. A good local guide turns a simple walk into a storytelling session and that’s the difference between glancing at a painted wall and understanding what you’re looking at. That’s the Mandawa we love to share.
If a slower, art-rich kind of travel appeals to you, we’d be glad to help add Mandawa to a Rajasthan tour or design your own itinerary built around the places that matter most to you.
Final thought
Mandawa asks you to slow down and look up at painted balconies, fading frescoes and a desert sky thick with stars. It’s Rajasthan with the volume turned down and the artistry turned all the way up. Most visitors never make the turn north into Shekhawati. When you’re ready, we’ll help you discover the part of Rajasthan that most people drive straight past.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Mandawa?
The essentials are exploring Mandawa Fort, walking the lanes of painted havelis (Goenka, Jhunjhunwala and Murmuria among the finest), browsing the market for handicrafts and textiles,
spotting film-shoot locations, and enjoying a heritage-haveli stay with a folk-music or puppet evening. With extra time, day-trip to the Shekhawati towns of Nawalgarh and Dundlod for even more frescoes.
What is Mandawa Fort?
Mandawa Fort is the town’s 18th-century centrepiece, built in 1755 by Thakur Nawal Singh. Its painted archway is decorated with frescoes of Lord Krishna, and inside are carved interiors, mirror work and a Durbar Hall of antiques. It has been converted into a heritage hotel, so you can stay there or admire its grand exteriors and gateways from the town.
What are the best places to visit in Mandawa?
Top of the list are Mandawa Fort and the painted havelis Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli, Goenka Double Haveli, Jhunjhunwala Haveli and Murmuria Haveli. Add the colourful main-market bazaar, the local temples, and nearby Shekhawati towns like Nawalgarh, Dundlod and Fatehpur for more havelis and frescoes.
What is Mandawa’s famous food?
Mandawa serves classic Rajasthani cuisine. Don’t miss dal baati churma (baked wheat balls with lentils and a sweet crumble), laal maas (a fiery mutton curry), gatte ki sabzi, ker sangri and Rajasthani kadhi, rounded off with sweets like ghevar and malpua. Many heritage haveli hotels serve traditional thalis, often with folk music in the courtyard.
Is Mandawa worth visiting?
Very much so, especially if you love art, history and places that feel authentic rather than
commercialised. Mandawa’s painted havelis are unique in India, the fort is impressive, and the town has a quiet, poetic charm. It’s best for travellers who appreciate heritage and atmosphere over nightlife or resorts and for them, it’s one of Rajasthan’s most rewarding stops.
Where is the best shopping in Mandawa?
The main-market bazaar is the heart of shopping in Mandawa, with stalls of Rajasthani handicrafts, tie-dye and block-print textiles, leather goods, jewellery and local art. It’s a relaxed,
conversational kind of shopping, and Mandawa’s fresco-painting heritage makes handmade art a especially meaningful souvenir here.
What is the Mandawa market like?
Mandawa’s market is small, colourful and atmospheric, set among the painted havelis in the centre of town. Expect handicrafts, textiles, traditional jewellery and souvenirs, alongside everyday local life it’s lively without being overwhelming, and pleasant to wander in the cooler morning or evening hours.
What are the best hotels in Mandawa?
Mandawa is famous for its heritage stays restored havelis and the fort itself converted into characterful hotels. Mandawa Fort (Castle Mandawa) is the best-known, while restored haveli hotels like The Legacy Mandawa and Vivaana Culture Hotel offer atmospheric frescoed courtyards. There’s a range from luxury heritage properties to simpler guesthouses; we always match travellers to a stay that fits their trip.
What is Mandawa famous for?
Mandawa is famous for being the “open-air art gallery” of Rajasthan its richly painted havelis and Shekhawati fresco art, built by wealthy 18th- and 19th-century merchants. It’s also known for its 18th-century fort, now a heritage hotel, and as one of India’s most popular Bollywood film-shoot locations.
What is the best time to visit Mandawa?
October to March is the best time, when the desert weather is pleasant for walking the lanes and exploring the havelis. Summers (April to June) are very hot. For something special, time your visit with the Shekhawati Festival in March or the colourful Holi celebrations, both wonderful in this region.
Which movie was shot in Mandawa?
Mandawa is one of Bollywood’s favourite locations. Films shot here include PK, Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Mirzya, among many others the painted havelis and fort make a striking backdrop, and it’s common to find film crews working in the town.
What makes a Mandawa haveli unique?
Mandawa’s havelis are unique for their frescoes walls painted inside and out by merchant
families to display their wealth. What sets them apart is the astonishing range of subjects: alongside Hindu mythology and Rajasthani folk scenes, you’ll find steam trains, cars, European figures, King George V and even a painted view of Venice, reflecting how these worldly traders saw a rapidly changing world. The Murmuria Haveli, painted in the 1930s, is a famous example.
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Recommended Tours to Enhance Your Mandawa Experience
Mandawa is a hidden gem of Rajasthan, known for its grand havelis, beautiful frescoes, and rich Shekhawati heritage. We recommend these carefully selected tours to help you explore historic mansions, local art, traditional villages, and the unique charm of the region. These experiences reveal the stories and craftsmanship that make Mandawa truly unforgettable.
6 Days Golden Triangle Tour with Mandawa — Explore Delhi, Agra, Jaipur & Mandawa with heritage sites, forts, Taj Mahal,...
Mandawa Shekhawati Overnight Trip from Jaipur. Explore Mandawa’s painted havelis, open-air art, local culture, and stay overnight in heritage.
Mandawa Shekhawati Day Trip from Jaipur takes you through fresco-painted havelis, Mandawa Fort, and the cultural charm of Rajasthan.
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