With an area of 30,000 sq km, Shekhawati is a semi - desert area located in the northeastern part of Rajasthan. The area of Shekhawati covers several villages and towns in Rajasthan, which can be approached from Bikaner, Jaipur, and Delhi and comprises the Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts. Small towns dot these two districts and contain within themselves some of the most elaborate havelis, stepwells, and temples. A traveler's delight, Shekhawati has some truly marvelous treasures that would make your vacation in Rajasthan, India truly memorable.
Shekhawati derives its name from a local medieval chieftain called Rao Shekha, and forms part of the Marwar subdivision of Rajasthan. Shekhawati lay on an important caravan route, which connected Delhi and Sind (now in Pakistan) with the Gujarati coast. The merchant Marwari and Rajputs landowners of its small market towns prospered as a result of flourishing trade and taxes from the through traffic. These Marwaris competed with each other to construct grand, profusely decorated havelis.
In fact on your tour to Rajasthan, you must not miss out on the extravagant havelis of Shekhawati. Such is the appeal of the havelis that this region is dubbed as "open art gallery of Rajasthan". The plethora of painted Havelis in rich artistic tradition makes it commendable and fascinating.
On your tour to Shekhawati you can explore the towns and villages that form a part of the region. The main towns are Nawalgarh, Mandawa, Jhunjhunu, Fatehpur, Dundlod and Mukandgarh. And in each of these are dozens of havelis, most of them pretty similar. There are some, however, that are a cut above the rest, and if you want to see good, well-maintained (and sometimes delightful) frescoes, these are places you should include in your itinerary. In both Mandawa and Nawalgarh, you must visit the Chokhani havelis; the inner apartments of the havelis are closed to the public, but the façades are extensively painted. Within Mandawa, is the Jhunjhunwala haveli, which boasts of a room profusely painted in gold. There is literally one haveli down every street, and exploring these delightful mansions is an experience we enjoy thoroughly as we sweat our way through the dusty towns and villages dotting this area. Mukandgarh, Fatehpur, Nawalgarh, Mandawa, Jhunjhunu -- each has its share of havelis, which you can visit on your vacations in Shekhawati, Rajasthan.
Eindian Vacations offers tour bookings, and Rajasthan travel packages for Shekhawati, India. To book your tour, or for more information, please fill up the form below.
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