Plan your trip · Mandawa
What's on in Mandawa
Upcoming festivals, fairs and events in Mandawa — plan your visit around them, then check the best time to visit.
Nothing dated is confirmed for Mandawa right now, so here is the year instead — the fixtures that come round annually, and what each one means for a visit.
The year in Mandawa
Mandawa packs most of its outdoor calendar into the cooler months; the pre-monsoon peak is hot enough that daytime processions are genuinely hard going. Broadly, Oct – Mar is when visiting is most comfortable here, and that is when the calendar is busiest — which also means accommodation is most expensive and books furthest ahead.
Most of these follow lunar calendars and move by weeks from year to year, so treat the windows below as the season rather than the date, and confirm the year’s dates before you book around one.
Across Rajasthan
Teej and Gangaur
🗓️ July–August and March–AprilProcessions of decorated idols through the old cities, especially Jaipur and Udaipur.
Planning: Good street photography, heavy crowds in the old-city lanes.
Nationwide
Diwali
🗓️ October–NovemberThe biggest holiday of the year — lamps, sweets, fireworks and a week of visiting family. Cities are lit up and markets stay open late.
Holi
🗓️ MarchColoured powder and water, thrown at anyone within reach, mostly through the morning.
Navratri and Dussehra
🗓️ September–OctoberNine nights of fasting, music and dance, ending with Dussehra. What it looks like changes completely by region — garba in Gujarat, pandals in Bengal, processions in the south.
Eid al-Fitr
🗓️ shifts ~11 days earlier each yearThe end of Ramadan. The old quarters of Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Bhopal are at their best in the evenings through the preceding month, when food streets run past midnight.
Makar Sankranti and Pongal
🗓️ mid-JanuaryThe harvest turn, marked with kites in the west and north and four days of Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
Mandawa is a quiet town for most of the year, but the big Rajasthani festivals bring colour to its painted lanes. Diwali lights up the bazaar and the havelis, Holi fills the streets with coloured powder, and women dress in leheriya and bright bangles for Teej and Gangaur.
The main regional event is the Shekhawati Festival, a celebration of the region's folk music, dance, crafts and rural games. It has usually been held in February, but recent editions have moved to March and centre on Nawalgarh and nearby towns. Festival dates change each year, so check the latest schedule before you plan your trip around an event.
Tips for Attending Events & Festivals in Mandawa
- Book your room early for Diwali, Holi and the winter season.
- Check the Shekhawati Festival dates and venues each year, as they change.
- Wear old clothes you do not mind staining at Holi, and protect your camera and phone.
- Ask before photographing people during festivals and processions.
- Dress modestly for religious events and temple celebrations.
- Carry water and a hat for daytime events, even in the cooler months.
- Keep your belongings secure in crowded bazaar lanes.
Questions
Mandawa — FAQ
What are the main festivals in Mandawa?
The main festivals are Diwali, Holi, Teej and Gangaur, which are celebrated across Rajasthan. The Shekhawati Festival, held around Nawalgarh and other towns in the region, celebrates local folk culture.
When is the Shekhawati Festival?
It has usually been held in February, but recent editions have taken place in March. Dates and venues change each year, so check with Rajasthan Tourism before you plan your trip.
What happens at the Shekhawati Festival?
The festival features folk music and dance, craft displays, rural games such as pot races and tug-of-war, and competitions like mehndi and rangoli. Some editions also include heritage walks and safaris.
Is Holi a good time to visit Mandawa?
Yes, if you enjoy lively crowds and colour. Holi is usually in March, when the weather is still pleasant. Wear old clothes and keep your phone and camera protected.