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The semi arid Thar desert region of Shekhawati combines together numerous
small and medium sized towns and villages that were once inhabited by
people who loved to paint events and scenes on walls. Today, the
Shekhawati region encompasses within its boundaries some extremely
valuable cultural and historical heritage that should be visited before it
gets lost in the dust of time. Below are mentioned some of these places -
some will sound familiar while others alien. Yet, do not make any
judgment based on 'familiarity' since even the remotest of the Shekhawati
destination might spring up a surprise not seen elsewhere in the region.
Famous Shekhawati Places
Nawalgarh
Named after its founder Thakur
Nawal Singh (son of the most successful ruler of Shekhawati, Shardul
Singh), Nawalgarh was a prosperous town in Shekhawati region. Some of the
affluent business clan of India today trace their origin from Nawalgarh.
Prominent among these is the Goenka family. The havelis of the town - Aath
haveli, Murarka Haveli, Khedwal Bhawan, Bhagton ki Haveli and Anandi Lal
Poddar Haveli - are its prime attraction. The frescoes and mural paintings
are extremely attractive and reflect the skills of the workmen who created
them. Other attraction of Nawalgarh is Ganga Mai Temple.
Dundlod
A small village in the
Shekhawati region is known for a small fort built in the 18th century by Kesri Singh, youngest son of Sardul Singh. The fort has a Diwan Khana with
portraits and period furnitures as well as a small library. The fort now
serves as a hotel. Other attractions to be visited here are Tuganram
Goenka Haveli, SatyaNarayan Temple and Jagathia Haveli. This village is 7
kms north of Nawalgarh.
Fatehpur
Established by Fateh Khan, a
Muslim Nawab in 15th century, Fatehpur was captured by the Shekhawat
Rajputs in the 18th century. The place boasts of some of the best fresco
paintings of the region, however, unfortunately, the havelis housing them
are more often locked. The worth seeing havelis in this place are Geori
Shankar Haveli, Mahavir Prasad Goenka Haveli, Nand Lal Devra Haveli and
Jagannath Singhania Haveli. There is also the Jagannath Singhania Chattri
with beautiful garden which is worth visiting.
Ramgarh
Around 20 km from Fatehpur
lies Ramgarh which was founded by a group of affluent Poddar merchant in
the 18th century. The primary attraction of the town is Ram Gopal Poddar
Chhatri that has beautiful scenes of Ramayana painted on its ceilings.
Fresco paintings in Shani Mandir (Saturn Temple) are also eye catchers.
Other attraction of the place include Ganga Temple, Ganes Temple,
Tarachand Ghanshyamdas Poddar Haveli and Baij Nath Ruia Haveli.
Jhunjhunu
Currently a district head
quarter, Jhunjhunu was founded by Kaimkhani Nawabs in the 15th century.
Places worth visiting in this town are Badani Chand Well, Mertani Baori,
Ajit Sagar, Dargah of Kamrud-din Shah, Badal Fort, Khetri Mahal, Bihariji
Temple, Rani Sati Temple and Forest Ganj. The significant havelis of this
place are Modi Haveli, Kaniram Narsingh Das Tiberwala Haveli, MohanDas
Ishwar Das Modi Haveli and Narudin Farooqi Haveli.
Bissau
Nearly 32 km north west of
Jhunjhunu is a small town known as Bissau. The town was founded by Kesri
Singh and has seen numerous ups and down. Important attractions here
include Chhatri of Hammir Singh, Haveli of Girdarilal Sigtia and Motiram
Jasraj Sigtia Haveli. The last one today serves as a junior school.
Mahansar
Around 6 km from Bissau is
another small village, Mahansar which was founded by Nawal Singh in the
18th century. The village does not overflows with attractions, yet some of
the havelis with their fine paintings are worth visiting. Prominent among
these is the Sona ki Dukan Haveli which has exquisite meenakari work to
delight the visitors. Sahaj Ram Poddar Chhatri is also worth visiting.
Mandawa
One of the most visited
destinations in the Shekhawati region, Mandawa came into limelight in the
18th century. It has an imposing fort, Castle Mandawa that serves as a
heritage hotel today. Other attractions of the town include the havelis of
Chokhanias, Goenkas Nevatia & Ladia and Saraf.
Parasrampura
The tiny village preserves
some of the oldest and most beautiful paintings of the Shekhawati region.
The paintings on the inner portion of the dome of Thakur Shardul Singh
cenotaph, Shamji Saraf Haveli and Gopinathji Mandir is worth appreciating.
Sikar
Now a district headquarters,
Sikar was once the largest thikana (feudatory) under the Jaipur State.
Important attractions here are the havelis of Biyani, Murarka, Somani,
Sagarmal Sodhani and Madho Niwas. The Sikar Fort, Jublee Hall, Jain
Temples, Gopinath Temple, Raghunath Temple, Jeen Mata Temple and Madan
Mohan Temple in and around Sikar are also worth visiting.
Mukudgarh
Mukundgarh is a small town
developed around a temple square. The Mukundgarh Fort serves as a heritage
hotel. Tourists can pay a visit to the Kanoria and Ganeriwala Havelis and
also shop for local handicrafts. Mukundgarh is highly known for its brass,
iron scissors and textiles.
Churu
Though Churu does not come in
the Shekhawati region strictly, yet its history of traders and caravan
outpost connects it with other places in Shekhawati. Place worth visiting
here are the Kanhaiya Lal Bagla Haveli, Kothari Haveli, Surana Haveli,
Poddar Haveli, Jain Temple, Balaji Temple, Ganga Temple, Taknet Chhatri
and not to forget the Churu Fort.
Khetri
The second richest feudatory
of the Jaipur state, Khetri was established in the 18th century. Prominent
places worth visiting are Raghunath Temple, Bhopagarh Fort, Panna Lal Sha
ka Talab, Ram Krishna Mission, Sukh Mahal and Hari Singh Temple.
Pilani
This small village gained
prominence as the home of wealthy Birla family. Today, the place is more
known for its educational significance. For tourists sightseeing, there is
BITS museum, Shiva, Ganga, Sarswati Temple and the Panchwati Temple.
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