The hustle and bustle of city life fades away as we travel three hours from Jaipur to Mandawa, a colourful village in Rajasthan’s Shekhawati district surrounded by Arawa lis and desert.Welcome to the desert resort, which is located on the right turn road from Mukundgarh marg and has a funny crossing sign to grab your attention; the only sound I hear is a local couple singing a folk song RajasthanIt was a pleasant surprise to see several horses grazing on this trail and to learn that the area is a gateway to horse trails that tourists and experienced horse riders can ride while camping.
Marwari horses, camels roaming the dunes and cows on the resort’s dairy farm are all owned by the hotel. In fact, during your visit, you can experience the thrilling yet traditional way of life in the desert by riding a horse or camel across the dunes. Also, they arrange camel car tours to see Mandawa from a different perspective. I came here to experience the best of Shekhawati culture at the invitation of Rajasthan Tourism and Times of India.
desert The resort consists entirely of clay structures adorned with fine white artwork. There are two vintage cars flanking the entrance: a lime-green Chevrolet convertible with flying lady hood trim, and a blue Plymouth. Yes, you are welcome as a hotel guest in these classic cars from the royal collection. The resort staff greeted me with cold towels as I took my attention away from the elegant vintage car. However, a refreshing Bela Sharbat helped beat the heat as the Bhils sang traditional Rajasthan songs in the background.
The songstress wore a bright crimson Ghaghra Choli with an embroidered tribute hat on her head. My eyes were immediately drawn to her painted bracelets and rings. Wearing a purple turban and matching kurta, the husband played a handcrafted bamboo and coconut shell bowed string instrument called the Ravanahatta to accompany her singing. As I wandered through this clay-covered complex, I met many artisans, some making lacquer bracelets, some making pottery.
An open stall selling colorful Jootis (shoes). Overall, I am delighted by Rajasthan’s rural charm and melodious tunes; the quaint village setting of Mandawa showcases true desert charm. Although Mandawa is greatly overdrawn by havelis, murals and legends of the plutocrats, this resort is ready to offer travelers a sense of desert life.
Almost all of the cabin-shaped huts at the desert resort have square windows and doors, giving the impression of jumping out of a period drama. Throw in a few lanterns and matkas (terracotta pots) in the aangan (yard) and the rustic vibe is ready to greet you. These modest clay dwellings cannot be compared to palaces in other Rajasthan cities, however, I love the fact that every material you see here is handcrafted or locally purchased.
Every corner showcases the culture and craftsmanship of the region. Local artists used traditional Mandawa artwork to create the look of the mud-walled hamlet, and even the mirrors blend in perfectly with the surrounding desert. But what makes this location so special is that the desert resort, in addition to its rich desert landscape, familiarizes people with the concepts of sustainability and social conscience. Their farm-to-table eating philosophy is a monument to their values, and they incorporate sustainable living techniques into every aspect of their daily operations. That’s why this meal has a different flavor!
Desert Resort uses fresh ingredients sourced locally or grown on-site, and on-site dairy supplies milk to meet all dairy needs in the kitchen. Even the meat is sourced fresh daily. You can even walk through the farm and choose vegetables for the dishes you want for a truly authentic farm-to-table experience. Skilled chefs then use traditional cooking methods to transform these homegrown ingredients into delicious dishes to keep the flavors intact.
Walk the alleys that branch from the kitchen and meet the women who hand-ground ingredients to serve you delicious food in this courie-designed restaurant. The grey walls of the Aabla restaurant are covered in fritillary, a marine mollusk, and seats here are flanked by cream and crimson accents. The fenestration concept allows you to peek at other tables in the adjacent room. By food in Mandawa, I mean authentic local food – beyond standard Rajasthani food. You see, Mandawa used to be a thriving trading town in Rajasthan. Growing up in a wealthy neighborhood and living in the vast and gorgeous Havelis, these businessmen were equally renowned for their palate.
I must admit, the vegetarian Shekhawati food I’ve eaten here – including dishes like Kadu ka Keema, Anjeer Bhara Kofta, Began ki Lonji, Sev Tamatar and Rabodi Kanda – easily turned me vegan. However, the spicy taste of Khade Masale ka Ghosht and Bajare ka Chicken Soyta makes them equally delicious. After lunch, be sure to try their Lahsoon (garlic) ki chutney, freshly crushed by hand from the villagers in the backyard. The staff will tell you that the freshness of the garlic will enhance the flavor of the dressing, adding flavor to your entire meal.
If your palette can’t handle all those Rajasthani spices, Aabla also has a range of continental salads. This lunch experience took me on a historical journey through Mandawa life and was the closest I’d come to eating authentic Shekhawati food, served in charcoal-heated pottery. The Mandawa Desert Resort and its lodge complex is the perfect base for exploring the area, you can choose from air-conditioned lodges, superior rooms or suites ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 rupees.
The resort is senior-friendly, with most cabins located on the ground floor for easy access to all grounds. To promote the locals and their art, furniture in all rooms and cottages is handcrafted on site, from hand-dyed curtains and printed bedspreads to chairs adapted from Mudas and Charpais woven in the region using the stoutness of local grasses Stools made of stems.
Visitors to the desert resort also have access to the swimming pool and lounge. The open swimming pool facing the plateau ahead is interesting. Next to the pool is a sign for a walking trail that leads directly to the lush community vegetation. Take in the unspoiled natural beauty of the desert through 2.5 kilometers of walking trails. The 100-plus-acre desert resort also features a dairy farm, solar heating, and an oasis within its paddock with recycled water.
The oasis attracts migratory birds and native animals. This is a great place to spot Coucal, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, blue jays, spotted owls, mallards, brown and black partridges, van grouse, hoopoe, thrush and desert wheat. Desert resorts offer travel experiences that go far beyond the norm, even though the name “desert” often conjures images of arid regions. The combination of privacy, ever-changing sand, and delicious food provides a temptation that makes me want to keep returning.
My favorite part about this hotel is that it’s pet friendly, so your furry friends can join you for a fun-filled family vacation too. Upon arrival, rent a car and go to nearby towns to visit Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli, Castle Mandawa, Bansidhar Nevatia Haveli, Sneh Ram Ladia Haveli, Murmuria Haveli, Poddar Haveli, Bala Qila, Double Goenka Haveli, Mahansar Fort and Sone ki Dukan.
How to get there: Jaipur is the nearest airport, Chulu is the nearest railway station, NH48, NH52 and NH11 connect Delhi to Jaipur and Jaipur to Bikaner respectively, forming an arc around Mandawa.
