Mandawar and the surrounding area are a great place to get away from tourists and see some rural Indian towns. Some of the towns have beautifully painted havelis. Some have been redone and turned into hotels, and they're exquisite. Others are left in ruins. These were some of my favorites as they feel so real and authentic. You feel like you've stepped back in time. Even the most small towns have their own haveli's and the locals will eagerly show them to you.

You can book a day tour to see the sites, but a more adventurous way to go is to head out on local buses. Be warned that as you get further out the buses can be infrequent and not follow a schedule. If you're in a jam you can likely hitch a ride to the nearest town. The people you meet are incredibly friendly and eager to show you their town.