Discover Rajasthan - A comprehensive guide to Rajasthan, Destination

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 upto 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.

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.

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.

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

MUKANDGARH

Built around a temple square, Mukundgarh has a good handicraft market. Besides textiles, the brassware 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. The havelis

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.

DESTINATIONS

THE OPEN ART GALLERY

HAVELIS

THE PEOPLE