Hotel Mandawa Castle
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!
Explore Castle Mandawa at your own pace. Spend a leisurely hour over a drink
in the colonial verandah that accommodates the bar, or relax in the cosy
comfort of the Diwankhana, the formal drawing room decorated with family
portraits and an array of antique armour.
History
If the desert blooms in myriad colours 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.
Rooms
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.
Hotel Mandawa Castle Reservation Form
