Shekhawati Travel Circuit
Places of Interest: Sikar-
Nawalgarh - Dundlod - Mandawa - fatehpur - Jhunjhunu
The area of Shekhawati covers several villages and towns in north
eastern Rajasthan, which can be approached from Bikaner, Jaipur, and Delhi and
comprises the Sikar and Jhunijhunu districts. Small towns dot these two districts
and contain within themselves some of the most elaborate havelis, stepwells,
and temples. When you travel around this region, you stumble across some truly
marvelous treasures.
Even today, the entire region of Shekhawati is known for its exquisite frescoes
and popularly called the "Open art gallery". No other region, anywhere
in the world, has such a large concentrationof frescoes. This is even more interesting
as the landscape here is totally bare- flat and colourless.
Rao Shekha, the founder of Shekhawati, came topower at the young age of 12 and
established a reign that lasted 43 years. His power grew steadily and he became
a force to reckon with in a very short period. The Rajput nobles who ruled over
the small thikanas, or fiefdoms, became great patrons of art and financed the
frescoes ontheir havelies. Up to the early 19th century the themes were largely
religious. Other historical events, personages, battle scenes, and folk heroes
were also painted in great detail. These paintings were a record of those times.
By the end of the 19th century, there was a slight change inth patroage. The
business community, Marwaris, found itself in a position of strength. When the
East India Company began to make its presence felt in this part of Rajasthan,
it opened several avenues for the hardworking and enterprising Marwari. The
volume of trade increased and the Marwaris began to spread their branches all
over the country. Even after spending several years away from their homeland,
these now successful and wealthy businessmen remained true sons of the soil.
While they lived austerely in their adopted cities,they sent back huge sums
of money to their families. They spent large sums on the welfare of their community
-wells, reservoirs, schools, colleges, dharamshalas and gaushalas were financed.
Most of them had left their families behind and they returned to build some
huge mansions for them. They were in a position to show off their new status
and there was no better way of doing this than commissioning the most intricate
frescoes on their havelies. Very soon it became customary to have a painted
haveli and the artists were kept busy moving from one village to the next. The
demand for these painters kept growing and very soon unskilled painters and
masons too began to get involved in the paintings.The themes of these paintings,
as mantioned earlier,reflected those times and very soon the purely mythological
themes gave way to western influences. Cars,trains,aeroplanes,ships,telephones,foreigners
in hats, suits and gowns began to appear on the walls with scenes from Lord
Krishna's life.
Most of the villages of Shekhawati have kept their rustic charm intact and a
drive around these painted towns can be a wonderful experience. While the painted
mansions are certainly the focal point here, don't miss the unique architectural
style of the havelis. They are marvels of goods design.Several countryards and
inner chambers were designed to keep the women folk safe and comfortable but
segregated. From the outside these havelies looked like huge blocks but were
so ingeniously planned that they provided adequate protection from the harsh
summers. Other monuments to look out for are the step wells, the four-pillared
wells, temples and the dharamshalas.
Some
of the important towns that should not be missed are
Sikar- where the
temples of Gopinath,Raghunath and Madan Mohan are intersting as are the Biyani
havelies with their unusual blue and white colours. Two other important temples
in the vicinity are the Harsh Nath temple and the Jeen Mata temple. The fort
for
Lachmangarh is one of the most impressive and imposing in Shekhawati.
Try to get a bird's eye view of the town below- it has been designed to resemble
the planned city of Jaipur.
Ramgarh is famous not only for the havelis
of the Poddars but also for its rustic wood furniture.
Fatehpur has some
beautiful frescoes in the Indian as well as western styles. Particularly noteworthy
are the Chamariya and Singhania havelies.
Khatu Shyamji is more famous
for its temple of Shri Shyamji and draws devotees throughout the year. People
walk several miles to offer homage at the temple from all over India.
Nawalgarh is home to some of the leading merchant families of the country.
This is also the place to find some of the finest frescoes in the entire region.
Look for Roop Niwas, Poddar haveli, Saat Haveli, a few old temples,and forts
and a heritage hotel.
Dundlod is known for its fort and a palace that
has been turned into a heritage hotel. The Goenka havelis are also famous. The
fort of
Mandawa dominates the town and it was one of the earliest heritage
hotels in this area. The Chokhani, Ladia and Saraf havelies should be will find
something to fascinate you and hold your interest. If carrying excess baggage
does not daunt you, then buy the rustic, carved wooden furniture and other items
for your home. Quaint little wooden things that belong to the late 19th century,
or may be the early 20th century,can be found all over this region. If pots
and pans interest you then do look out for some traditional cooking vessels
in the markets.
Interested
? Book Tour through our Members
Travel Circuits in Rajasthan:
Dhundhar Circuit | Brij
- Mewar Circuit | Hadoti Circuit | Mewar
Circuit | Vagad Circuit | Godwar
Circuit | Desert Circuit | Merwara
Mewar Circuit | Shekhawati Circuit
