Mandawa Fort, Shekhawati

The city of Mandawa is lined with old forts, some of them dating back to a hundred years. The Mandawa Fort is one the most famous forts in Mandawa. It is located in the midst of Aravalli Hills in Rajasthan.
The fort of Mandawa was founded in the 18th century. Thakur Nawal Singh founded the fort in 1812. The fort is a symbol of the town’s royal heritage. It is one of the best specimens of Rajasthan art and architecture. Beautiful frescoes depicting Lord Krishna with his cows adorn the walls of this enchanting establishment. The Palace’s Durbar Hall houses a number of antiques and paintings. Exquisite mirror work enhances its striking beauty. In recent times, it has also been converted into a heritage hotel by the royalty of Mandawa. You can choose to stay here during your trip to the heritage town and live the life of Rajasthan royalty for a few days. A trip to the Mandawa Fort is sure to remain an unforgettable experience.

The beautiful wall paintings that decorate the havelis of Mandawa in Rajasthan, India, have seen the themes changing from time to time. In the earlier days, mythology dominated the themes of the frescoes, displaying local legends, animals, portraits, hunting and wrestling scenes, etc. 19th century saw the themes being changed to reflect the British (Raj) influence on the Indian culture. The traditional subjects were exchanged for cars, trains, balloons, telephones, gramophones, English men in hunting attires and portraits of the haveli owners immaculately dressed, etc.

Mandawa allures its visitors with its historical monuments and vibrant culture. Mandawa fort, an ancient structure, is a reason to visit Mandawa. Thakur Nawal Singh built it in 1755 and the fort stands out due to its ornate gateway, frescoes and painting. The arched gateway has images of Lord Krishna and his cows painted beautifully. Even the rooms are decorated with Lord Krishna’s paintings, mirror-work and engravings. The fort has turned into a heritage hotel now and is located in the middle Mandawa.
Culture Of Mandawa -While most religious festivals are celebrated with much enthusiasm, the two most popular festivals that really stand out in Mandawa are the Camel Festival and the Gangaur Festival. The Camel Festival, organised in January, begins with a parade of camels from the Junagadh Fort.