As we were sick of covid news and fears, me and wife decided to do the best thing to fight it. Travel! And since Rajasthan was the first place to open up for tourism, our travel agent Holxo recommended the sleepy town of Mandawa, after getting to know my interest in heritage. And boy, what a trip it turned out to be!

They arranged the best taxi and driver for the five hour drive from Delhi, and as we set out, we received a welcome call from the hotel manager Virender Singh Rathore. His name itself gave me a glimpse of the Rajput heritage we were about to partake in.

And we were not disappointed as we reached the hotel Mandawa Castle. It is actually a a 250 year old property, and new wings were added later on, but even those in heritage style, rather than in new architecture. The first hour was spent on clicking photos of the gardens, from the private balcony of room number 228. I could feel the childlike enthusiasm rise in me. As I took in the gardens, the heritage pool, the shekhawati frescoes of the hotel, and the turrets of the castle.

The lunch was a hearty meal of mangodi papad ki sabzi, and besan ki roti.

And then, we had a pleasant surprise! My wife brought me the news that the hotel was location for shooting of a web series by Nikhil Advani, starring Nareesudfin Shah, and Lara Dutta. And she was like, I am going to be watching shooting!

The next day, as expected, was spent watching the shooting. And imagine, my wife asked Raghuvir Yadav for a selfie, and he obliged, the cultured man that he is.

Off we went for a haveli tour, and camel cart ride to the small sand dunes.

Mandawa maybe a small sleepy town today, but it's 70 odd grand havelis tell of the importance of this business centre about 200 years back, when it lay on the silk route. I got the glimpse of first Chambers of commerce of India!

The lunch was of dal bati churma, where the churma was lipsmacking. We did but some puppets as souvenir, and winded off the day.

The next day, our brief sojourn, which gave us big relaxation, was ended. And we left the hotel regretfully.

And next day, it was time for

Mandawa Castle was a lovely experience. A Royal welcome after 5 hours drive from Delhi. The sight of the Castle is refreshing. The place is amazing with beautiful luxury rooms, ever hospitable and helpful staff and the awesome food. The staff ably managed by Virendra Singh pampered us to the hilt. The culinary delight we went through from Rajasthani to Mughlai to Continental at various ambience setting from candle light atop the terrace to pool side was memorable.
Wish things get normal for the Hotel Industry to bounce back soon...
We shall surely make another trip to stay at the Dessert Resort boasting of mid houses