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Decide your favourite colour and pick a city to
match, Rajasthan's kaleidoscope of colours covers all.
Bastions of history, bristling with memories,
these splendid treasures stand battling the vageries of time.
 Fort Amber
The City Palace, Jaipur
Wind Palace, Jaipur
Chittaurgarh Fort
City Palace, Udaipur
Jaisalmer Fort
Mehrangarh
Fort
Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur
The desert sands shimmer and pulsate with an
energy and a spirit of festivity permeates the air, every season
provides many reasons to celebrate.
Camel Festival
Mewar Festival
Elephant Festival
Gangaur Festival
Pushkar Festival
Desert Festival
Ride a camel over the dunes or horses through
the hillside, speed ahead in a jeep and camp under open skies.
A delicate ecosystem, part desert part marshy
lands and even a small section of lush water filled valleys, sports a
wildlife rich in variety.
Whichever Budget Hotel you choose you will
always experience a traditional hospitality that you may never want to
forget.
Jaipur Budget Hotels
Jaisalmer Budget Hotels
Bharatpur Budget Hotels
Bikaner Budget Hotels
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Rajasthan Tours Travel » Fascinating
Cities of Rajasthan » Shekhawati
Shekhawati Rajasthan
A
land of stout warriors and tall tales, Shekhawati is not just a fort or a
town it is a region which encompasses similar towns each of which tells a
classic story. This semi desert region in the north of Rajasthan is
situated entirely in the triangular circuit of Delhi-Bikaner-Jaipur. Named
after its ruler Rao Shekha, Shekhawati literally means the 'Garden of
Shekha.'
The towns of Shekhawati are famous for their amazing painted havelis. The
walls of these towns tell timeless tales of valour, passion, betrayal,
celebration and chivalry. An ode to history encapsulated and made forever
immortal. Such is the appeal of these murals, mosaics and frescoes that
this region is dubbed as "The Open Art Gallery of Rajasthan".
Most of the buildings are dated from 18th century to early 20th century.
There are also forts, minor castles, mosques, wells called baoris and
chattris to discover. The murals mostly depict mythological themes, huge
animals, the arrival of the British and the steam locomotives. The Rajputs
were more inclined towards themes of historical events, personages'
folk-heroes and the prominent war scenes, while the Marwaris concentrated
more on religious themes but with the passage of time the themes too began
to divert towards more modern views.
The Story of Shekhawati
In the olden times Shekhawati was an important link in the Southern Silk
route and its towns were prosperous. When the port towns of Bombay and
Calcutta were set up, the merchant families - Goenkas, Poddars,
Singhania's, Ruias, Birlas and many more migrated towards these more
lucrative centres of trade and industry and slowly established a
stranglehold over commerce between India and Britain. Here they earned
unparalleled wealth and sent huge sums home, which were used for building
havelis, social welfare, wells, reservoirs, schools etc.
The Towns of Shekhawati
Mandawa
Lies at the heart of Shekhawati and with its cluster of hotels, is the
most suitable base for exploring the region, the best of the painted towns
are within a 50-km radius from here. Some of the important Havelis in
Mandawa itself are Chokani, Ladia, Binsidhar, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli,
Binsidhar Newatia haveli and the Gulab Rai Ladi Haveli .
Bissau
Is a charming little oasis to the noth-west of Mandawa. Here time stands
still and the atmosphere is laden with the post-colonial stupor. Its
Keshargarh Fort is over 250 years old and definitely worth a dekko.
Dundlod
Located around 30 km south east of Mandawa, is a quaint little town. The
Dera Dundlod Quila or fort made in 1750 showcases the traditional blend of
Rajput and Mughal architecture. Another of its attractions is the
Satyanarayan temple that has a 100 ft deep well.
Nawalgarh
Is one of the biggest and busiest towns in Shekhawati. Home to many of
the very rich Marwari merchants, this is also the place to find some of
the finest frescoes in the entire region. Check out the well restored
Poddar Haveli and the little Birla Quila that it contains within, its
mirrors and murals, lustrous and colourful are sure to delight. Its other
attractions include the Aath haveli, Morarka Haveli, Saraogi Haveli,
Sheksarai haveli and the Chaucharia Haveli.
Ramgarh
Once the wealthiest of all of Shekhawati's towns Ramgarh is still called
Sethon ka Ramgarh ( Ramgarh of the Merchants ). Here again you will
encounter some beautiful frescoes of gods, royals and even Europeans.
Jhunjhnu
The biggest town in the Shekhawati region, Jhunjhnu is the district
administrative head quarters. It is located at a distance of 180 km from
Jaipur and 245 km from Delhi. The town is well connected by train and road
from Jaipur and Delhi. The town has decent accommodation facilities for a
comfortable stay and can be an ideal base while exploring the Shekhawati
region.
Shopping in Shekhawati
To the shopper Shekhawati offers the greatest gift that any town can
give, a piece of itself. Today the tourist can take home a piece of
Shekhawati's famous art and decorate their walls at home, for these
traditional murals are being recreated on paper and also on cloth.
To turn a corner of your home into a haveli you could take back some of
the beautiful furniture sold here, carved and decorated chests, chairs,
cradles and low tables and stools. Each object is elaborately designed and
decorated. The embilleshments range from inlays of brass sheet work or
paintings of dancing figures and with hunting scenes. Ramgarh is renowned
for its carved wooden doors and chairs.
Weather Watch
Shekhawati like the rest of Rajasthan has a desert type of climate. Hot
summers and cooler winters. The temperature in summer goes upto 41.2 C
(Max) - 29 C (Min) and winter sees the temperature at 30 C (Max) - 10.5 C
(Min). The monsoon hits between July and Mid September making the cliamte
very humid. The best time to visit are the winter months from end of
September uptill March.
Getting There
Air : Sangner Airport at Jaipur. The area could be
easily accessed through Jaipur airport.
Rail : Well connected to cities in Rajasthan.
Shekhawati Express connects Delhi to Shekhawati.
Road : The Shikar and Jhunjhunu are connected to
Rajasthan. The distance between Sikar and Jaipur is 114 kms.
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