A large number of forts and palaces are spread across the antediluvian princely state of Rajasthan. These palaces were the home of the antediluvian rulers or Maharajas which ruled over India. These royal residences, which were the mainstay of history, bristling with the past memories and the royal darbars, were abandoned with the passage of time. Since the government withdraw the privileges granted to the rulers in maintaining these magnificent properties, each individually created over centuries, and adorned with the best paintings and furniture, and representing different periods of architectural history, these palaces were in the danger of falling to ruins, even though most of them continued to serve as residences for the former members of the royal families.

Out of the 22 princely forts and palaces, magnificent castles and romantic havelies, some of them were converted into the heritage hotels. The Heritage Hotels are old palaces, forts and grand mansions of Maharajas which have been later renovated and converted into Hotels. These former royal residences, which members of the royal family have continued to inhabit for various generations, are repositories of a gracious lifestyle, and a way of living that passed into the realms of fantasy. The rooms in the hotel are decorated individually, comfortable, romantic and present the flair of the days of Maharaja. These heritage hotels have managed to keep their flavour like the medieval palaces intact and have opened their doors to the tourists. These hotels are now maintained in the more pleasant manner and run by the members of the royal families and a way of living that was losing its ground in the 21st century, has been preserved for a little while longer.

Shekhawati's magnificent havelis or mansions, display a unique architectural style that evolved around the courtyards to ensure safety and privacy of the women folk and protection from the heat of the long and harsh summers. The havelis, painted predominantly in the blue, maroon, yellows, green and indigo have beautiful wall paintings that adorn their walls. The earlier wall paintings were largely based on the mythological themes, depicting local legends, animals, portraits, hunting and wrestling scenes and a glimpse of everyday life. The turn of the 19th century saw the appearance of new motifs, an outcome of the Raj's influence upon the Indian culture. Now cars, replaced elephants and traditional Indian miniatures mingled with naturalism of western paintings to produce interesting hybrid results. Trains, cars, balloons, telephones, gramophones, English men in hunting attires and portraits of the haveli owners primly dressed were painted all over the walls.

The major towns of interest in the region are Mandawa, Dundlod, Fatehpur, Ramgarh, Nawalgarh and Jhunjhunu, although virtually every town has at least a few surviving havelis.

Mandawa - founded in the 18th century, this is a compact and busy little market town. It was fortified by the dominant merchant families and its fort dominates the town with a painted arched gateway adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows. The Chokhani, Ladia and Saraf havelis are some of the splendid examples of this region's havelis. A Shiva temple with a rock crystal lingam is also worth a visit. The fort is now converted into a heritage hotel.