Places To Visit In Shekhawati Tourists can stay in one of Shekhawati’s heritage hotels, which used to be feudal castles. Many of these historic hotels feature magnificent examples of the region’s painted walls. The true gems of Rajasthan’s open-air art gallery are these.
Shekhawati is located in Rajasthan’s northeastern region. It’s in the middle of the triangle formed by Delhi, Jaipur, and Bikaner. It’s also where the Marwaris call home. Shekhawati is known for her painted Havelis, which represent the region’s rich artistic tradition. Shekhawati refers to the Sheiks’ homeland. It was named after Rao Shekha, a branch of the Jaipur Kachhwaha family who ruled from 1433 to 1488 AD. It now includes the districts of Jhunjhunu and Sikar, which were previously part of the former Jaipur state.
The languages spoken here include Hindi, Rajasthani, and Marwari. Due to the British Raj’s influence on Indian society, new motifs emerged around the turn of the nineteenth century. Trains, automobiles, balloons, telephones, gramophones, portraits of Englishmen dressed in hunting garb and their memsahibs, some walking their dogs, Portraits of the haveli owners were painted all over the walls, and others engaged in needlework. The Shekhawati frescoes had degenerated by 1930, causing the Marwari families to migrate.
The murals, as well as several other works of art, were further damaged. Tourists can stay in one of Shekhawati’s heritage hotels, which were once feudal castles. Many of these historic hotels feature magnificent examples of the region’s painted walls. The true gems of Rajasthan’s open-air art gallery are these. Mandawa, Lachhmangarh, Fatehpur, and Khatu Shyamji are some of the major cities in Shekhawati, Shakainbari, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Nawalgarh, Mukundgarh, Chirawa, Dundlod, and Pilani are among the towns in the state of Jhunjhunu.
Mandawa is the heart of the Shekhawati region and was founded in the 18th century. The Chokhani and Ladia Havelis, as well as the Saraf Havelis, are some of Mandawa’s most stunning Havelis. Also worth seeing is a Shiva temple with a rock crystal lingam. Places To Visit In Shekhawati is dominated by a mediaeval fort. The painted arched gateway of this fort is decorated with Lord Krishna and his cows. The fort has been transformed into a historic hotel.
Nawalgarh
In the Shekhawati region, Nawalgarh was a wealthy town. This city was founded by Thakur Nawal Singh, and it gets its name from him. Shardul Singh’s son, Thakur Nawal Singh, is thought to be his father (most successful ruler of Shekhawati). The Aath Haveli, Murarka Haveli, Khedwal Bhawan, and Bhagton ki Haveli are just a few of the havelis in Nawalgarh, Anandi Lal Poddar Haveli and Anandi Lal Poddar Haveli are two of Nawalgarh’s most popular tourist attractions.
Attractive frescoes and mural paintings are breathtaking and showcase the artistry of the artisans who created them. Aside from that, Nawalgarh‘s Ganga Mai is a popular tourist attraction. The goddess Ganga is honoured in this temple. The stunning interior and beautifully carved structure are worth seeing. The upper dome (mandapa) is decorated with numerous paintings, Places To Visit In Shekhawati.
Laxmangarh Fort
Laxmangarh Fort is a ruined old fort on a hill in Laxmangarh, about 30 kilometres from Sikar. The fort is situated on the western outskirts of Laxmangarh. Rao Raja Laxman Singh of Sikar constructed it in 1862. He built this fort to protect Laxmangarh from Kan Singh Saledhi’s attacks. The fort’s architecture is unique in that it is built on strewn pieces of massive rocks in the Shekhawati style.
The frescoes are the fort’s main attraction. In the fort, there is a ramp. Bansidhar Rathi Haveli, Sawant Ram Chokhani Haveli, Mirijamal Kyala Haveli, and Sanganeria Haveli are among the many havelis in Laxmangarh that are close to the fort, Every year, a large number of visitors visit Kedia Haveli and Char Chowk Haveli.
The Sawant Ram Chokhani Haveli, Bansidhar Rathi Haveli, Sanganeria Haveli, Mirijamal Kyala Haveli, Char Chowk Haveli, and Kedia Haveli are among the many mansions in Laxmangarh. There is a well-known temple, namely The Radhi Murlimanohar temple was built in 1845 and is richly decorated with sculptures and frescos. There are numerous Havelis in the town, including the Radhi Murlimanohar temple, which was built in 1845 and is known for its magnificent deity sculptures on the walls, Places To Visit In Shekhawati.
Sethani Ka Johara
The Sethani Ka Johara has always transported visitors back in time by displaying the courage and valour of warrior women. Sethani ka Johara is a reservoir in Shekhawati, west of Churu. The havelis in Shekhawati were all erected between the 18th and early 20th centuries. A widow of Bhagwan das Bagla created this reservoir in 1899. It was the best Johara in the region, with plenty of water in it. This lovely Johara attracts not only humans, but also a large number of birds. This tranquil location is ideal for spending an evening while watching a beautiful sunset. The reflection of architecture in the water can actually be seen.
Tal Chappar sanctuary
The Rajasthan “Tal Chappar sanctuary,” located in the Churu district of Rajasthan and 250 kilometres from Jaipur, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Shekhawati region. It is well-known for its beautiful birds, including the Blackbug and other species. The name of this Sanctuary was inspired by the village of Chhapar. Open grassland and scattered Acacia and Prosopis trees cover the entire sanctuary.
Montagu’s harrier, marsh harrier, pale harrier, imperial eagle, tawny eagle, short-toed eagle, sparrow hawk, Skylark, crested lark, ring drove, brown dove, blue jay, southern grey shrike, and other migratory birds visit this refuge in September. Places To Visit In Shekhawati, Within the refuge, there are two rest houses. It is an ideal residence for bird lovers. The desert fox and desert cat can both be seen here. It has become a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
Khetri Mahal
Khetri Mahal, also known as Jhunjhunu‘s wind palace, is proudly located in the Khetri. Despite the fact that this Mahal has no windows, it is known as a wind palace. The wind flow will actually give you a relaxing feeling while exploring this Mahal. The majority of the rooms are linked by arched portals. This Mahal was constructed in 1770.
The terrace provides a breathtaking view of the entire region’s buildings. It was known for its paintings and murals, and now only fragments of these paintings can be seen in Thakurs’ private chamber. The structure of the Khetri Mahal is unlike any other structure in the region. The massive Badalgarh Fort can be seen from Khetri Mahal, which was built in the early 16th century. Pinkish plaster covers a considerable part of the Taj Mahal.
Mandawa
Mandawa is a lovely town in the Shekhawati district. It is situated 190 kilometres from Rajasthan’s capital, Jaipur. Forts and Havelis abound in this town. It was once a major trading hub for imports from China and the Middle East. There are references to Mandawa’s founder as well as Mandu Jat. This place was known as ‘Mandu ki Dhani’, ‘Mandu ka Bas’ or ‘Manduwas’ which changed to ‘Manduwa’, ‘Mandwa’ and finally to ‘Mandawa’.
Thakur Nawal Singh was the ruler of both Nawalgarh and Mandawa, and he built the magnificent Mandawa fort in the heart of the town. Currently, this fort serves as a historic hotel. The fort’s gateway is decorated with paintings of Lord Krishna and his cows, allowing visitors to step into the era of Lord Krishna.
Dundlod
Dundlod is a village in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district. By road, the village is accessible from Delhi, Bikaner, and Jaipur. Dundlod is known for its forts and havelis, which are richly frescoed and decorated. Dundlod Fort is a huge Rajputana fort built by Keshari Singh in 1750 and later expanded by Sheo Singh in the nineteenth century. Ram Dutt’s lovely Chhatri Built in 1888, Goenka is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.
The dome of the chhatri has beautifully carved floral motifs. The Mahabharata war panorama is depicted in the inner base paintings. Apart from the Chhatri, the Goenka family erected the Satyanarayan Temple. Dundlod fort is also known as the most perfect fusion of Rajput and Mughal art. The Zenana quarters are on the first floor, with furniture and exquisite décor, and the Diwan-e-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) is decorated with fine antiques and an impressive library.
Best time to visit Shekhawati:
You can visit Shekhawati at any time of year, but winter is the best time to go. Winter temperatures are pleasant, making it an excellent time to go sightseeing. From October to December is the best time to visit Shekhawati.
Otherwise, you can visit Shekhawati in March and enjoy mild temperatures. Shekhawati experiences temperatures ranging from 5°C to 28°C during the winter months (November to February). However, excessive heat can be found during the summer, with temperatures reaching up to 45°C.
You can also visit Shekhawati during the monsoon season (July-September) to enjoy the cool breeze and pleasant climate. Check out Rajasthan Tours’ Rajasthan Tour Packages to plan your heritage tours to the state’s most scenic places, including Places To Visit In Shekhawati.
How to reach Shekhawati?
Shekhawati is well connected to the main cities of North India by rail, road, and air. Shekhawati is 250 kilometres from Delhi, and the distance between Shekhawati and Jaipur is approximately 150 kilometres.
Shekhawati’s closest airport is Sanganer Airport in Jaipur. However, you can fly to New Delhi and then take a second flight to Shekhawati. You can also travel by rail from Delhi to Shekhawati, which will take 4 to 5 hours at most.
If you want to get to Shekhawati by car, take State Highways 8, 37, or 41. Delhi, Jaipur, and Bikaner are all accessible via these roads. To get to Shekhawati, people can easily book state transportation buses. If not, simply fly or train to Delhi and then take a taxi to Shekhawati.
In India, people generally avoid highways and roadways because they will take a long time due to poor road conditions. However, the operation is smooth, and the road conditions on such roads between Jaipur and Delhi are excellent. People from Delhi tend to visit Shekhawati during their weekends because it is just 4-5 hours by road from Delhi.
It is recommended that you book your train tickets online and always check the timetable or schedules of such trains before you book. Because Jaipur and Delhi airports are well connected with international cities, Shekhawati is well connected with them.
