Mandawa (Shekhawati Havelis)

Mandawa · Shekhawati

An open-air gallery of painted merchant mansions — the finest town in Shekhawati, the 'world's largest open-air art gallery'.

Timings

Town open all day; individual havelis vary

Entry

Some havelis charge a small fee

Best time

Morning or late afternoon light on the frescoes

Time needed

Half day

The Shekhawati region is often called the world's largest open-air art gallery, and the town of Mandawa is its jewel. In the 18th and 19th centuries, wealthy Marwari merchants built grand havelis here and covered them, inside and out, with vivid frescoes — and many still survive.

Wandering Mandawa's streets, you pass mansion after mansion painted with scenes of gods and legends, royal processions, and — charmingly — the new inventions of the age, from trains to gramophones to early cars, as imagined by artists who had often never seen them. It's a uniquely delightful place to explore on foot.

Don't miss

›The elaborately frescoed façades and courtyards of the havelis.
›The quirky paintings of trains, cars and European scenes.
›Staying overnight in a heritage haveli hotel.

Good to know

Some havelis are private homes or hotels; others charge a small entry fee — a local guide helps you find the best. Mandawa makes a great stop between Delhi/Jaipur and Bikaner.