|
Home
|
About Us
|
Contact Us
|
North
India |
South India
|
West India
|
East
India |
Central India
|Site Map
|
Email
Home > India Tours >
Rajasthan Destinations > Shekhawati
Shekhawati
THE OPEN ART GALLERY
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
develpoments it has blossomed into a colourful profusion of art and life for
almost 2 centuries from 1750 AD to 1930 AD.
HAVELIS
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 upto 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.
THE PEOPLE
The Shekhawati region lies north of Jaipur. This was the land where Marwari
businessmen started constructing their mansions or havelis in the 18th and
19th Centuries. The two major communities of this region were the Rajputs
and the Marwaris - or one with the will to fight and die for his honour and
the other a businessman. During the British period, trade rivalry pushed the
Marwaris to port, but the love for their land was still very strong. While
wars and treaties decided the fate of a few and the conditions of the
peasantry remains the same.
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.
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
MUKANDGARH
Built around a temple square, Mukundgarh has a good handicraft market.
Besides textiles, the brassware 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. The havelis
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.
|
Rajasthan
Destinations
