History of Mandawa

Mandawa is a small town located in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, India. The town is known for its beautiful havelis (traditional Indian mansions) adorned with intricate frescoes and paintings, which have earned it the nickname "Open-Air Art Gallery". The history of Mandawa dates back to the 18th century when it was founded by Thakur Nawal Singh, a wealthy Rajput businessman. He built a fort and a palace in the town, which served as his residence. Over time, Mandawa grew into an important trading center on the Silk Route, connecting India with Central Asia. The havelis in Mandawa were built by wealthy merchants and traders in the 19th and early 20th centuries. These havelis were decorated with intricate frescoes and paintings that depicted a range of themes, including religious motifs, mythological scenes, and everyday life. The artists who painted these murals were largely self-taught and came from different parts of India. Mandawa is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world who come to admire the beautiful havelis and experience the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan. Many of the havelis have been restored and converted into heritage hotels, offering visitors a chance to stay in these beautiful buildings and experience the grandeur of Rajasthan's rich past.

Rani Sati Temple

 

Rani Sati Temple
 is a temple located in Jhunjhunu, state of Rajasthan, India. It is the largest temple in India devoted to Rani Sati, a Rajasthani lady who lived sometime between the 13th and the 17th century and committed sati (self-immolation) on her husband's death. Various temples in Rajasthan and elsewhere are devoted to her worship and to commemorate her act. Rani Sati is also called Narayani Devi and referred to as Dadiji (grandmother).

Story
The story of Rani Sati Dadi Maa starts from the time of Mahabharata. Narayani's wish of being married to Abhimanyu and her desire to be sati in her next life.
As granted by Lord Krishna, in her next life she was born as the daughter of Gursamal in the village of Dokwa in Rajasthan and was named Narayani. Abhimanyu was born in Hissar as a son of Jaliram and named Tandhan Bansal. Tandan and Narayani got married and were leading a peaceful life. He was in possession of a beautiful horse which was being eyed by the son of king of Hissar for quite some time. Tandan refused to hand over his precious horse to the king’s son.
The king’s son then decides to forcefully acquire the horse and thus challenges Tandan to a duel. Tandan fights the battle bravely and kills the king’s son. The enraged king thus kills Tandan in front of Narayani in the battle. Narayani, symbolic of female bravery and power, fights with the king and kills him. She then commanded Ranaji (the caretaker of the horse) to make immediate arrangements for her to be set ablaze along with her husband’s cremation.
Ranaji, playing a vital role in fulfilling her wish to be sati with her husband, is then blessed by Narayani that his name will be taken and worshiped along with her name and since then she is known as Rani Sati.
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Lohargal

Lohargal (लोहार्गल)
                                is a beautiful place of great tourist interest, situated in the Jhunjhunu District, Rajasthan. It is famous for its natural scenic beauty. Lohargal is 68 km from Jhunjhunu via Nawalgarh and Udaipurwati. It is situated at a distance of 10 km from Udaipurwati.

Lohargal has great historical importance – regarded as the place of Bhima, one of the heroes of the great epic of India – the Mahabharata. The holy shrine of Lohargal is situated at the foot hills of the Aravalli Ranges.

In the Varāha Purana, a place named Lohārgala is stated to be ruled over by the Mleccha kings.

There is a holy water tank at Lohargal, where pilgrims who cannot afford to go all the way to Varanasi come to wash away their sins. According to myth a mighty and huge army of Pandavas came to bathe here after their glorious victory on the battle fields only to find that their weapons and armours dissolved in the water.

"The literal meaning of Lohargal is Loha (Iron)+Gal (To melt), means that melts the iron."

Other tourist attractions worth visiting include Malket, Barkhandi, Gyan Bawari, Bhim Kund and Chetan Das Bawari. A large fair, held here every year from Krishna Janmashtami to Amawashya, is a major draw.

The nearest bus station is at Golyana. Regular buses are available to Nawalgarh, Udaipurwati and Sikar.