Shekhawati, known as Rajasthan’s open-air art gallery, is a land of architecture and rich cultural heritage showcasing Rajasthani traditions. Tagged as Brahmarishi Desh, this place includes Sikar, Charu, Jhunjhunn district, and parts of Jaipur and Naguar.
The buildings, Havelis and temples you see here date back to the 18th to 20th centuries. And, years after they are now known as the world’s largest open-air art gallery. The forts demonstrate the paintings of the Rajput lifestyle, Gosa and Goddesses, Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, and their beautiful life of simplicity. The article further takes you on a tour illustrating the artistic culture of Rajasthan.
Rajasthan’s Open-Air Art Gallery- Brief History
Ramgarh Shekhawati or Ramgarh Sethan became one of the most prosperous towns of India during the 19th century because of its affluent business families known as ‘Seths’. The town was established in 1791 when some families such as the Poddars who were originally from other regions such as Sikar were encouraged to settle in the region by local rulers. Sitting at a distance of 50 km from Jhunjhunu, Ramgarh Shekhawati was known for its historical structures and was recently officially declared as a heritage town by the Rajasthan Government in the year 2017.
Luxurious Resorts and Historic Haveli Stays in Shekhawati
Shekhawati is also a famous tourist destination because it is peaceful and tourists are able to get a fresh lease of energy. Some of the famous resorts of the region are Alsisar Mahal Shekhawati, Hotel Jharjhar Khas, and The Piramal Haveli of Neemrana. These are some of the most luxurious resorts offering great hospitality, beautiful views and still affordable. The heritage hotel is a haveli built by Rao Pratap Singh and the government listed it in 2018 among the most historic hotels in the world.
Best Time to Visit Shekhawati and Experience Its Culture
The most suitable months for a visit to Shekhawati are October to January when the climate is favorable for tourism. The days are warm, while the nights are comparatively cooler, which is quite suitable for the visitors. Also, February is a good time to be in the Shekhawati region because of the Shekhawati fair which will showcase Rajasthani arts and crafts, food, dances, and games.
How to Get to Shekhawati in Rajasthan
To reach Shekhawati, you can start your journey from Churu, which is about 230 kilometres from Delhi and has a direct train connection. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Delhi. Buses travelling from Delhi to Sikar also pass through Nawalgarh. Although the train line to Nawalgarh is built, it is not yet in operation. Both Churu and Jhunjhunu are well-connected to Jaipur, with daily buses and trains available between these stations.
Top 8 Places to Visit in Shekhawati
Here are some major places in Shekhawati, Rajasthan that you can add to your itinerary:
1. Alsisar
Alsisar is a small town about 27 km from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, known for its historic castle, havelis, and cenotaphs. It’s a great spot for adventure and rural activities. Explore Alsisar’s majestic forts and palaces, which showcase beautiful Rajput architecture with detailed frescoes.
Founded in 1783 by Thakur Samarth Singh, Alsisar is renowned for its warm Rajasthani hospitality. Each December, the town hosts the Magnetic Fields Festival at Alsisar Mahal, a popular musical carnival.
2. Ramgarh
Ramgarh Shekhawati is also known as the land of Havelis and it has 100 havelis which are famous for their artistic craftsmanship. A town that lies amidst sand dunes and which was once known as Doosra Kashi is a perfect place to look for antiques and imitation. It is also famous for beautiful paintings and temples, so it is quite calm and perfect for sightseeing.
The region of Shekhawati is packed with marvellous historical and cultural sites to provide a peek into the lives of the ancient Rajas and Maharajas. If you are an architectural and art enthusiast, then this is your chance to see a huge gallery outside.
3. Mahasar
The newly discovered findings in Mahansar’s ‘Sone ki Dukaan’ are quite stunning, with detailed paintings with gold and silver work, depicting Ramayana, Krishna Lila and various avatars of Lord Vishnu.
Another attraction is the Narayan Niwas, an old fort which has been converted into a heritage hotel and which requires preservation but tourists can see the original architecture with steep steps, secret doors, narrow lanes and beautiful arches that remind about the Thakurs and Rajas period.
4. Fatehpur
Fatehpur was founded in 1451 by Fateh Khan, a Muslim Rajput, the art of fresco painting was very popular under the Khimkari rulers and the paintings were the unique mixture of the Rajputana and Mughal styles. The Nadine Le Prince Haveli built in 1802 and renovated by a French artist Nadine Le Prince in 1999 is an excellent example of this artistic change.
Nadine has also set up a cultural centre in Fatehpur to display Indian and French art; other havelis include the Jagannath Singhania and Hanuman Prasad Nevetia Haveli.
5. Dundlodh
Dundlod is a small town in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, famous for its fort and some beautiful havelis. It is a small village located in the Shekhawati region and is a cluster of forts, havelis and step wells. The Dundlod Fort was constructed in 1750 by Keshari Singh and has Rajput and Mughal styles of construction.
The village looks like a museum of sculpture and painting which has been created and has not been altered since then. Dundlod also has a facility for the breeding of Marwari horses which are well-known all over the world. It is also an excellent place for horse lovers since during the Gangaur festival in March, the village organizes a horse show.
6. Mandawa
Jhunjhunu is well connected to other cities and towns in Rajasthan and the nearest town to it is Mandawa which is only 29 Kms away from Jhunjhunu and famous for the beautiful Havelis of Shekhawati region which is known as the largest outdoor art gallery in the world. This magnificent town is located in the Shekhawati region and is a gem of architectural and artistic design.
The architecture of the buildings and the interiors of the homes in Mandawa is like a walk through an open-air museum where the walls and the ceilings are painted with bright colours and beautiful artwork that depict the history of the place.
7. Nawalgarh
Nawalgarh town is situated at a distance of 30 kilometres from Jhunjhunu and has been named after Maharaja Nawal Singh of Shekhawati. This town is a perfect example of Rajput’s work of art as most of the havelis that are built here are magnificent.
Some of the famous havelis are Morarka Haveli, Poddar Haveli and Roop Niwas Haveli. The Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) is another beautiful and rather enigmatic structure, which is built of glass and stone.
8. Patan
Experience the beauty of the small town of Patan in Neem Ka Thana Tehsil, Sikar District in Rajasthan. This village is situated 70 kilometres northeast of Jaipur and boasts of the Patan Mahal which has a magnificent view of a 13th-century fort and the majestic Badal Mahal which is set at a height of 2000 feet above sea level.
Patan Mahal, which is now converted into a heritage hotel managed by Rao Digvijay Singh, has 18 contemporary-styled rooms. The village also has a historical significance, particularly in the battle of Patan where the Marathas revolted against the Mughal Empire and this makes the visitors explore more on the history of the place.
Get Ready for a Rajasthani Vacation!
Want to hear a tale of history and enjoy the authenticity of an artistic town, then look no further and visit Rajasthan’s Shekhawati. Avail offers and tailored trip benefits with Tusk Travel.
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