Landmarks in Mandawa
- 01
Chokhani Double Haveli
Two identical, co-joined havelis built for two brothers, with big courtyards and a caretaker-led tour of the larger house.
- Time needed
- 30-45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning; November to February
- Tickets
- A small fee is paid to the caretaker for a guided look at the larger haveli, according to visitor accounts. Confirm current arrangements on arrival.
- 02
Goenka Double Haveli
Two mirrored merchant mansions joined as one, with elephant and horse processions at the entrance and Ramayana and Mahabharata scenes across the walls.
- Time needed
- 45-60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, when the courtyard is shaded and quiet; November to February
- Tickets
- Entry is ticketed, and one report says the fee also covers the nearby Murmuria and Seth Dayaram Dedraj Goenka havelis. Check what your ticket includes and current hours on site.
- 03
Jhunjhunwala Haveli
A 19th-century merchant haveli famous for its Golden Room, where scenes of Krishna and the gods are painted in a dominant gold tone.
- Time needed
- 30-45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning; November to February
- Tickets
- A small entry fee is collected by the caretaker, according to visitor accounts. Check on the day what is open and whether photography carries a charge.
- 04
Murmuria Haveli
A 20th-century haveli known for paintings of modern subjects: a freedom-movement gallery, a European-style frontage and murals that show how fast the world was changing.
- Time needed
- 30-45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning light; November to February
- Tickets
- A ticket or a caretaker's fee usually applies; one report says the Goenka Double Haveli ticket also covers this haveli. Confirm at the gate.
Forts in Mandawa
- 05
Castle Mandawa
The 18th-century fort that gave Mandawa its start, now run as a heritage hotel with a painted gateway and turreted bastions at the town's centre.
- Time needed
- 30-60 minutes for a look and a drink; a night if you stay
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Late afternoon for the light on the bastions; November to February for comfortable weather
- Tickets
- This is a working hotel, so access for non-guests is at the management's discretion; call ahead to ask about a visit, a meal or a tour. Photography rules inside private areas are set by the hotel.
- 06
Churu Fort
A small fort in the middle of Churu town, on the northern edge of the Shekhawati circuit, remembered for a legendary defence against Bikaner in which silver cannon shots are said to have been fired. It is a modest stop, best for history-minded travellers.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- October to March; mornings
- Tickets
- Entry arrangements and any fee are not published clearly. Ask in Churu or at your hotel whether the fort can be entered and whether any part is open to visitors on the day.
- 07
Dundlod Fort
A small 18th-century fort-castle in Dundlod, a Shekhawati town a short drive from Nawalgarh and Mandawa, still lived in by the family and run as a heritage hotel. Its interiors and the town's cenotaphs make a calm half-day.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours, plus time for the town's cenotaphs
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- October to March; mornings and late afternoons are the most comfortable
- Tickets
- The fort is a family home and heritage hotel, so there is no published public ticket. Visits, tours of the Durbar Hall and meals depend on the management, so phone ahead and confirm what is on offer.
Museums in Mandawa
- 08
Dr. Ramnath A. Podar Haveli Museum, Nawalgarh
A restored 1902 haveli in Nawalgarh, turned into a museum of Rajasthani culture, with hundreds of frescoes and galleries around two courtyards. A good day trip from Mandawa.
- Time needed
- 1-1.5 hours, plus the drive
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning; November to mid-March
- Tickets
- Entry is ticketed; check current prices, timings and any camera fee on arrival. Drive time from Mandawa is under an hour; ask your driver to confirm.
Read the Dr. Ramnath A. Podar Haveli Museum, Nawalgarh guide →
Places of worship in Mandawa
- 09
Khemka Shani Temple, Ramgarh
A small mid-19th-century temple in Ramgarh with mirror work and frescoes inside. A quick stop beside the chhatris.
- Time needed
- 15-30 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning; Saturday is the day devotees of Shani visit in larger numbers
- Tickets
- Entry to the temple is normally free; remove shoes, dress modestly and ask before photographing inside. Check visiting hours locally.
Culture in Mandawa
- 10
Nadine Le Prince Haveli, Fatehpur
A Fatehpur merchant haveli restored by French artist Nadine Le Prince and run as a cultural centre, with fresco restoration and contemporary art. A day-trip stop from Mandawa.
- Time needed
- 1-1.5 hours, plus the drive
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning; November to February
- Tickets
- Ticketed; a visitor account called the fee hefty, another listing quotes about 250 rupees with a guided tour, so check the current fee and timings before you go.
Day trips in Mandawa
- 11
Ram Gopal Poddar Chhatri, Ramgarh
A late-19th-century cluster of cenotaphs in Ramgarh, painted inside with Krishna's Raas Lila and the Ramayana. A day trip from Mandawa.
- Time needed
- 45-60 minutes, plus the drive
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning; November to February
- Tickets
- Check current entry arrangements locally. Dress modestly because the cenotaphs are memorials, and ask before photographing inside.
