Castle Mandawa – A jewel in Rajasthan

India is blessed with beautiful heritage properties that speak volumes about the culture and traditions of the Royalties that are predominant even today. The Royals of today are carrying on the tradition of their ancestors elegantly and with full responsibility. I was elated to meet one of the Royals at The Royal fables event. 
 
 
A heritage resort in Mandawa called Castle Mandawa is one such place that is the perfect amalgamation of hospitality and Royalty.
 
 
The Mandawa Castle  is a fantastic confluence of Mandawa history and modern luxury. The Castle is run by Geetanjali Shah and her father Mr. Kesari Singh.
 
 

How to reach there

 

Mandawa is well connected to the rest of India by road. Regular bus services ply to and fro the city of Mandawa; buses being operated both by private and government owners, such as the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation. There is no direct flight or rail connectivity, however, to Mandawa. Approximately 180 km away is the Jaipur International airport, which is the nearest airport that connects Mandawa to the rest of India.

 
As we parked the car, we noticed the impressive stone fortifications
that echo the beauty of the Shekhawatis.
 
The ramparts of the castle look quite impressive. The restoration work is commendable which highlights the original structure with a dash of luxury.
 
The walls, huge doors, stairways, lounge area, dining and rooms are refurbished yet maintain the Shekhawati tradition. The huge gate at the entrance transcends you to the Luxury life of the Royals.
 
The extraordinary entrance leads to the reception and a lounge that is decorated with heritage paintings and decorative items that reflect the Rajasthan culture. However, I was more fascinated by the culture of the Shekhavati.

Shekhawati culture 

Shekhawati is a semi-arid region situated in northeast part of Rajasthan, India. Founded by Rao Shekhaji, (who gave the region and his dynasty his name,) was among the most prosperous centre in India during its time. Mandawa, has since been the capital and the center point of the Shekhawati region.
 
 

Mandawa was an important halt in the silk route, as it was the trading outpost for the ancient caravan routes that stopped here from China and the Middle East. 

The Rajput ruler of Mandawa, Thakur Nawal Singh, built the castle in 1755 to protect this outpost. The township of Mandawa grew around this castle and attracted a large community of traders who settled here.
 
In the 18th century, prosperous merchant families whose trade activities in the region generated substantial wealth built lavish, palatial mansions (Havelis) as a display of their success. Today, it is these ancient and lavishly constructed Havelis and courtyards that attract visitors and tourist from across the globe. The walls and facades of these havelis are decorated with colorful depiction of the region’s folk tales, culture, and history, social & religious themes. At times the frescos also find a clear cut western (European) influence.


The Luxury Suite
 
 
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. We got the keys to our suite and were
ushered towards the room. The room that was provided to us was luxury personified.

A few steps down we found our personal luxury haven, where two gigantic beds were placed. A separate seating area was also built with traditional cushions on them. I loved the
jhula in the room. It added charm and vibrancy to the suite.
 
There is luxury thrown in at every corner. The facilities of tea coffee maker, mini bar, and wardrobe with safe are all built in to add to the comfort to the guests. The washroom has a beautiful sit out area where one can enjoy the star lit sky.
 
The Bar
 
We had a few drinks at the bar that was well connected to the reception. The bar has a very majestic feel to it with the huge pictures of Maharajas on the walls. The subtle hues on the walls compliment the intricate art work and royal splendor that is well maintained by the staff.
 
The Swimming pool
 
 
 
The walk towards the pool was an enjoyable one as we crossed the well manicured garden. The crisp air refreshed me. I was mesmerized by the clear sky devoid of pollution.
 
 
City Tour
 
When the weather became friendly, we moved out for some sightseeing. The havelis and forts of the Shekhawati culture weave an intricate story through their restored paintings.
 
 
While some havelis are kept untouched and dusty, few of them are taken over by hotels and managed by them. We got to devour some sweet treats while walking down the lanes. The pedas are absolutely worth tying as they are very soft. We also got to see some fine paintings made by skilled craftsmen and artists.
 
The evening tea was planned with Mr. Kesari Singh, who is a very warm and humble man. His devotion towards maintaining the Castle is spectacular and is reflected by the smiles on the guests.

Desert Resort Mandawa

 
 
 
Made with mud, each area of the resort is well planned and thematically decorated.The rooms are simple and yet portray the luxe factor. Desert Resort Mandawa is usually booked for wedding destinations and conferences owing to its huge area and buffet spread. The food at the resort is very scrumptious and devoid of any spices or added flavor.  The varieties
in chicken and meat are commendable.
 
Mostly there are musical performances during winters where people from different cities come and acquaint themselves with the magic of Mandawa.
 
Besides being open to people for weddings, Castle Mandawa has given space for outdoor shoots to movies and TV shows. Mostly foreign tourists visit the place in groups and go back with satisfaction on their faces.
 
The next morning was a lazy one. We woke up late and moved towards the dining hall for breakfast. We had to check out that day.  But before leaving, I
wanted to re-visit the entire castle and take pleasant memories.
 
Overall, my experience at Castle Mandawa was a very satisfactory one. This is a place where people from Delhi can easily drive down or even take a train. The journey is worth it when you reach the destination.

Address

Mandawa Road, Main Market, Shekhawati, Jhunjhunu District,
Mandawa, Rajasthan 333704
Phone: 01592 223 124
 
 
 
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