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INDIA
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History |
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Sightseeing |
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MAP |
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Holiday |
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The Shekhawati region lies north of
Jaipur. This was the land where Marwari businessmen
started constructing their mansions or havelis in the
18th and 19th Centuries. The two major communities of
this region were the Rajputs and the Marwaris - or one
with the will to fight and die for his honour and the
other a businessman. During the British period, trade
rivalry pushed the Marwaris to port, but the love for
their land was still very strong. While wars and
treaties decided the fate of a few and the conditions
of the peasantry remains the same.
Reaching Shekhawati
By Air
Nearest Airport Jaipur
By Bus
Busses available from Jaipur.
By Train
Available from Jaipur.
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TOURIST PLACES |
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The open art gallery
The semidesert region of Shekhawati is a colourful
fantasy having fascination uniquely of is 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. 'Shekhawati', meaning "the land of
Shekha's clan" derives its name from Rao Shekha (1433
AD-1488 AD) a scion of the Kachhwaha family of Jaipur.
Earlier a part of the former Jaipur state, it now
comprises of the districts of Jhunjhunu and Sikar.
Initially the region had a blank monochromatic look
but with subsequent historical and social developments
it has blossomed into a colourful profusion of art and
life for almost 2 centuries from 1750 AD to 1930 AD.
Havelis
Although the region has lost its importance as a
centre of trade, its importance today lies in the
splendidly frescoed havelis or mansions- mostly
constructed by the prosperous merchants, between the
18th and 20th centuries.
The area being arid and opportunities being limited
locally, enterprising men moved out to carve niches
for themselves in business. Today the splendidly
painted walls of the people of Shekhawati.
The popular design was usually a plain faceted with
the accent on the internal courtyard. The main
entrance is usually through a carved wooden gate
leading into a courtyard, which in turn leads to
another courtyard. Unlike the Mughal havelis, the
havelis of Shekhawati consist of two courtyards, one
outer and one inner. The larger ones however have up
to four courtyards and are two storeys high, The
windows are exquisitely latticed and carved. Most of
them feature mirror work and mural work while others
are embellished with paintings. The facades, the
gateways, the courtyard wall, the parapets and the
ceilings were all covered with frescoes. Intricate
wooden carvings with ornate iron and brass fittings
demonstrate the owner’s wealth. It was from the
latticed windows on the balconies and over the
courtyards that women viewed the world. The havelis,
apart from providing a residence, also served to wall
in the domestic life of a family. They represented the
rigid, but ostentatious lifestyle of the people.
Dundlod
This quaint is in the heart of the Shekhawati region.
The fort here dates back to 1750. Steps lead up to the
Diwan Khana furnished with portraits, hangings and
period furniture. It also houses a library and
portraits done in European style can be seen here. The
fort has now been converted into a hotel. The Goenka
havelis and other with beautiful frescoes
Sikar
Sikar was the wealthiest thikana (feudatory) under the
Jaipur state. The 17th century fort here, was built
when Sikar was an important trading centre. Sites
worth visiting here are the market, the clock tower
and the painted Biyani, Murarka and Somani havelis.
There is one Haveli Painted only in blue, quite like
the typical Chinese blue and are the Sagarmal Sodhani
Haveli, Madho Niwas Kothi, the Jubilee Hall and the
Fort. The Jain temple as also the temples of Gopinath
and Raghunath and Madan Mohan deserve a visit. In the
neighborhood lie the Jeen Mata temple and harsh Nath
temple.
Nawalgarh
Founded in 1737, by Thakur Nawal Singh, this town
boasts of some of the finest frescoes in the
Shekhawati region. The town has a colourful bazar and
a fort, new a little disfigured, yet worth of
attention. there are numerous havelis; prominent among
them are the Aath (eight) Haveli complex, Anaadilal
Poddar haveli, Jodhraj Patodia haveli, Bansidhar
Bhagat Haveli, Chokhani heavily and Hotel Roop Niwas
Palace.
Mukandgarh
Built around a temple square, Mukundgarh has a good
handicraft market. Besides textiles, the brass ware
and iron scissors made here, are of good quality. The
fort is now a heritage property. The Kanoria and
Ganeriwala Havelis carry fine examples of fresco
painting.
Khetri
Founded in the 18th century, Khetri was the second
wealthiest Thikama under Jaipur and is known for the
painting abetting the Raghunath Temple and the
Bhopalgarh Fort. Sites not to be missed are the Panna
Lal Shah ka Talab (water tank), Rama Krishna Mission,
Sukh Mahal and Hari singh Temple. Ajit Sagar,
Rameshwar Das Bada ka Ashram at Bassi and Baghore Fort
constitute the excursions one can take from here.
Jhunjhunu
Here the notable havelis are Nar Singh Das Tibrewal,
Ishwar Das and Mohan Das Modi and the Khaitan Haveli.
The Khetri Mahal and Bihariji Temple are also finely
frescoed. Laxmi Nath Tample Mertani Baori, qamrudin
Shah ki Dragah, Ajeet Sagar, Birdi Chand Well and
Badalgarh are other places worth visiting.
Mandawa
Founded in the mid 18th Century, Mandawa’s skyline
today is dominated by an imposing mirage like fort now
turned into a hotel. A painted archway decorated with
Lord Krishna and his cowherds leads to the bazaar. The
terrace of castle Mandawa offers a panoramic view of
the town. The Mandawa family’s collection includes
ceremonial costumes and precious arms with handles of
jade.
Churu
This town boasts of the Kanhaiya Lal Bagla Haveli
(1870), the Kothari Haveli (1915) and the Surana
Haveli with more then 1,100 doors and windows. The
Poddar Haveli, jain Temple, Balaji Temple, Ganga
Temple, Churu Fort, Taknet Chhatri (cenotaph), Nathji
Ka Dhara, Sethani ka Johra, Nagarshree, Chandmal
Banthia Haveli, Sagarmal Vaidya haveli, Bajranglal
Mantri Haveli, Parakh Haveli, etc. are some places
worth a visit.
Bissau
Founded in the 18th century, this town has fine
havelis including the Sigtia, Khemka, Tibriwal and
Kedia Havelis. The chhatris or cenotaphs of the
thakurs are also attractive.
Harsh Nath Temple (11 km)
An ancient 10th century temples situated on the Harsh
Nath hills.
Jeen Mata Temple (29 km)
Believed to have been built a thousand years ago the
temple is the venue of a colourful fair held twice in
a year during `Navaratras'.
Rambagh
Founded in the late 18th century by the Poddars. The
Shani Temple of the Saturday God has delicately
painted frescoes. Marvelous cenotaphs of the Poddars
have exquisitely painted ceilings. The Ganga Temple
and some beautiful havelis add interest to the town.
Lachhmangarh Fort
One of the most imposing forts in the Shekhawati
region, Lachhmangarh commands a bird’s eye view of the
town modeled to resemble the city plan of Jaipur.
Founded in the early 19th century by Raja Lachhman
Singh of Sikar, the town has some lovely havelis.
Bagad
Home of the Rungtas,Bagad was founded by Nagar Pathans
in the mid 15th century A.D. It has a reservoir built
by the Ojha family.
Chirawa
A popular trading town between Churu and Loharu,
Chirawa is famous for huge havelis. Of particular
interest are the havelis of Nand Lal Dalmia,Phool
Chand Dalmia,Tara Chand Dalmia,Mangal Chand
Dalmia,Duli Chand Kakrania & Nemanis. Kakrania and
Poddar wells are also worth visiting.
Pilani
The home of the Bridals , 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 century 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.The angular style of frescoes in various
colours make the trip to these town a memorable one.
Beside the fort in Alsisar,the Jhunjhunuwala havelis
and a well complex are other interesting structures.
The fort, temples and havelis along the main street
are also worth a visit.
Mehansar
Founded in the mid 18th century ,the
Sone-Chandi-ki-Haveli and Raghunath temple with
beautiful paintings resembling the Bikaner school of
art are worth seeing.
Churu
Famous for the Kothar Haveli (1915 AD) Kanhayya Lal
Bagla Haveli (1870 AD) having immense paintings of
Dhola Maru,Sassi-Punnu, etc. and the six storeyed
Surana Haveli. The distinctive features of the latter
one are its beautiful windows,elegant doors-more than
1,100 in number.
Salasar Balaji
A famous temple dedicated to Hanumanji is located
here.
Ratangarh
The massive fort, built in 1820 AD by the Raja of
Bikaner-Ratan Singh, is situated on the Agra Bikaner
highway. The market place is in the shape of a cross
suggesting that the city was planned before
construction. An array of stately havelis can be seen
around the Clock Tower at the main crossing
Sardar Shahar (46 km):
This enchanting desert town has elegant havelis
adorned with colourful paintings and carved woodwork.
Dudhwa Khara (36 km):
A sprawling historical village lying in the Thar
desert. Besides enchanting topography the village has
huge exquisitely designed havelis. 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.
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