| Rajasthan is where all the country’s similes and
metaphors appear to have come together to create a visual extravaganza.
Majestic palaces and rugged forts, spectacular deserts, wooded hills and
tranquil lakes, bustling towns and quiet villages, amazing flora and fauna
and of course, the colorful and vibrant people of Rajasthan form an intricate
tapestry of mysticism, grandeur and rusticity. Explore this land of the
maharajas and experience the yore of a bygone era in a truly fascinating
style. |
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.
Shekhawati Travel Circuit, Rajasthan Travel Circuit
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