Shekhawati
Shekhawati region of Rajasthan consists of
the areas falling under Sikar, Jhunjhunu and some parts of Churu, Nagaur and
Jaipur. There are thousands of Villages and Towns which comes under Shekhawati
region. Shekhawati is famous for its rich heritage and beautiful architectures
full of fresco paintings , hence also known as “open air art gallery”. Now a
days Shekhawati is the most favorite tourist destination for those visiting
India to experience this heritage rich territory. Many of these old heritage
Havelis and other buildings (Mansions, Forts) are now converted in to hotels
and guest house. Shekhawati is truly a blessing for all art lovers who are in
to architecture and old painted sculptures. Shekhawati style of architecture is
unique in itself. The Mansions (Havelis) , Step Wells (Bawadi) , Charitable
Inns (Dharamshalas), Cenotaph (Chhatris)
and Forts made by Shekhawat Rajput rulers and Marwari community is
beautifully painted with divine and contemporary pictures ranging from Hindu
Gods to British Raj to Trains to Telephones and more.
Top Most
tourist Destinations in Shekhawati
Nawalgarh - Named after its founder Thakur Nawal Singh
(son of the most successful ruler of Shekhawati, Shardul Singh), Nawalgarh was
a prosperous town in Shekhawati region. Some of the affluent business clan of
India today trace their origin from Nawalgarh. Prominent among these is the
Goenka family. The havelis of the town - Aath haveli, Murarka Haveli, Khedwal
Bhawan, Bhagton ki Haveli and Anandi Lal Poddar Haveli - are its prime
attraction. The frescoes and mural paintings are extremely attractive and
reflect the skills of the workmen who created them. Other attraction of
Nawalgarh is Ganga Mai Temple.
Dundlod - A small village in the Shekhawati region is known
for a small fort built in the 18th century by Kesri Singh, youngest son of
Sardul Singh. The fort has a Diwan Khana with portraits and period furnitures
as well as a small library. The fort now serves as a hotel. Other attractions
to be visited here are Tuganram Goenka Haveli, SatyaNarayan Temple and Jagathia
Haveli. This village is 7 kms north of Nawalgarh.
Fatehpur - Established by Fateh Khan, a Muslim Nawab in
15th century, Fatehpur was captured by the Shekhawat Rajputs in the 18th
century. The place boasts of some of the best fresco paintings of the region,
however, unfortunately, the havelis housing them are more often locked. The
worth seeing havelis in this place are Geori Shankar Haveli, Mahavir Prasad
Goenka Haveli, Nand Lal Devra Haveli and Jagannath Singhania Haveli. There is
also the Jagannath Singhania Chattri with beautiful garden which is worth
visiting.
Ramgarh - Around 20 km from Fatehpur lies Ramgarh
which was founded by a group of affluent Poddar merchant in the 18th century.
The primary attraction of the town is Ram Gopal Poddar Chhatri that has
beautiful scenes of Ramayana painted on its ceilings. Fresco paintings in Shani
Mandir (Saturn Temple) are also eye catchers. Other attraction of the place
include Ganga Temple, Ganes Temple, Tarachand Ghanshyamdas Poddar Haveli and
Baij Nath Ruia Haveli.
Jhunjhunu - Currently a district head quarter, Jhunjhunu
was founded by Kaimkhani Nawabs in the 15th century. Places worth visiting in
this town are Badani Chand Well, Mertani Baori, Ajit Sagar, Dargah of
Kamrud-din Shah, Badal Fort, Khetri Mahal, Bihariji Temple, Rani Sati Temple
and Forest Ganj. The significant havelis of this place are Modi Haveli, Kaniram
Narsingh Das Tiberwala Haveli, MohanDas Ishwar Das Modi Haveli and Narudin Farooqi
Haveli.
Bissau - Nearly 32 km north west of Jhunjhunu is a
small town known as Bissau. The town was founded by Kesri Singh and has seen
numerous ups and down. Important attractions here include Chhatri of Hammir
Singh, Haveli of Girdarilal Sigtia and Motiram Jasraj Sigtia Haveli. The last
one today serves as a junior school.
Mahansar - Around 6 km from Bissau is another small
village, Mahansar which was founded by Nawal Singh in the 18th century. The
village does not overflows with attractions, yet some of the havelis with their
fine paintings are worth visiting. Prominent among these is the Sona ki Dukan
Haveli which has exquisite meenakari work to delight the visitors. Sahaj Ram
Poddar Chhatri is also worth visiting.
Mandawa - One of the most visited destinations in the
Shekhawati region, Mandawa came into limelight in the 18th century. It has an
imposing fort, Castle Mandawa that serves as a heritage hotel today. Other
attractions of the town include the havelis of Chokhanias, Goenkas Nevatia &
Ladia and Saraf. Parasrampura - The tiny village preserves some of the oldest
and most beautiful paintings of the Shekhawati region. The paintings on the
inner portion of the dome of Thakur Shardul Singh cenotaph, Shamji Saraf Haveli
and Gopinathji Mandir is worth appreciating.
Sikar - Now a district headquarters, Sikar was once
the largest thikana (feudatory) under the Jaipur State. Important attractions
here are the havelis of Biyani, Murarka, Somani, Sagarmal Sodhani and Madho
Niwas. The Sikar Fort, Jublee Hall, Jain Temples, Gopinath Temple, Raghunath
Temple, Jeen Mata Temple and Madan Mohan Temple in and around Sikar are also
worth visiting.
Mukundgarh - Mukundgarh is a small town developed around
a temple square. The Mukundgarh Fort serves as a heritage hotel. Tourists can
pay a visit to the Kanoria and Ganeriwala Havelis and also shop for local
handicrafts. Mukundgarh is highly known for its brass, iron scissors and
textiles. Churu - Though Churu does not come in the Shekhawati region strictly,
yet its history of traders and caravan outpost connects it with other places in
Shekhawati. Place worth visiting here are the Kanhaiya Lal Bagla Haveli,
Kothari Haveli, Surana Haveli, Poddar Haveli, Jain Temple, Balaji Temple, Ganga
Temple, Taknet Chhatri and not to forget the Churu Fort.
Khetri - The second richest feudatory of the Jaipur
state, Khetri was established in the 18th century. Prominent places worth
visiting are Raghunath Temple, Bhopagarh Fort, Panna Lal Sha ka Talab, Ram
Krishna Mission, Sukh Mahal and Hari Singh Temple. Pilani - This small village
gained prominence as the home of wealthy Birla family. Today, the place is more
known for its educational significance. For tourists sightseeing, there is BITS
museum, Shiva, Ganga, Sarswati Temple and the Panchwati Temple.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, amazing blog!
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