INDIA - City Information - Shekhawati

The open art gallery of Shekhawati : 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 of Shekhawati : 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.

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