Hotel Mandawa Haveli.

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="" border="0" height="431" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433571061583097026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRPj27fNQ9V_p_LkZWjqbe7gLoXyqMAVxSAcOWGWBiXBTV164z_w-fIXkrSUxgv1KrQpLib8x__Y8xknN2TIPOZmvX7LQuzjPURxPo3EtntTQXx02J_97qOy-Fx2d2bK-PGqcJE-emBo/s640/hav2.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">We chose <b><a href="http://hotelmandawa.free.fr/">Hotel Mandawa Haveli</a></b>, a <i>haveli</i> built in the 18th century by a wealthy Marwari jeweller for our stay at Mandawa, Shekhawati, Rajasthan during our winter break.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" height="596" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433571051778409682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfLKSnO3FfPNPOz5Ddj8r659ENYdE9NsR6_JN39AV_PvXKvgHKNthhMXp3-25QKUoHkNjTzfHWwAFlciWuH_zQyjHT3hpL6BgzdsYHluhcZSu_JHlQZ6SVgfC_k3DUWFJ2z1KGQEufSU/s640/hav1" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Soaking up the winter sun in the outer courtyard of the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">haveli.</span></i><br /><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433574812593374994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmfZXbrO7c8BkSysLoNOvQ_ZYSemyVJLlmTekpfW1mwXhTI0J3sRBsvvz50Kb8CcQ6Frj6B0PG0fruRKjAkn2zLJUoI18n9C1fSLpeLhKtMmo41lLNWzWU8HxJ_JcT_NSG_defAty1PE/s640/hav7.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span><br /><div>Entrance to the <i>haveli</i>.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" height="471" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433573230807189298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsfdLKveoiWo9gPReyEb_MHvdppc2HxWWqOU_89-1__6YJHHNtE74l9RsMoj2zMrjizR-cmqs0B9-CwL3qdTkX-5HhhWs-8ubR80YzcYupAYJm5Cq_c7Nrn7rQgBLxBmiEJhohAaoDlk/s640/hav14.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The outer walls of the <i>haveli</i> framed by flowering trees.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433573240544121682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggm6j6tIjnpP4sQ6E-7Jw3_I1H38Rnh7HRligOSQCyWl5E6nyuIAPbmLhV88fjKfX-G7JdHh-LzzOTaMTW4GO5OGfleIe25OGel6S0YqeVTC-iAiTWAr1ti1KVw-I833mOWh2REUkWw08/s640/hav15.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="480" /></span><br /><div>The <i>haveli</i> has been restored and converted into a hotel by <i>Dinesh Dhabhai</i>. There are beautiful frescos painted all over the <i>haveli</i> and especially in the inner courtyard. The theme is of Lord Krishna and scenes from his life.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433578848249666530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvmWPIvWD1ARCQRJ74sOEskFktfQqDY0scMyXLNAOslZ8V-CDhHolquViqr17JhOPBLGk__hWR0e8Y4sUNW6Aant4sXur7gpCo2C6lPr-xxTlGniUMGJIZVMvEYPKhv26lZqLzkDR-yg/s640/hav13.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">The inner courtyard being spruced up for the Christmas Eve celebrations...</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433571083090469506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBaHny50jMDah3QYwZ_i55N-qCm8HWz5O4bfrJG-fACNL7lvARnx0qhJHklGGqKqHAjBaCU7SPXkLptIWkOHYo5u_PRXlbwSpuOaQzOCer9OqPhZ5cOtCwpGyoaRmbLSU9LUHagm-xTE/s640/hav5.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /><img alt="" border="0" height="471" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433571648452940114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSEZHSGc_mBvDb0ovZS3iS3ticcD-8F7ZR-n0qb7GS8YtcIoGc3RXCWQ_KFzAX7rKYMW1zgCPb84e6HIq6DEAHB4ZBEOAGsmhNBjKEU2sZkPMZdmHSJDJDGwJcDPGnoOSgrMNo6vbBhc/s640/hav10.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">The intricate rangoli design painted by a local grandmother & grand-daughter team...</span></div><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433578637840358930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijh56ETckImwP0u4jfrQU2I5vsBSF6TfPls1X68wAPoJ2nZnDNzH2CSPzu2XEshqpvpQTfnBjVl_zJzN9YMrUlAj2gvKN8LibvKZNXTIli5W3VPxSo2TwrBX5yL-XtdIrY5l7kk674jJ8/s640/hav4.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433571626656475954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipO9a6vW8EG5gUZ85SvQElsAbNqdx1J5U04Xog9NYGJnGg1yUiBjId9zKHwBZdRdhW0ddTjjc-TzZ2uEINHnRygaBcM4wKORlxt0mq7-754glzvqQpDfYEQK-xi5UVMATh9ean7EjX9r4/s640/hav8.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="480" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">The original intricately carved Rajasthani doors have been restored.</span></div></span><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433571067655816450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CxDnG_8vQj0gbK52LybCIxvODyVFKop1ymU6xofZ_gSE5mEh_P4AYu0CaRvTChxEciBRE_L_VQ4L0jwfdGhizNA3Zq6Uk2Q3BqdJ7dq3I_uLZSG7z-hBRMYp9RAW1GyuQ37zuxwWJAM/s640/hav3" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="480" /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Lovely antique furniture line the courtyard.</span></div><img alt="" border="0" height="541" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433571641387682162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOI56LmEuoqQ3LyciI-XjQXlBGdFQrD4BeM37Bi-lxziUUo3aY_trjSDwumsqRiaIgXHSU2al5BxLPagHu-xvs39IB6ilqLxAdSO77lkNxhJrdwExjrL_cV4hpSjsMXPeXiRJ4ID84Ivw/s640/hav9" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">The rooms have been named after the various names of Lord Krishna.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><img alt="" border="0" height="520" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433573205349892002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDldBngsXdKmBW_BP8l2GKk1DFmqTrZfIf24XuMOzE8NRNm8qHv_1_1iPNg94CsCW3Og7CZsgK9sPNIhBrHZ3AG83ZtkSRZH7Ub96xM0sq345MbAyrKtQSKBYsmBIKsIsP5KaG4DHfjeU/s640/hav11.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433574478538660946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMEjSanVQkixok47xtL5t4g_Q5a4UDUPf9Ce2pE7kZUZZN0W1E5O9yGoOXBW1KQNoqmRFL4afsbUp7ftmQi9m7oE1yevCle6L5NkokA-wQ_h-AfpNb3ZTKE6iXNSdNjwW7LmL4dcm-hY/s640/hav16" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">We stayed in 'Rasesh':-)</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img alt="" border="0" height="426" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433574495769974866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynKSG4ZlCHUZn2TDzv-p54yGETtJmF3VYxRACMN1Lk5iAQujtp9yW0L4Rds1mICjiay9ro2LTRk0vfQp-SFgn-JmW-hkV-ByucWe9lnD0w7yCBCSaGppPtS2aPQ7hPUKn89hA-UaO3es/s640/hav18.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">The inner view of the room.</span></span></div><img alt="" border="0" height="510" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433574502517044514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWZTU8F07JvSatn6x5WmOETpy8B3rcjdzB0OkPCA5jCQuvNEmS7GbQcLjWX0ZKczVk8cHBwOq5NMMf7-p3eGyI-Ko6wMUux449ApAKXDqVEt7MqBtWIxifFf7Mln7dwDsLIrUMBFjh1g/s640/hav19.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><img alt="" border="0" height="484" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433574818090823570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMrnPnBo1LNNCLk1It1bzKXZWgNmXnme-M9cXLEQkNAMJCvmNcRCaabVfModjh-RZSvSFJqeYAaTyNg9EQIN7_TuA1OUwsfOIk0BibboZWAQuJsDSHq4tlKKCde5wN14_z9Dl0A9Ba04/s640/hav21.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">The stunning view of the courtyard all lit up for Christmas eve and the melody of Rajasthani folk music just took our breathe away!</span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433574508760943090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVs-rWgeczRwH4-mIj_SXqZ4G645I4B95BKh7bDJ-f7CbnTHL0LiJcwempLFHtqXUp7cZg6sMdpsou_wzOqPUWI7_yHF2mvwxyM48rAk4irVYxixYVlRzIL9Rc192K83psdhX2VwEayo/s640/hav20.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><img alt="" border="0" height="434" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433574487925715138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DWBfcj3Ioso6k1M_OTUya3X7gba0NG6oe0TLc2RQ88Ci8EzkmoxF2c78lpNqRwLN3zEBx3uZJCEopdFaf8mjSsfOwSzZ_T_pBHJPwGHPnNbKkl5XdM87PgeEXY1TxR1sUrrZsCivLJg/s640/hav17.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><div style="text-align: left;">The friendly turbaned gate-keeper at the Mandawa Haveli:-)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Do stay at a restored <i>haveli, </i>when you visit Shekhawati to truly experience the local flavor of the region:-)</div></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">(images by Arch)</span></span></i></div></span></span></span></div>

Hotel Mandawa Haveli.

We chose Hotel Mandawa Haveli , a haveli built in the 18th century by a wealthy Marwari jeweller for our stay at Mandawa, Shekhawati, Rajas...

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Havelis of Shekhawati, Rajasthan.

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429441527337148098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nPl4FZPmmGn0DZ6IB0WPXMvB8WE4ABCurtYJo_Bt7N05ag6kbWQ9aHU2eEL5HiZb2LMXKMHCrzoQwixASsbtpgKCxZ9bba0Kw2CLYLH6nsOkoymRRVMbRJ7p3wMS31N7LYR2f1kTVA4/s640/mand8.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="488" /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qcrJaU7DmD7BTV3ET7UkktHe6uBCmnEqFw59l4uYk2hE4cqNcq74XhhXF7aISOfhwiZdd8WJlCihk0YWFr6zIzWNQiQ1PYzvu9BMyICoHdw6sEp3qk9ViZK9dWq0gdKGs0i8VSGpNcc/s1600-h/man.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><i>The Sonthaliya Gate, Mandawa.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><i></i>When we decided on our winter vacation destination as Rajasthan, we immediately knew it had to be in the lesser explored regions of Shekhawati. Shekhawati region is known for their heritage </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Havelis.</span></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i><div><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Haveli</span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">- Is a huge private mansion in India or Pakistan.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">The Rajasthani </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">havelis</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">were constructed by the wealthy Marwari community in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan in the 19th century. A </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">haveli</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"> typically has two courtyards one for the men and the inner one for the women, the walls were adorned with beautiful colourful frescoes painted by commissioned artists.</span></div><img alt="" border="0" height="435" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429441519886239074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEJz-4iuDANOzCNc1LEysisd8I5Sj_RbVuYbBmFwIpfvORKbihAYT5_YEz587YGt_Bsb1ubrmlPMDcync7V4Ax7FZHrt3HWsNouSrwwb_KyYF_O2c1-TQ0dZ9tOLwq1U0YDI2Bs49WgY/s640/mand7.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;">The themes were usually images of Gods, Goddesses & animals.</span></div><img alt="" border="0" height="426" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429438518873128546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRunJ-ocj0EoqXXQ2bkmrXK6OSe7iPQPGA3Iw9mjUq8uG4YHL1th6JnLGoYmaUboOVnWJjIQkgmwzIJntEV1OWV9iI3lnvdJzJxP5M7WKVXa8rJqK_TlZ6dpZll4lSS-EXtV95Nk2Kieo/s640/mand5.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /><br /><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Mandawa, Ramgarh, Fatehpur</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"> are dusty little towns in the Shekhawati area that have many old </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">havelis</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">, which in their glorious days would have been a treat to the eyes, but even today have not lost their timeless beauty.</span></div><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429436284370204946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vJCR7niy5353gtUAvAyOJkDsrZekd6hUmlgLRYPthA5ITm8a3OlGqe5kibvUUbEqtwzsTzbHRjAsNC9gdZYSukkM-PWMj6yW56j1S68wymNe_v54q4M4hkndqIEih312BfLYD2h4em4/s640/man18.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="480" /><br /><div><img alt="" border="0" height="426" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429441535341081106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItnkiRLsYOaFyq2z7OUl6CiR4xb4-Oh8Gnz6wdnFL-BNKiTtNrIL3yuUmLZlBthxHslnMVDFIhSTTOBbuY3biItKx9fuTyfwRYCfJ-xi7eUcckt1GpWRFWA2oXiF4iQt2YjMaR-W6aaA/s640/mand9.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429444593426070370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVN0Z87qMnOtV7WN73si6Ide8NptGwubB3dQlwN-ItvDs8t1E5dT5MW-W3zVDxD8lnCUUZ0UmxM4zX72EB9-TU5oGFBtCpKWP59W7JLfody4xNQfs3sYppWbt3Whxa0TIncPINYozj20g/s640/mand17.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">The huge old havelis in Mandawa.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429445705083924162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXUgY1b8XeSn34_GL69GYwTmkZhA_EWFlXU5-ogXankQRE3WATlkMAwolqYrj_Nq2E7-X4xKRDsAwl_N7QBon89rKH1mgXr_wWGXdVuhiVf9FVKGopBaCN7NdRNNfdts7QTaIZhYWH8U/s640/mand17.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">A handful of these </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">havelis</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">are being restored and given a new lease of life by private organizations, historians & architects. Some of them have been converted into heritage hotels.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" height="457" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429441544176628498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZE0puINeD7Qh7djsNx1SMZKoPUkoce6jk2PBoq7m0SZu86Q_mex3GomNW5AfVY7I9FI-8FZPu35GZqgXTWGsQg0J69ZvWBKxPl0t47DilHpiEUqP75Q07d9hSxcYw9PQvfa62I_Q22Q/s640/mand10.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://www.cultural-centre.com/index.swf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Nadine Le Prince</span></a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"> is a french artist whose love for Indian cultural heritage has inspired her to restore a haveli built in 1802 by a rich tradesman of the silk road.</span></div><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429444587567714482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQdIuGFVwKMA2y93oNyGKf_uHKEinwfs9uc1SQ1ZPyMAh3O2s46SY0pfe4a30V4_MZNAWpLrmtt23Bo1fL9HbddTUIJMd9TretLOtWTjBTxdm6IXH4LH056cxlqdTetOWH32rHoKogdQ/s640/mand15.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /><br /><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Beautifully restored courtyard at Nadine Le Prince Haveli Cultural Centre, Fatehpur.</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" height="418" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429438495584737378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWj407tU0rKaj-jR7cy5WZzcNISXkFsmAcHxqRq34613sGyfGgzGEaW1Fxgwy2EFN0h3_xSCQcpsD8DK51Y2WsVRftgk267g4XaVuzt0-g3qf87k1k9VJ8GbC8AM-oOQvVwpxOAWb_HU/s640/mand1.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" height="426" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429438510350739890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUYNJimR3PvSFqopIYeEmtSXAr7GSv9TsfPt3OvSJ3N_D6g46_ol6sGMbRH3Um54p7h0bqnSwFX0Qsb5e1hOD2VujiXSjzAZNrlaLxs5sg62VrGiXhxkpHSDFC0dSR5eBdCS6txPvbpM/s640/mand3.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" height="426" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429438504391541906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjII6W0idMERe_ODiRrkGq22fJ_661mc9j3fdRo0iAeR6h1Jd_uDC3Tm0-BlXegGbU0qch8APiA3srCjbuLY6JDvyQ_5umD-PhFFSWICK12oc2XOdfkK1DvnC5olyQprkJv7ibdStpO0l8/s640/mand2.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" height="426" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429438533157841698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpxs25mbbZNqhj4SxuFR3IV6JM0HG-4iXHOg8Pqa7XRF1jnxXLz2P7B0OZV3-OAuSdRaoYefXp0QwJ8ERBuBOOO24loNt1fMnt4DlgpMgYckbjKsrNysqeGAO8AN-3Bf4HWFaxsvg3PI/s640/mand6.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span><br /><div><b><a href="http://www.ramgarhfresco.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Ramgarh Fresc</span></a></b><b><a href="http://www.ramgarhfresco.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">o</span></a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">, a restored </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">haveli,</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"> earlier known as the Khemka Haveli is 100-years old and has been renovated by the Khandelwal family who wanted to showcase the beauty of the frescos and the architecture to the visitors.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><img alt="" border="0" height="500" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429444569514857922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoD5bdEzyij3zjtfbbwcdUqrWGOeEPXyAl1eVNxxnPLPApriO0hXB8a-O7yV54PfwugFkHEnzP0YNqzmGDw87ei7LFV9WNpWW4lAHjdscZerIK1Cb48bNdLQKNGnsvgqIM9B5Mn4BLFw/s640/mand12.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span><img alt="" border="0" height="454" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429441551042569922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdIjbJjilOJ4FJb27e1C9tVskpoWad5Phrl02v-U9r5x4EeOFkoLPg3i7z0nBnF3KUyti-OFeN1YTdyN7W42h-1Cvr2hDjCqo7EHf4uzH0g7B0NTsOWyfyptXRKXpkQ49lFb5jL-PHGQ/s640/mand11.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Amazing hand-painted frescos at </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Hotel Ramgarh Fresco</span></b></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429444577517725586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUFgW1A0ijxJNdB8_21qpWBk4B3g0npLYcmV7k7T_Qzt7e3yfgaKsI0DGD6c7xBm3E5kxPbY9VMiOvgZuxVsEByGuiG7x4MlnjQmg3APymG0ScZr5cdy1kGkaURO-doDEsk89cUBL-mM/s640/mand13.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span><img alt="" border="0" height="603" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429455789654502002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qcrJaU7DmD7BTV3ET7UkktHe6uBCmnEqFw59l4uYk2hE4cqNcq74XhhXF7aISOfhwiZdd8WJlCihk0YWFr6zIzWNQiQ1PYzvu9BMyICoHdw6sEp3qk9ViZK9dWq0gdKGs0i8VSGpNcc/s640/man.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>We had a lovely thali lunch here:-)</i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" height="465" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429444584132380738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLiOBAhbzwjSpxjuc_3xvRCcH61h2sTLmelEJuWkB7PF2qaVDiTw96E6IlSK42F9-1f0Hyr_96xMojlpzxLqWMi4DU2ikbYo5XxFhih3YA-ZzYfV6gIzoIevJLOkQh3iEptiQ5NnPsXM/s640/mand14.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="640" /></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">The traditional haveli courtyard.</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">In my next post, will showcase another restored haveli~ A lovely place where we stayed, soaked in the winter sun and listened to the folk music of the desert...:-)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">( Images by Arch)</span></span></i></div></div></div>

Havelis of Shekhawati, Rajasthan.

The Sonthaliya Gate, Mandawa. When we decided on our winter vacation destination as Rajasthan, we immediately knew it had to be in the lesse...

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The rustic charm of a restored 'Haveli'

<strong>Restoration</strong> <em>noun-</em>The act of making new or as if new again.<br /><br />This word brings immense happiness to my heart, whether it is rescuing the old door from a demolished <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chettinad">Chettinad</a> mansion and giving it a place in our living room or giving a new lease of life to antique dowry chest picked up from the bylanes of a village.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096919057588275426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsh363WhyA5UvNqWE28oyCXuPpzZ_TjLGaJA-TNomJktZQV3x8AlQao1xLSdmMq7WgEZG-9xSABsi77v65uV-gabUQeKCLvBCailvYJ_zhoyX396maIT867I1OUsG5HFETpDCPuB1d9Q1F/s400/haveli3.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><em>Arches frame the open courtyards</em><br />This <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haveli">Haveli</a> built in 1776 on the outskirts of Delhi was restored by art historians <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3322473.stm">Francis Wacziarg</a> and <a href="http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/07/29/stories/2004072900680300.htm">Aman Nath</a>. The Haveli which is a synthesis of Hindu & Islamic architectural style had been abandoned for 50 years.<br /><br />The exteriors were left untouched, all the 46 windows were opened to view the open landscape outside and only the courtyard & rooms were renovated & painted.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096919048998340802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXy6wte1OPsmNCJt4CW2M4TajMeH25H4wA-lFWL0Vvj2f6n3fMNTAZwqsLG75gIXxr069abuxqVDgA9UfIflu4u1m7alIhNlm8gqyp0Q6y5Gr9KAoBlrOxiKALUewtVoysvU6oyjnt-y4N/s400/haveli1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><em>White-washed walls with a </em><a href="http://www.vsubhash.com/die.asp?word=charpoy"><em>charpoy</em></a><em> as a bed and absolutely gorgeous red bedcover...<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096924860089092450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Lkl8W1fvwVDDgQkjAyM90qKy5z-tCPd-ZCcN9pKT8gVUabfwKtJxkLd-cLnUtSQvxJ4mcCFrpAIur5LzyYqnYhGo41ZnpKWQxKJGKcH-hlWwM6YNUYIAOrhxemE8c_3BQW2jOvKhYTo5/s400/haveli7.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></em><em>Antique low folding </em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shekhawati"><em>Shekahawati </em></a><em>chairs (which were once used by women while churning butter) on the open verandah...</em><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096922390482897186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmPKc_w8syBwn4pdgAsWXONFhLpV9AN_Pogyop-qLr5AcO7V8Ib0Czm3QjslKGxRtxyRn7hOwO_l_jHCPl5WPauRrZAIphyXWgM2dXQcIIjXxUWA9kV9c2dNGLXxkf3T4H8i2Id-bK9tB/s400/haveli6.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><em>A room off the central courtyard has minimum furnishings like this iron-bound dowry chest and an old low cot...</em><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096924860089092466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKZrxVqSvyGwZHIhWcx4ajvLmaGH_lq3YWqozqBZ1sKWzQ7iRza6pnlvAkwtNZeyewSbDzzo1DSesJNqZy4IDrhqleROuqabH5TmgiQlxq7dNbcXafvmI1UTiEYptB7RLHG1U74N54E00/s400/haveli2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><em>Oil lamps and a 19th century stone bull occupy the window recess...<br /><br /></em>I just can't get over this spectacular space of the central courtyard. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096922390482897202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju64D2wV1pQ4Mut78Nv2NDWEzFGPASFwpCj4_4RRUdJyq7ccH7VZ_SCFsGfvhohXcJ1uP45Bi8-Rp-zgZUSCNZIOLRlyz8C5D4Ay3pUf20aD-N5XPfnX7PpwsupXgxAgzhUMBYOyJQAKoy/s400/haveli8.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><em>This courtyard comes alive with the warm glow of lamps in the evening during the celebration of festival of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshmi">Lakshmi</a>.<br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhje4zFruw6Dliqe35j0QNVhP1FCpfYGW7CecQHKDk0lDuwz7KBB3GlJSIf2wZBMdw27xx8zE8og-ItZjMrKmrkzq7TLnwvQgztPzcXThbBBNlQ1q62_TuDxzhFFV8DH40drG3yHKMkukix/s1600-h/haveli10.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096924052635240786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhje4zFruw6Dliqe35j0QNVhP1FCpfYGW7CecQHKDk0lDuwz7KBB3GlJSIf2wZBMdw27xx8zE8og-ItZjMrKmrkzq7TLnwvQgztPzcXThbBBNlQ1q62_TuDxzhFFV8DH40drG3yHKMkukix/s400/haveli10.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> What a romantic space to unwind on a weekend with friends :-)<br /><em><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096922394777864514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nTB4H5p51MSYUcu4IrSwQyIvG6cDvPeMrCt6gLiP95z-1ZKNQ2Jp7R9grevyDt9xC5aetd4azxE7oZ-UjJnihbUIyQdbj3OMihBDImgzXxL0VQ33NEoo7qRFpMVWbljXUq9jkyWS1_Ke/s400/haveli9.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Close-up of one of the corners of the courtyard.</em><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096922386187929874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7_MmNlo8VUQv93xaFga3HAZ4xXejnsx13QNT_LZv2ZOoqf8iLXjjhbgJaS5kRN9HQq0ArL5MPl48TP0Tyg709_68wJ20fyLwktH5N05OaBCZBfLhXB1CiURfuOc4zyWu1VJoXUisbot5/s400/haveli5.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><em>Brass studded door with colourful applique work window shades and entrance to a raised shutter door leading to the veranda...<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096919066178210034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZHobjshxjcY5yVkWg43NYWJBZs96SD6G8O8vk6d2Tk3HZVlyTUxb1mFlGaEN4daaGz6fch4iQtvRkEfRymONvfUS8VYNKHJp7psobJxdF2n_uCeVJmtFeQUqDC4oyNSxmYl0FO449vGh/s400/haveli4.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></em>Just look at this dining room*sigh*<br /><em>The table is a high bed (Takht) which has been raised on four stone drums. So innovative!<br /><br /></em>What a great job done by <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3322473.stm">Francis Wacziarg</a> and <a href="http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/07/29/stories/2004072900680300.htm">Aman Nath</a>. This fantastic 'Haveli' not only reflects the charm of the past but also accomodates the modern needs.<br /><br /><em>(Images from <strong>Indian Style</strong>-by Suzanne Slesin & Stafford Cliff)</em>

The rustic charm of a restored 'Haveli'

Restoration noun- The act of making new or as if new again. This word brings immense happiness to my heart, whether it is rescuing the old ...

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