Rajasthan · North Rajasthan
Shekhawati and Mandawa
An open-air gallery of painted merchant mansions, a few hours from Jaipur and Delhi
- Best time
- October to March
- Ideal stay
- 1 to 2 nights
- Nearest airport
- Jaipur (about 165 to 175 km) or Delhi (about 260 km)
- Railway
- Jhunjhunu, Nawalgarh and Sikar stations, with trains from Delhi and Jaipur
- From Jaipur
- About 165 to 175 km to Mandawa. 3.5 to 4 hours by road
- Known for
- Painted havelis, Mandawa Castle, Nawalgarh's Poddar Haveli Museum
Shekhawati and Mandawa at a glance
Shekhawati covers the districts of Jhunjhunu, Sikar and Churu in northern Rajasthan. In the 18th and 19th centuries, merchant families here grew rich on trade and built large havelis, then covered the walls with frescoes of gods, animals, battles and, later, trains and cars. The towns are now known as the 'open-air art gallery of Rajasthan'.
Many havelis are still lived in, some are museums, and others are locked and slowly decaying. The best-known towns are Mandawa, Nawalgarh, Fatehpur, Mahansar and Jhunjhunu. Distances between them are short, but the roads are slower than main highways.
It is an easy add-on between Delhi and Jaipur, or between Jaipur and Bikaner. Most visitors stay one or two nights.
Best time to visit Shekhawati and Mandawa
October to March is the season. Summers are hot and dry, and the monsoon is short.
| Months | Weather | What it means for a trip |
|---|---|---|
| Oct – Feb | Pleasant days of 18 to 28°C, cold nights | Best for walking through the towns. Lighting is good in the morning. |
| Mar | Warm | Still fine for morning walks. |
| Apr – Jun | Very hot, 40 to 45°C | Not recommended. |
| Jul – Sep | Hot with some rain | Quiet and inexpensive. |
How to reach Shekhawati and Mandawa
- By air
- Jaipur airport (about 165 to 175 km from Mandawa) is the closest with regular flights. Delhi airport (about 260 km) is also used.
- By train
- Jhunjhunu, Nawalgarh and Sikar have railway stations with trains from Delhi and Jaipur, although schedules are limited. Most visitors come by road.
- By road
- Jaipur is about 165 to 175 km from Mandawa, Delhi about 260 km, Bikaner about 190 km and Pilani about 60 km. A private car with driver is the easiest way to see several towns in a day.
Things to do in Shekhawati and Mandawa
1.Mandawa
The most visited town, with a fort now run as a hotel and many painted havelis along its lanes. Streets around the fort and the market hold the best examples, including the Jhunjhunwala and Newatia havelis.
Time needed: 2 to 3 hours
2.Nawalgarh
A town with several well-kept havelis. The Dr Ramnath A Podar Haveli Museum has restored frescoes and displays on Rajasthani life, and the Morarka Haveli shows wall paintings in good condition.
Time needed: 2 to 3 hours
3.Fatehpur
A quieter town with several old havelis, including the Haveli Nadine Le Prince, restored by a French artist and open to visitors.
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
4.Mahansar
A small town known for the Sone-Chandi ki Dukan haveli, dated 1846, whose ceilings show scenes from Hindu epics with gold leaf.
Time needed: 1 hour
5.Jhunjhunu
A larger town with the Khetri Mahal, a palace with views, and the Rani Sati Temple, a major pilgrimage site.
Time needed: 2 hours
6.Village and camel-cart tours
Some hotels offer village walks, camel-cart rides and craft demonstrations.
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
Sample itineraries for Shekhawati and Mandawa
One night between Jaipur and Bikaner
- Morning: Leave Jaipur, stop at Nawalgarh for haveli museums.
- Afternoon: Mandawa, walk through the lanes, check in at a haveli hotel.
- Evening: Sunset at the fort and dinner at the hotel.
- Next morning: Fatehpur or Mahansar, then continue to Bikaner.
Two nights
- Day 1: Nawalgarh and Mandawa.
- Day 2: Fatehpur, Mahansar and Jhunjhunu.
Where to stay in Shekhawati and Mandawa
- Mandawa
- Haveli hotels and the castle hotel, all in or near the old town.
- Nawalgarh
- Heritage homes and small hotels, popular with people who want to visit havelis in the town.
- Other towns
- Basic hotels in Jhunjhunu and Fatehpur; fine for a night but limited.
What to eat and buy in Shekhawati and Mandawa
- Lahsun ki kachori and dal baati
- Garlic-filled fried kachoris are a local speciality, alongside dal baati churma.
- Puppets, textiles and paintings
- Small shops sell miniature paintings, puppets, wooden toys and textiles. Check quality before buying.
Day trips and stops near Shekhawati and Mandawa
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Jaipur | About 165 to 175 km | The capital; see the separate guide. |
| Bikaner | About 190 km | Junagarh Fort; see the separate guide. |
| Khatu Shyamji | About 90 km | A major Krishna pilgrimage site. |
| Salasar Balaji | About 100 km | A Hanuman pilgrimage site. |
| Pilani | About 60 km | A university town. |
What Shekhawati and Mandawa costs
| Budget hotel (per room, per night) | About ₹800 to ₹2,000 |
|---|---|
| Haveli hotel | About ₹3,000 to ₹8,000 |
| Castle or palace hotel | ₹7,000 and up |
| Haveli tickets | Small fees for Indian visitors, higher for foreign visitors |
| Private cab for a day of haveli visits | About ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 |
Fees, timings and prices last checked in September 2026. They change from season to season, so treat them as a guide and confirm at the ticket counter or with us when we plan your trip.
Practical tips
- Many havelis are private homes. Some caretakers will let you in for a small tip; ask politely.
- Morning light is best for photographing painted walls.
- Bring cash for small entry fees and tips.
- Wear comfortable shoes for uneven lanes.
- Some frescoes are in poor condition. Don't touch the paintings.
Shekhawati and Mandawa travel FAQs
What is Shekhawati known for?
Its painted havelis, large merchant mansions with wall paintings from the 18th to early 20th century.
How many days do you need in Shekhawati?
One night lets you see Mandawa and Nawalgarh. Two nights lets you add Fatehpur, Mahansar and Jhunjhunu.
How far is Mandawa from Jaipur and Delhi?
About 165 to 175 km from Jaipur (3.5 to 4 hours) and about 260 km from Delhi (5 to 6 hours).
Is Shekhawati worth visiting?
Yes, if you like architecture and art and want a quieter part of Rajasthan. It's a good stop between Jaipur and Bikaner.
What is the best time to visit Shekhawati?
October to March, with pleasant weather and good light.
Trips that include Shekhawati and Mandawa
Ready-made routes you can change — swap hotels, add nights or combine with another city.
Rajasthan
Grand Rajasthan — The Complete Circuit
The unhurried version — Jaipur, the holy lake at Pushkar, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and its dunes, Udaipur, and the cool hill retreat of Mount Abu, staying in palace and heritage hotels throughout.
Rajasthan
Shekhawati — Rajasthan's Open-Air Gallery
The quiet, offbeat corner north of Jaipur where merchant families covered whole towns in frescoes. Slow days among painted havelis, staying in a converted castle or two.
Let's plan your Shekhawati and Mandawa trip
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