The semidesert Shekhawati region lies in the triagular area between Delhi. Jaipur and Bikaner. Starting around the 14th century, a number of Muslim clans moved into the area and the towns which developed in the region became inportant trading posts on the carvan routes emanating from the ports of Gujarat. Although the towns have long since lost any importance they may once have had, painted havelis ( mansions) constructed by the merchants of the region. Most of the building date from the 18th century to early this century, and the entire area has been dobbed by some as the ‘open air gallery of Rajashtan’. There are also forts, a couple of minor castles, baolis (stepwells), chhatris, and a handful of mosques. The major towns of interest in the ragion are Fatehpur, Nawalgarh, Mandawa, Ramgarh and Jhunjhunu, although virtually every town has at least a few surviving havelis.

The semidesert region of Shekhawati is a colourful fantasy having a fascination uniquely of its own. The open-air art gallery, as it is popularly called, is famous for its plethora of painted havelis, all commendable pieces of the rich artistic tradition of this region.

Havelis: Shekhawati’s magnificent havelis or mansions, built by rich merchants of the region, 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 blue, maroon, yellow, green and indigo have beautiful wall paintings that adorn their walls.

 

 PRIME SITES:


Harsh Nath Temple ( 11 km ), Jeen Mata Temple ( 29 km ), Lachhmangarh,
Ramgarh, Fathepur: Founded in the mid 15th century by Fateh Khan – a Kayamkhani nawab, the town is noted for unmatched frescoes. Its central location attracted many welthy merchants and has some exquisite havelis-a combination of the Indian and the western styles. Of particular note among these are the Chamariya and Singhania havelis.


Mandawa: Founded in the 18th century, this medieval fort dominates the town with a painted arched gateway adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows. The Chokhani and Ladia havelis and the street with Saraf havelis are some of the splended 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.

Mukundgarh: Known for it fine havelies, the fort is now a heritage hotel.

Dundlod: Known for its fort, and a palace now runing as a heritage hotel.



Nawalgarh: Founded in the 18th century, it has to finest of Shekhawati’s frescoes.



Chirawa: Chirawa is famous for huge havelis. Of particular interest are the havelis of Nand Lal Dalmia, Phool Chand Dalmia, Duli Chand Kakrania & Nemanis. Kakrania and Poddar wells are also worth visiting.

Pilani: The home of the Birlas, the leading industrialists of India. It has a large campus of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science ( BITS) with a beautiful Saraswati Temple, Shiv Ganga. BITS museum, Panchwati and Birla Haveli Museum are also worth visiting.

Surajgarh and Kajara: Surajgarh has an impressive 18th centuries fort, painted temples and havelis while some beautiful 19th century havelis can be seen in Kajara.

Alsisar and Malsisar: Founded in the late and mid 18th centuries respectively, these towns lie at the northern edge of Shekhawati.


CHURU : Famous for the Kothar Haveli, Kanhayya Lal Bagla Haveli, haveing immense paintings of Dhola Maru, Sassi-Punnu, etc and the six storeyed Surana Haveli. The distinactive features of the latter one are its beautiful windows, elegant doors more than, 1100 in number.


Salasar Balaji: A famous temple dedicated to Hanumanji is located here.

Ratangarh: The massive fort, built in 1820 A.D. by the Raja of Bikaner-Ratan Sing, is situated on the Agra Bikaner highway.

Sardar Shahar ( 46 km ), Dudhwa Khara ( 36 km ): A sprawling historical village lying in the Thar desert. One can enjoy the rural life and camel safaris in the village.

Tal Chhapar ( 100 km ): Home to the endangered species of black buck and some migratory birds.




 WHERE TO STAY:

Sikar – Jhunjhunu ( Shekhawati Circuit )
Shekhawati means garden of Shekha. It is not a single village or town but a large area in north-eastern Rajasthan which lies between Bikaner, Jaipur and Delhi and comprises the Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts. Shekhawati is known the world over for its exquisite frescoes that adorn the walls and the ceilings of the buildings here. Often called an open-air museum, no where else in the world is there such a large concentration of frescoes. These frescoes are an interesting depiction of the history of this region. The earlier frescoes were financed by the Rajput till 1820 and later the rich business community-the Marwaris, patronized this art. The themes of these frescoes range from mythological to western scenes. It is quite normal to find scenes from Lord Krishna’s life, in one room and foreigners in hats, suits and gowns, in another. Some important havelies can be found in Sikar, Nawalgarh, Dundlod, Lachhmangarh, Mandawa and Fatehpur.


Piramal Haveli, Baggar

Shekhawati is the region of the painted havelies of the Marwaris, the trading community of Rajasthan. The Marwaris migrated to different parts of the country, amassed huge fortunes and ploughed back some of it into their homes. Seth Piramal Chaturbhuj Makharia ( 1892-1958) was one of Shekhawati’s leading traders and his haveli in Baggar is one of the grandest in the region.