Mandawa, established in the 18th century, is a nice town in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan with some of the most excellent havelis and forts.
Havelis in Mandawa
The terrace of Castle Mandawa (Mandawa Fort) holds a breathtaking view of town and the semi-arid plains beyond. Through the Havelis of the Chokhani, Goenkas and the Saraf are extravagantly painted, one of the oldest frescoes is within the fort itself.
Chokhani Haveli in Mandawa
The Gulab Rai Haveli has some of the best murals in Shekhawati on both the exterior and interior walls. The Binsidhar Newatia Haveli, next to the State Bank of Bikaner, has interesting paintings of people using 20th century inventions.
Chokhani Haveli in Mandawa
One of the best-maintained havelis in all of Shekhawati, the Chokhani Haveli in Mandawa, is a huge mansion divided into two parts. One part is occupied; the other lies vacant but is open to visitors.
Covered with Intricate and Beautiful Frescoes
The inside walls, arches, balconies, and jharokhas (windows) of the haveli are covered with intricate and beautiful frescoes. The predominant colors that rule the show are golden, yellow, blue, maroon, green, etc.
Like all havelis, the Chokhani Haveli opens into a courtyard surrounded by verandahs that lead a bigger courtyard. This courtyard served as the inner quarters, the area where the women stayed and moved about freely.
The bigger second courtyard at Chokhani Haveli in Mandawa was the center of much of the household activities.
