Today, the world comes to this storybook town to see its colourful frescoes on every subject under the sun, that is, ranging from the religious to the erotic; from copies of popular English prints to witty social satire, rendered in the inimitable style of the local artist. And perhaps the best place to discover the legacy of Shekhawati is from the comfort of Castle Mandawa, a fortress, now converted into a luxurious heritage hotel.

Like many historic homes, Castle Mandawa is a curious mixture of the old and the new. Medieval turreted towers, palanquin-roofed balconies, blend with modern comforts in old-world rooms. Family portraits, antique cannons and arms add to the charm of this family-run resort where tradition still runs strong. Even time is measured by a different clock... a huge brass gong struck by the resident timekeepers at the fort every hour!

Explore Castle Mandawa at your own pace. Spend a leisurely hour over a drink in the colonial verandah that accommodates the bar, or relax in the cosy comfort of the Diwankhana, the formal drawing room decorated with family portraits and an array of antique armour.

By Road:
Jaipur-Mandawa-------- 168 km
Delhi-Mandawa-------240 km
Bikaner-Mandawa-------190 km

Nearest Airport:
Jaipur------168 km
Delhi-------240 km

There are 70 rooms, a verandah bar, conference facilities and an ayurvedic centre. The hotel also organizes camel and horse rides, jeep safaris, gala dinners, puppet shows and folk dances, traditional welcome with tilak and garlands, theme weddings, turret dinners and a heritage walk of Mandawa.

Room
The large and airy rooms of the Castle have been converted into charming, well appointed accommodation, retaining the old flavour using period furniture and local furnishings. No two rooms are alike (there are 70 of them -- Royal Suites, Luxury Suites, Deluxe Rooms, Standard Rooms) and yet each of them display the grandeur and the taste of the rulers of the past. A rare blend of modern comfort in medieval surroundings!

Part of the excitement of staying at Mandawa is a sense of discovery at every turn. Battlements that offer spectacular views of the town below, a whimsical peacock weathervane, an arched window that overlooks the verdant garden visited by peacocks. In the zenana or women's quarters, one room offers antique murals, another has a marble fountain, while the turret room boasts of walls that are 7 feet thick! Looking out from the windows of the turret room it is easy to imagine the marauding bandits that once roamed freely here.

Restaurant
At Mandawa, simple pleasures leave a listing impression... whether it is a quiet breakfast on a terrace offering great views of distant temples and cenotaphs, a leisurely lunch in the mural-painted dining room, sundowners sipped in the congenial setting of the verandah bar, or an alfresco dinner under the stars, entertained by Rajasthani folk singers and dancers. Every meal becomes a memorable occasion.

One of the highlights of the stay at Castle Mandawa is the royal repast. A candle lit dinner on the lawns, or around a bonfire in the rear courtyard, is climaxed by the performance of a fire dancer who sways to the hypnotic beat of traditional drums.