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Location
: Situated in North-East Rajasthan, Distance
: New Delhi (163 km), Jaipur (150 km), Population
: 25,000, Clothing : Summer-light tropical/Winter
light woollen, Languages : Hindi
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The semidesert region of Shekhawati is a colourful fantasy having
a fascinating 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 traditional of this
region. ‘Shekhawati’, meanings the land of Shekhs
clan derives its name from Rao Shekha (1433 A.D.-1488 A.D. ) a
section 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 development it has blossomed
into a colourful profusion of art and life for almost 2 centuries
from 1750 A.D. to 1930 A.D.
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MAJOR
ATTRACTIONS
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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 the blue, maroon, yellows,green and indigo have
beautiful wall Paintings that adorn their walls. The earlier wall
Paintings (1830 A.D. -1900 A.D.) were largely based on the mythological
themes, depicting local legends, animals, portraits, hunting and
wrestling scenes and a glimpse of everday life. The turn of the
19th century saw the appearance of new motifs, an outcome of the
Raj’s influence upon the Indian culture. Now cars, replaced
elephants and traditional Indian miniatures mingled with naturalism
of western Paintings to produce interesting hybrid results. The
mythological themes depicting gods, lithographs and photographs.
Trains, cars, balloons, telephones gramophones, English men in
hunting attires and portraits of the haveli owners primely dressed
were painted all over the walls-thus making the havelis interesting
for both Indian and foreign travelers.
Sikar : Founded in the late 17th century,Sikar was the
largest’thikana’(Feudal state) under Jaipur. The fort
and temples of Gopinath, Raghunath and Madan Mohan with commendable
frescoes are worth visiting. The jubilee Hall, Madho Niwas Kothi,
Biwani Havelli, Sodhani Haveli, the Jain temple and a large market
are other places of interest.
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PRIME
SITES
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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’.
Lachhmangrh : 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.
Ramgarh : Founded in the late 18th century by the Poddars.
The Shani Temple of the Saturday God has delicately painted frescoes.
Marvellous cenotaphs of the Poddars have exquisitely painted ceilings.
The Ganga Temple and some beautiful havelis add interest to the
town.
Fatehpur : Founded in the mid 15th century by Fateh Khan
- a Kayamkhani nawab the town is noted for unmatched frescoes.
Its central location attracted many wealthy 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.
Khatu Shyamji : The village is famous for the Shri Shyamji
Temple, built in white marble.
Sakambhari : Famous for its 7th century temple dedicated
to Sankari Mata, the town is surrounded by hills on three sides.
An ideal picnic spot.
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JHUNJHUNU
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The capital of Shekhawati, it is of the largest towns of the district.
The town was founded by the Kayamkhani nawabs in the mid 15th
century A.D. and remained under their control until it was taken
over by the Rajput ruler Sardul Singh in 1730 A.D. The district
town has some splendidly painted havelis. Easily accessible of
these are those of Narssingh Das Tibriwal, Ishwar Das-Mohan Das
Modi and the Khaitans. The most interesting monument is the Khatri
Mahal (the Wind Palace) dating back to around 1760 A.D. with elegant
lines. The Sri Bihariji Temple is noted for its lovely murals.
Other places worth visiting include-Badalgarh, Jorawargarh, Mertani
Baori, Kamruddin Shah ki Dargah, Birdi Chand ka Kaun, Ajit Sagar
and a Jain temple.
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PRIME
SITES
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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 splendid 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 havelis, the fort is now a heritage
hotel.
Dundlod
: Known for its fort, and a palace now running as a heritage
hotel. Havelis of the Goenka family are also famous.
Nawalgarh
: Founded in the 18th century it has the finest of Shekhawati’s
frescoes. Its two old forts and palace hotel with garden and fountains
along with a host of temples known for their architecture and
frescoes add interest to the town.The prominent havelis are of
the Poddars, Bhagats and Dangaichs.
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.
Bissau
: Founded in the mid 18th century,Bissau has splendid
chhatris of its Thakurs and finely painted havelis of Khemka,
Tibriwals and Kedia.
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.
