|
Welcome To Castel Mandawa 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! HISTORY If the desert blooms in myriad colors it is in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, where every home is adorned with gaily painted murals that illuminate the arid landscape. Traditionally, this was the stronghold of Rao Shekhaji, who founded a dynasty here and gave it his name. Mandawa, a remote feudal principality in the centre of the Shekhawati region, was a 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 a fort in 1755 to protect this outpost. The township that grew around the fort soon attracted a large community of traders, who settled here. When the caravan traffic ceased in the late 18th century, the traders created business empires in other parts of the country, but returned to Mandawa to build palatial mansions in their hometown. Location Jaipur To Mandawa 168Km Delhi To Mandawa 240 Km Bikaner To Mandawa 190 Km SIGHTSEEING From the Castle you can take a walking tour of the painted Havelis of some of the leading business families of the country. Some of the better known Havelis of Mandawa are:
It is also possible to visit the neighboring towns of Nawalgarh, Mukundgarh, Dunlod, Fatehpur, Ramgarh, Laxmangarh, Churu, Jhunjhunu and Baggar. There is the Blackbuck sanctuary at Talchapar as well as religious excursions to Salaser Balaji, Jeen Mata and Lohagal.
Accomodation 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. Little wonder then that the family crest contains the motto, Veer Bhogya Vasundhara - The brave shall inherit the earth   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 
 Special Support Facilities Conference co-coordinator and Audio-visual equipment available on hire ROYAL WEDDINGS The Mandawa Group of Hotels has four hotels. Three hotels at Mandawa: Castle Mandawa, The Desert Resort & Jai Niwas Resort, one hotel at Jaipur: Mandawa Haveli. There are a total of 135 rooms at Mandawa and 40 rooms at Jaipur. The Mandawa Group of hotels offers the luxury of royal weddings with all the requisite infrastructure and amenities.
VENUES
* The facilities include customized weddings in Rajasthani and Punjabi themes. FACILITIES 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.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
