SHEKHAWATI REGION OF RAJASTHAN 

The Land of splendidly fresco's and havelis / mansions- mostly constructed by the prosperous merchants, between the 18th and 20th centuries. Shekhawati region lies north of Jaipur. This was the place where Rajasthani Businessmen started constructing their mansions or havelis. These havelis dates back to 18th and 19th Century. The place is mainly of the Rajput and the Marwari communities.

This place has its own beauty and charm. It is famous for different kind of safaris like
Horse Safari, Camel Safari and the Jeep Safari.

Places to see in Shekhawati

The open art gallery 
The semi desert region of Shekhawati is a colourful and has its own charm. 
It is popularly known as the "The open air-art-gallery" and has numerous havelis painted and with frescos, The region has a rich artistic tradition. '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. It comprises of the districts of Jhunjhunu and Sikar. The region has a colourful profusion of art and life with very friendly people around.

Havelis 
Beautiful havelis of Shekhawati was constructed by merchants during medevial times.
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 up to 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. 

Dundlod 
Dundlod is the  heart of the Shekhawati region. The forts here are from 1750. The Diwan Khana furnished with portraits, hangings and period furniture is worth seeing. It also houses a library and portraits done in European style. The fort has now been converted into a hotel. Worth seeing are the Goenka havelis and others with some of the nice frescoes. 

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. 

Mukandgarh 
Built around a temple square, Mukundgarh has a good handicraft market. Besides textiles, the brass ware 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. 


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. 


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. 

Harsh Nath Temple (11 km)
An ancient 10th century temples situated on the Harsh Nath hills. 

Jeen Mata Temple (29 km) 
Believed to have been built a thousand years ago the temple is the venue of a colourful fair held twice in a year during `Navaratras'. 

Rambagh 
Founded in the late 18th century by the Poddars. The Shani Temple of the Saturday God has delicately painted frescoes. Marvelous cenotaphs of the Poddars have exquisitely painted ceilings. The Ganga Temple and some beautiful havelis add interest to the town. 

Lachhmangarh Fort 
One of the most imposing forts in the Shekhawati region, Lachhmangarh commands a bird’s eye view of the town modeled to resemble the city plan of Jaipur. Founded in the early 19th century by Raja Lachhman Singh of Sikar, the town has some lovely havelis. 

Bagad 
Home of the Rungtas,Bagad was founded by Nagar Pathans in the mid 15th century A.D. It has a reservoir built by the Ojha family. 


Alsisar and Malsisar 
Founded in the late and mid 18th centuries respectively, these towns lie at the northern edge of Shekhawati.The angular style of frescoes in various colours make the trip to these town a memorable one. Beside the fort in Alsisar, the Jhunjhunuwala havelis and a well complex are other interesting structures. The fort, temples and havelis along the main street are also worth a visit. 

Mehansar 
Founded in the mid 18th century ,the Sone-Chandi-ki-Haveli and Raghunath temple with beautiful paintings resembling the Bikaner school of art are worth seeing. 

Churu 
Famous for the Kothar Haveli (1915 AD) Kanhayya Lal Bagla Haveli (1870 AD) having immense paintings of Dhola Maru, Sassi-Punnu, etc. and the six storeyed Surana Haveli. The distinctive features of the latter one are its beautiful windows,elegant doors-more than 1,100 in number. 

Salasar Balaji 
A famous temple of Hanumanji. 

Ratangarh 
Built in 1820 AD by the Raja of Bikaner-Ratan Singh, is situated on the Agra Bikaner highway. The market place is in the shape of a cross suggesting that the city was planned before construction. An array of stately havelis can be seen around the Clock Tower at the main crossing 

Sardar Shahar (46 km): 
This enchanting desert town has elegant havelis adorned with colourful paintings and carved woodwork. 

Dudhwa Khara (36 km): 
A sprawling historical village lying in the Thar desert. Besides enchanting topography the village has huge exquisitely designed havelis. One can enjoy the rural life and camel safaris in the village. 

Tal Chhapar (100 km): 
Home to the endangered species of black buck and some migratory birds.