Vivaana occupies two adjacent nineteenth-century Shekhawati merchant havelisHaveliA traditional townhouse or mansion built around one or more internal courtyards.Read in the glossary at Churi Ajitgarh, a village just outside Mandawa. Atul Khanna began the restoration more than a decade ago and the family run it still — a conservation project that happens to take guests.
The frescoes in the rooms are the original paint, not reproduction. Courtyards are hung with antiques, rooftops look over village lanes and the flat Shekhawati plain, and the spa sits in a building called the Elephant House.
Why We Place Guests Here
- The restoration is the real thing — original nineteenth-century fresco preserved in the rooms rather than repainted for effect.
- Being in a village rather than the town means the Shekhawati evening is actually quiet.
- Thirty-eight individually designed rooms, each built around whatever the haveli gave the restorers; no two stays are the same.
The Table
- In-house restaurant — Rajasthani, North Indian and continental
- Bar
- Courtyard and rooftop dining
The Elevated India Signature
A slow walk of both havelis with the family, reading the frescoes room by room before dinner.
Questions, Answered
Is Vivaana the same as Vivana Haveli, Mandawa?
Yes — Vivaana Culture Hotel is the correct name. It stands at Churi Ajitgarh village near Mandawa rather than in Mandawa town itself.
How far is Vivaana from Jaipur and Delhi?
Jaipur is about 170 km, roughly three hours; Delhi about 260 km, roughly five. Jaipur airport is around 160 km.
Journeys That Take You There
Explore the destination guide: Mandawa, Rajasthan ↗
Photography: Photograph courtesy Vivaana