Shekhawati,
meaning the garden of Shekha, derives its name from Rao Shekha, its former
ruler. Situated in the Delhi-Bikaner-Jaipur triangle, Shekhawati is a semi
desert region in north Rajasthan. Known as the "Open art
gallery of Rajasthan", this region is mainly famous for its amazing
havelis richly painted and decorated. These havelis of Shekhawati in
Rajasthan, India were built by the wealthy merchants of the past. They
served as a measure of the prosperity and success of the merchants. The
grander the haveli, the more prosperous the merchant was believed to be.
There are numerous havelis in Shekhawati, some of them dating back to
the 18th century. They are in rich artistic tradition and the latest one
were built in the early 20th century. From painted murals to carvings to
mirror work, these havelis have their walls and ceilings adorned with
numerous forms of fine art. The frescos of the some havelis even depict
mythological themes as well as images of huge animals. With the passage of
time the themes changed. Some havelis have frescos showing the arrival of
the British and some others highlight steam locomotives and train.
Apart from the havelis, other highpoints of Shekhawati travel and
tourism include forts, minor castles, mosques, step wells (baoris) and royal
cenotaphs (chattris), etc. There are also a number of excursion places near
Shekhawati that add to the tourist appeal of the region. A visit to
Shekhawati will take you back to the bygone era of the city. The massive
havelis, beautiful paintings and other amazing monuments will make your trip
worthwhile.
| » Major
Attractions of Shekhawati |
Havelis : The beautiful and fascinating havelis
of Shekhawati have proved to be a major tourist appeal. Striking
architecture, graceful interiors and massive parapets of the havelis stand
witness to the wealth and prosperity of the Marwari merchants. Adorned with
exquisite murals and delicately latticed and carved windows, these havelis
present an awe-inspiring sight. Almost every havelis is decorated with
magnificent mirror work and paintings festooned with gold or silver leaf.
During the old days, these wooden carvings and gold and silver paintings
were assumed to be symbolical of the owner's status and wealth.
Dundlod : Amongst the other places to see in Shekhawati,
is the town of Dundlod, situated in the center of the Shekhawati region. The
main attractions of the town are its fort and havelis, dating back to the
18th century. The famous havelis of Dundlod are Jagathia and Goenka havelis.
| » Places to
Stay in Shekhawati |
The RTDC has done a lot to retain the traditional flavour in its
hotels in and around Shekhawati. Hotels like RTDC's Khadim, come with AC
Deluxe rooms as well as ordinary rooms, which give a comfortable stay in the
city. There are also Sarai facilities for the pilgrims. The government
sponsored paying guest scheme makes the visitor feel at home.
Air : Indian airlines operates flight to Delhi,
Jaipur, Jodhpur and Mumbai.
Rail : Shekhawatihas
travel links with Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Udaipur, Kota and Delhi.
Road : Shekhawatiis on the main bus and train route. By
road its well connected with Ajmer and Udaipur. There are frequent
connections to these places.
Often called as an Open Air Art Gallery, Shekhawati provides an
amazing experience to those with an eye for art and paintings. Shekhawati
shopping destinations are mostly famous for their excellent handicrafts.
Amongst the numerous handicrafts, the paintings of Shekhawati are quite
popular. You will find some amazing paintings to use as decoration pieces
for your home or even take back as gifts. Especially, the frescos painted on
paper and cloth are truly amazing
Shekhawati weather experiences hot and dry summers. The average
temperature remains in the range of 41.2° C (max) to 29° C (min).
The climatic conditions of Shekhawati, Rajasthan in the winter season are
cooler, but again dry. The average temperature falls in the range of 30°
C (max) to 10.5° C (min). Max 41 ºC, Min 29 ºC (summer); Max
30 ºC, Min 10.5 ºC (winter)
Shekhawati
Tours
